Work

About 1 month ago I was asked to give a talk in church about having Faith in the Lord and trusting in his timing and will instead of our own. I decided to use my jobless summer as an example of how I have learned to trust the Lord more because he knows whats best. I must have sounded woe-is-me, because after the talk I had about 12 people approach me with job opportunities, ideas, subbing options, and different names of teachers that they wanted me to meet. Needless to say, I left bad because I clearly gave my talk wrong, but I was very grateful because so many new doors were opening to me.
I started nannying for a family in the ward every Tuesday-Thursday. It pays ridiculously well, is super easy, and is around the corner so I do not have to drive. I am really grateful for the opportunity to earn some money AND have something to do all day. I have gotten to the point that I actually like free time again!! It is a weird feeling.
Along side that I have also started subbing and I LOVE IT!!!! I am so grateful that I do not have my own classroom (because I love the flexibility) but I love still being able to teach.
I most recently taught 7th grade English and it was like I died and went to heaven. For those of you who don't know, I considered English for a few years, I sorta wish I would have pursued it, because I love classroom teaching. We read stories, discussed them, I answered questions about papers etc. It was so much fun too because the teacher actually left me with things to do!! All in all, my experience was amazing and I have already set up more time with this specific teacher.
This work is not what I had planned at all, but I am so grateful for the source of money that I am making. I can sub every Mondays and Fridays and then help the family out Tuesday-Thursday. It is nice to also be able to still exercise and help family members when needed. Just wanted to let everyone know about the good news!!

Arizona

Over Labor day weekend, Ethan and I took a trip down to Phoenix AZ to visit his Aunt Kay. Ethan got his birthday off of work as well as labor day and so he took two more days and we had a 5 day vacation. It was the first vacation that we have taken together excluding Spokane trips, and my goodness did we have fun!! The weather was hot, but surprise... its Phoenix!!! Luckily there was a lot of cloud coverage so even though it was 105
we didnt have the sun beating on us and so it was completely bearable to be outside. Every morning we also woke up at 5 to exercise because we had to beat the heat of the sun.
The first day we went to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens and I got to see my first cactus (minus the 100s that we passed getting there). Afterwards we went home and vacationed!! We read, swam, ate really good food, and played Ethan's new game Dominion which he received for his birthday. We also went on a morning hike in the preserves, visited Aunt Kay's PT office, and went to a delicious Mexican dinner.
The second day we went on a 5:30 bike ride along the canal and went running on the tread mills in Aunt Kays office. Afterwards, the girls went and did girl things (aka Pedicures, shopping, lunch) and Ethan stayed and watched BYU beat Ole Miss. (don't worry... I was getting constant updates from multiple sources) That night we went to the movie The Help and got $1 large drinks and popcorn because Aunt Kay wore her movie t-shirt. Sweet hookups
On Sunday we got together with Ethan's friend Sean Vanhill and played 3 games of Dominion and had a tour of downtown Phoenix.
Monday morning we woke up at 5 and rode our bikes to Tempe and rode the train back. This was our favorite day because the ride was so beautiful. Tempe Town Lake was gorgeous, we found an oasis along the trail, and stopped at an amazing breakfast cafe. After we all got home swam, and took naps, Ethan and I then went to the Phoenix Art Museum followed by an ice cream sundae at a place called Mary Colldes. Their peppermint ice cream was to die for!!!
It was a great vacation and action packed. Phoenix was everything I expected/hoped. It was hot, sunny, and red. It is different than anywhere I have ever been but just as beautiful in its own way. I have never seen a prettier drive than getting to Phoenix. The red rocks are incredible and crossing the Colorado river was so much fun!! We tried to stop at the Grand Canyon but simply ran out of time.

Day 6

Cami and I thought it would be a good idea to start a blog. We thought it would be fun to keep people up-to-date with what we were doing; after the first post we were both excited to get started. When we first started the blog, Cami told me that she didn't want to be the only one doing all the work, kind of like what a mother says to her son when the son starts a paper route. "Don't worry," I said. "I am a natural writer--I will constantly be updating our blog with witty, insightful posts." A little more than a year later I am making my first submission.

This example highlights a theme of our marriage: many of my well intentioned family activities begin with complete resolve. However, after my enthusiasm wanes, Cami is left shouldering the daily load. I might feel bad if she didn't always excel without me. Our blog has great pictures, excellent writing, and wallpaper in the background. I'm not quite sure what I can bring the to the blogging table.

This week Cami is in Spokane. Today is Day 6 of me being a bachelor again. Being alone at home has made me realize how much more Cami does without me noticing. Luckily, Cami isn't so naive. Below are some instructions Cami left so I don't destroy things while she is gone.




These instructions have proven very helpful. Apparently, being a bachelor is not at all what I remember. Cami has made my life better in so many different ways. She is one great example. Indeed, spending 6 days away from her has made me appreciate the 580 that we have been together.

Things Ive made

As you all know, I have had a lot more free time this summer than I anticipated. I decided to take the time to try making new things that I have never had time for before now. Here are a few things that I have made.
Our supper little, supper cool charcoal BBQ!!!
A sorting hat cake for my sister in laws b-day. It was cooler in person, but this is the best photo
This flirty apron. I got the pattern on line for free so I was really excited. I have never really made anything like this sewing wise so it was a huge accomplishment. Ruffles are hard work!!!
We also recently went to Kennicot Copper mine which was pretty cool.

Utah 4th of July (Aka the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)

Living in Utah, sometimes people believe that the 2nd and 3rd of July is actually the 4th of July. I understand when the 4th is on a Sunday, but this year it wasn't and we still celebrated the 2nd and 3rd of July. Go figure.
Because surprising detail that we did not know about, Ethan and I missed a few events that we were planning on attending such as the C-Ville 4th of July parade, which was in fact on the 2nd of July!!! Luckily with the 4th being celebrated on so many days and so many citizens confused on which day the 4th is actually to be celebrated,
we were able to party hard all weekend, see multiple firework shows, attend multiple BBQs, and see all family members that currently live in Utah.

On the 1st we traveled down to Provo and got to party with Ethan's aunt Kay which is always a delight. Ethan also got off work a little earlier to kick off the 3 day weekend even sooner.

On Saturday the 2nd we went to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Provo, hit up all the Farmers markets, went to the Center Street Freedom festival where we purchased our awesome new sunglasses, and then had an awesome BBQ with the Wing clan including a water balloon fight with Ethan's adorable nephew Holden. (He basically just sprayed us with the hose and would ask us why we were running away!!) To close the night we watched the Stadium of Fire from Grandma Wings backyard and got to avoid all the traffic!!! Great 2nd of July.

On the 3rd of July we had a small firework show in West Valley City with my Brother Scott and his adorable family. We only had a few casualties aka Ethan got hit in the chest with a crazy "Gun burst" and I had to dive to avoid a faulty firework. All said and done... a very successful show. Scott's son Carson recognized that some of the fireworks were strictly green and red and kept shouting "CHRISTMAS"!!! Wrong holiday buddy. In honor of Kansas, we also made Karolyn's delicious Kansas corn which is so bad for you but the best thing I have ever EVER EATEN!!!!


And now the 4th....
Ethan and I started the day with a red white and blue homemade waffle breakfast courtesy of Ethan and ate this while we watched the West Wing.
We then gave Ethan a hair cut while learning trivia about the Deceleration of Independence, we went on a "Freedom 5k" hosted by us, and then got ready for a BBQ with Scott and Karolyn where Scott prepared ribs and briquette for 6 hours. Some of the best meat I have ever
had!!!!The night was concluded by joining the rest of Salt Lake City at Sugar House park for a firework show.
I think it is weird that the 4th is celebrated on 4 different days, but it sure makes for a fantastic weekend!!!The griller hard at work... with the final results!! It only took him 6 hours and tasted DELICIOUS!!!
The fireworks were louder than expected!

Summer...so far

This summer Ethan and I have been so so SO excited to give up the studying and homework and have free weekends and weeknights. Completely free. We don't even have callings yet, so basically Ethan goes to work and then we can do whatever we want!!! It is fantastic, but we also know it is temporary and so we are trying to live it up as much as we can. We also live in a beautiful area with tons of canyons and hikes available and so we are trying to take advantage of the situation.
So far we have hiked to places like Doughnut Falls and the Living Room. We take our camera with us when ever we hike, but it keeps dying on us and we forget to charge it (my bad) and so we have pics of only one hike, Doughnut falls, but it is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Look closely because yes there is still snow in the woods. The water was freeze and crystal clear. It was really really fun.
So sorta a long blog for these pics, but enjoy!! this is our life now!



OH PS our air conditioning stopped working temporarily and this was our temporary solution.

Half Marathon

I finally ran a half marathon. I got 2nd in my age group, 38th overall women, and 118th out of 2,000. I ran it in 1hour and 40 min which was my goal!!. It was so much fun but I don't know how people do that two times in a row for a full!!!Crazy peopleThis is mile 11. I promise I was not this happy because for the last two miles you could see the finish line, but it never got closer. I only was excited because I finally saw Ethan cheering for me and he was trying to run with me to take a picture. It was really funny