(On moving day into our new apartment in Orlando)

Whoa, I know...you are seeing right.  

It's me! 

I always hate when people post about "how they haven't posted in forever and that they are totally going to start blogging again...be prepared for pictures" crap.  And now that is totally me...and was me in June when I last posted.  So sorry about that.

I would love to lie to you and say that I have been so busy that I haven't had a second to post on the blog.  But that would be false.  I have a few seconds...here and there...to post but instead I have been sitting on my rear reading my Kindle and catching up on my TV shows.  To be honest, my down-time is very limited and to use my brain power to type sentences that make sense, use semi-accurate grammar and tell the details of my life seem absolutely overwhelming, if not like a chore more than anything.

I know I need to suck it up and just do it, so after a long Sunday, a rare nap and a yummy dinner here I am ready to give you all an update.

   Ryan is kicking butt at Grad school, just like I knew he would.  Because of BYU's stellar undergrad program, Ryan will graduate August of THIS YEAR!!  Miracle of miracles!  

So he will have gotten his Master's Degree in one year instead of two.  

Since his fellowship pays for his schooling, expenses and gives him a stipend we will have paid a whopping $0 for Grad school for him.  Shut the front door.  The stipend has allowed us to pay off all of our debts and helps supplement the ridiculous rent (compared to free rent in Provo), utilities and gas.  It is a huge blessing and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for that blessing.  

Ryan is getting published, which is pretty big news and great for the resume.  We are now applying for jobs and contemplating having Ryan do an MBA after working for a few years.  A brain like his should not go to waste and I know he plans on going places and I am so proud of him!

Ryan is not only doing full-time school, but works for the university as well...and has been the Executive Secretary of our ward for quite a few months now.  He is stellar at his calling.  He LOVES the youth and wishes he could spend all of his time with them and manages to sneak into activities and spend some quality time with them when he can.  

He continues to be an example of true charity and service to me everyday.

Example: I spent Saturday at Youth Conference.  Came home and the house was completely clean.  Floors scrubbed, kitchen clean, toilets gleaming.  He said that he just wanted me to come home and be able to relax and not have to worry about the house.  Come on now.  If that isn't true love is than I don't know what is.

I could tell you a million more Ryan stories but I don't want people to start gagging.

I'll just say I am more in love with my best friend everyday.

I keep myself busy trying not a catch a crazy disease at work.  I work for Infectious Disease doctors who all rotate at the local hospitals.  I actually enjoy what I do.  I am good at what I do...when my brain is functioning, that is.  

We see a crazy gamut of patients...some of which have HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, MRSA, C-Diff...the list is truly endless. It is humbling and frightening at the same time.  Most of these patients either made a life choice that ended them in this position, or were sick in the hospital and caught something else during their hospital stay.  I still love the medical field and feel drawn to it naturally, but have yet to decide my ultimate career path.

Once Ryan gets a job, back to school I go.  For what?  That is a mystery to me still, but perhaps once I jump back in to my studies, that detail will eventually be made known to me.  In the meantime I am happy to be supporting my family.

Most of my time is spent at work or commuting to and from work, but my head is with my young women.  Always.  There are few moments of the day when I am not thinking, praying or talking about them.  I don't have children but I can see how parents can't stop talking about their children and just focus on themselves during a date because Ryan and I talk about them all of the time.  Though my stress level is at an all-time high, I wouldn't have it any other way.  

My young women are amazing.  Inspiring. Courageous.  

Did I want to curl up into a ball and never get out of bed when I got the call?  Yes. 

Was I worried about my age?  What other people thought of me and my age?  Yes

Did I know how to be a Young Women's President?  No.  H No.

But here I am.  The Lord has sustained me, of that I am certain.  I could not do what I do without the help of the Lord.  These girls are so impressionable and their salvation weighs heavily on my soul. 

I remember being their age, obviously not too long ago.  It is still fresh to me.  I use that to my advantage.  That advantage sometimes scares me as I wonder, how did I make it to where I am today?  Yes, I had amazing Young Women's leaders over the years.  But my decisions to have a testimony and  marry in the temple were mine.  My parents were numero uno in my book for examples, then came leaders, and friends.  I just hope and pray that we are giving the girls spiritual experiences that allow them to feel the spirit, grow their testimonies and make decisions that will bring them lasting happiness.

Am I the greatest Young Women's President?  Obviously no.

Will I ever be the greatest?  No

Do I hope to make a difference in the lives of these girls?  Every day.

So to sum it up...life is wonderful.     

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Forgive me friends, for I have been a bad blogger.

Since Ryan and I have been home, our camera battery has died and I have been dreading digging through the bajillion boxes of our crap to figure out where the battery charger is.  I know I put it somewhere I would find easily...just can't remember where.  Genius huh.  Also missing is the crucial chord that uploads all the pictures into the computer.  Hence no pictures on the blog in a month.  I already had the graduation ones uploaded so at least you got those, but I promise my lazy streak is going to end...soon.

I will tell you though life has been grand.  The sun has been shining (high in the 80s almost everyday!) the beach has been beautiful, and I have officially lost that Utah I-never-see-the-sun glow. Ryan and I have both been working side jobs here and there as well as taking care of our house-sitting duties.  Let me tell you.  House-sitting is going to be my career the bomb.  Seriously.  We already house-sat for a family for about a week.  They had a full-blown movie room with lazyboy recliners, projector, a fabulous pool/spa, beautiful master bath with rain shower and jet tub, and a gorgeous kitchen filled with everything you could ever need.  Glorious!  I read books, swam, enjoyed the sun and watched their two cute dogs as well.  Not too shabby of a life, if I do say so myself.  Unfortunately the dogs have a bowel problem, but nothing that a little paper-towel/clorox action can't fix.  As soon as we were done with that house we headed over to a very exclusive gated community on the river to our next home.  This house is huge and has all the amenities a young couple would ever need.  We are taking care of their fish tank as well and helping to host a french family for two weeks while they are here on house exchange.  The family we are house-siting for will be in their house for a few weeks in France.  Very exciting!  I can't wait to pick the frenchie's brains about France and Europe!  One huge perk of this house-sitting situation...using their boat.  We haven't taken it out yet, but we have to do a test run soon because we plan on giving the frenchies a tour around the river while they are here.  I'll let you know how that goes.

Pictures coming soon.  Promise!  

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The end of the semester was a sad/exciting/stressful time for us.  It was the end of our FHE group...very sad... 

 ...A time for celebration of accomplishments...

 ...For two of my most favorite people ever....

 ...Lots of proud moments and happy tears...

 ...And sad tears for my Volvo...

 ...And the bill that accompanied those tears...

...Sad/happy and extremely grateful tears for the first place we ever lived together as a couple and where we made some of the sweetest, most precious memories of our married life together.  The last month has been a whirlwind, but has also been some of the most memorable times of our lives.  Everything is new and nothing is certain and it's just freaking exciting.  For our Utah family, you know who you are, we love you and miss you and think of you always. 

Bye bye Utah...hello adventure!

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Ok so the last thing I should be doing tonight is blogging, but I wanted to post Ryan's video before we got on the road.  Minus my volvo crapping out on us at the very last second the move is going quite well.  Just send up some good prayers that the volvo will get fixed asap. 
We need it! 

Anyway...Ryan is a complete stud and for most of you reading this post you have already seen this video posted on facebook, but for those of you in the blogosphere that I don't know you should check out this amazingly romantic song my husband wrote.  It just fits perfectly with our timing of heading back to our swimsuit weather.  Enjoy!



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Life is crazy right now, to say the least. 

I have less than one week left at my job, our entire apartment to pack up, cars that need oil changes and tire rotations before a 2500 mile trek, Ryan is in the midst of finals, then 21 days until we step foot on FL soil, 16 days until we meet Macie, 9 days until graduation and 8 days til my momma gets here!  Phew! 

I have been mildly stressing out about a number of things.  I have a terrible habit of worrying about things that are out of my control at the time, but then when I have time/means to do something about it I am "too tired" or "too whiny" to do them.  Story of my life.  5pm rolls around and as long as my rear does not touch a couch or a bed I am good.  As soon as it does it's game over. 

I've decided that packing before my mom gets here is a perfectly good waste of time.  Ryan and I want to spend the last 3 weeks we have here enjoying our friends, relaxing in the hot tub, going on walks and enjoying the last of our completely private life before we move in (temporarily, mind you.) with the 'rents.  So I'm leaving it up to my super-human husband and I to pack everything we own within 3 days. 

Yesterday I was having one-of-those days.  Not that my world was collapsing around me or anything, just that I kinda felt like it was and I wanted to complain like it was, even though I knew it wasn't.  Momma H was kind enough to listen to my babbling and give me some fabulous advice.  Basically in a nutshell she told me to simmer-down and stop worrying so much...but much more eloquently.  And for some reason hearing it from her made me do just that.  I actually started to relax.  I made a yummy dinner, we sat in the hot tub and then watched Castle.  I did complain about my teeth a bit, but the whining was definitely at a minimum.  Dang you candy old lady, sensitive teeth.  Anywho, I'm going to take my momma's advice and not worry about boxes and packing tape, big mirrors breaking in the move, cars potentially breaking down, funds that will soon be drying up, and deadlines that will be soon coming.  Instead I will spend the evening with friends at the temple doing sealings and counting my many blessings. 

Thanks mom.

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I look forward to General Conference every year and this year was especially exciting because it was our last chance to go to conference before our big move.  We invited Steffi and Ephraim to come with us.  This is where we watched the first session...in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building chapel.  The architecture is stunning.

After a delicious lunch of Olive Garden we made our way through the masses to the Conference Center.

This is Steffi and Ephraim's last trip to conference too before they go back to Switzerland!  Don't worry guys...we will be coming for an extended visit :)

Not too bad of a shot for just a digital camera.  I'm not the best photographer but I'm glad i got this shot!  I will miss the Salt Lake temple.  It's so stunning in person and it really makes you think about the sacrifices made to build such a magnificent building.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't suppose to be taking pictures but my flash was off and I was being discrete.  It's really hard to make out but that is President Monson coming in 10 minutes before the meeting.  My favorite part is seeing everyone stand and get completely silent and watch the prophet of the Lord walk into the conference.  It's a great feeling to know we are lead by an inspired man.

Thanks for the great seats Dad!  One of the perks for my Dad's tireless efforts as a Stake President is good tickets...and a parking pass.  I have to say I'm sad we won't be able to be there next October, but I think I'll take listening to conference in my PJs ok too.

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It's official...our Branbury duties are over.  March was our last working month and now we are home free!  We seriously don't know what to do with ourselves and all of our free time now that our nights are free.  We had to snap a few pictures for posterity sake so we can always remember our seemingly endless nights at the Clubhouse. 

10 points for me for actually staying to close up until 11pm.  10,000 points for Ryan who ALWAYS stayed to close up at 11pm.  Not going to miss those late nights that is for sure.

Working hard...or hardly working?  Hmmm...

Annie is another awesome RA who, like me, doesn't take crap from the residents :) haha

Now he's working :)

Bye Bye Branbury!  See ya lata!

Now time to book it out of there! Hahaha.  What would we have done without reduced rent?  I seriously have no idea.  Our American Express thanks you Branbury.

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