November Update

The last semester is nearing...only 3 more weeks until graduation! To say we are excited would be an understatement! My 23rd birthday was this weekend (the 29th) and Jonny of course spoiled me well! He had to go to to Utah for a work trip so I went along and when he was done I got to shop a little, then he took me to dinner and we walked around temple square and saw the gorgeous Christmas lights all set up! It was a fun get away and boost for the last few weeks we have to get through. I am so lucky to have such a sweet husband! Now back in Rexburg and ready to finish this school up and start studying hard for the NCLEX-RN exam. 

More pictures to come when I'm finally finished! :) 

Emilee

The End is in Sight!

I just (finally) finished my 3rd semester of nursing at BYU-Idaho. Only 1 more semester to go! I have survived the summer alone in Idaho with my hubby working in NC and am so excited to see him in 10 days. It is weird to finally have a break from school (7 weeks). This is my first real break since starting the nursing program last September and I kinda don't know what to do with myself! It was definitely needed to recuperate though!

My sister's wedding is fast approaching--August 8th. We are so excited for her and her fiance, Ryan, to enjoy wedded bliss! The family and I just finished throwing Caroline's bridal shower last weekend and Mom, Meagan, Caroline and I will be heading to Vegas this Thursday as a weekend bachelorette trip! On the itinerary is a Celine Dion concert, Tournament of Kings Dinner Show, Fremont St., shopping and a few roller coasters!

I think spending the summer apart from Jonny has given us both new, unique perspective on our relationship and although lonely at times (and I wouldn't want to do it again), it was definitely worth it to step back and re-gain our independence. It's true what they say: absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Can't wait to see him again!

<3 Emilee

May Update :)

Almost half way done with the 3rd semester of Nursing! I'm feeling BURNT OUT! 

This past weekend I flew to visit Jonny in NC and that was really fun...

Some things we did:

Mami Nora's famous rotessirie chicken and rice 

Sun bathing/napping by the pool with Cook-Out milkshakes

A trip to Angus Barn (best steak you'll ever have!)

Shopping & Pedicures 

(it's especially nice having a husband who loves pampering as much as you do!)

2 trips to the movie theater

Lots of cuddling!

This weekend was much needed and so fun that I seriously contemplated not coming back to Idaho! 

Luckily I did though...Two tests to study for this week! It gets lonely not having your husband around but time makes the heart grow fonder (no lie) and I will be back in NC in August after my sister's wedding! So grateful for some nice weather here in Idaho finally though. One of these days I'll get around to making a post that's simply full of pictures from the last year of my life... let's be honest it probably won't happen until we graduate! 

Til' Next Time!

Emilee

Monday Schmonday

It's Monday and surprisingly I have a bit of spare time, so I suppose it's time for another post. It's only been 5 months... :) Without further adieu, here's a quick Jonny and Emilee update:

Jonny: finished IBC program, now finishing up his toughest semester. Has one left this Fall and he will be done! Shouldn't be a bad one since he'll just be taking his last 4 credits. This Spring semester we're in ends in about 5 weeks and we will both be taking a fun weekend trip to NYC as a breather before he leaves for the summer to go back to Moxie.

Emilee: In about 5 weeks I will officially be halfway done with nursing school! Phew, that half way mark has got to feel good. It better! Doing pretty well so far, not so proud about my ways of dealing with stress, but I just keep looking forward to December and getting to walk with Jonny at graduation. Then, hopefully, within the next few months, we will be out of Rexburg, I will *fingers crossed* pass the NCLEX, be getting an awesome RN job, and we will finally be able to settle down somewhere for more than a 6 month period.

Short yet sweet...
Hope everyone has a great week!

Emi

Vending machines, Caffeine, and Dry Shampoo...

Somehow I let the last several months get away from me. We arrived in NC in April and got back to Idaho for school the end of August this year. It was a great summer overall. We managed to throw in a couple of fun trips, one being Myrtle beach, where I was able to meet up with a best friend from the good ol' NC mountains that I hadn't seen in a year! I love you Haley! I worked in the office again and Jonny did an awesome job selling pest control like he always does :) This coming Summer of 2014 he will be doing a lot less selling door-to-door and will be doing a lot more training. He's moving up in the world! ;) He's such a hard worker and I know most of the blessings we enjoy as a couple are because of him and his time spent sacrificing for others.
Jonny has just started his IBC program here at BYU-Idaho this Fall where different groups create several businesses and have to try their best to make them successful. His business is custom framing and matting. In fact, for our 2nd anniversary on October 14th, he had a photo of me from Hawaii framed. It was super sweet and I loved seeing a crafty side of him! Did I forget to mention he took me to Hawaii this year? Whoops, I'll have to make a separate post for that trip. It was super fun!
So, I have been in the nursing program for about 6 weeks now and it's definitely a love-hate relationship. I love learning all about the human body and how to aid others in returning to health, but the time spent at school feels extremely excessive! There are at least 2 or 3 days a week where I spend nearly 12 hours on campus-this is where it becomes really hard to eat healthy! Vending machines and caffeine are my two best friends! My hair also spends most of it's time in a ponytail. I'm embarrassed to admit that there may or may not have been a 3-day period where it didn't come out of the ponytail. Gross, I know. But dry shampoo is a magical potion and it works wonders. The program consists of about 42 people total, and that's pretty small. It sure is nice when it comes to making friends and having study partners though (very good considering there are 2-3 tests per week)! Like I said, I love it, but I'm already looking for the light at the end of the tunnel...a.k.a. December 2014. I can do this! And now I can't afford to write anymore because the fact that I still have several flash cards to write is encompassing my brain.

Thanks for reading!

30-some odd hours to go!

Phew, the semester is over! Thank goodness! Technically I still have one final left to take...but alas, all will be done by the end of the night. Then it's just, oh you know, 30-some odd hours till we arrive in North Carolina for the summer again. I've been quite the horrible blogger. I hope to be better this summer. I have to brag about Jonny a little bit here. He has been such a good husband! No bias here though. I've been especially impressed with how he's been able to juggle school (super hard classes like accounting) and all of the responsibility that comes with being a regional manager for Moxie Pest Control! We just finished moving out of our apartment on campus today and are staying with my parents for the weekend before we take off Monday morning. Jonny's getting a crown! Ouch! I think he hates that I force him to go to the dentist! I'm also pretty proud of the fact that instead of doing our move-out cleaning, we hired someone to do it. That'll take a load off. :) So off we go in a couple of days....both driving separate cars, from Idaho to North Carolina. Joy!

Em

About Time

I guess it's about time I do another posting. The semester is going great for both Jonny and I.

2 1/2 weeks to go and I have a 99.7 in my Anatomy 265 class, so that's pretty exciting, considering I feel like this second half of Anatomy has been a lot harder than 264. Two and a half more weeks....that's what I keep telling myself! I'm still working as a Phlebotomist on campus, and once a month I supervise foster children during Foster-parent training meetings. $80 for two hours...that covers my hair and treat expenses ;) I was also offered a 3rd job yesterday--to start working as a CNA again at an Assisted Living Center in Rigby. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it.

 Also, I find it necessary to mention that I will be taking my 3 classes next semester ONLINE, so that I can finally attend a free 4-day cruise with my husband--which I have now been left out of a total of 2 times. Forget school, I'm going to FL in February! Tickets purchased and everything :)

For our anniversary, Jonny was super sweet and got me another wedding ring. I know it sounds crazy. But, its so nice to be able to alternate and not hit my especially-nice ring all over the place like I normally do. Also, it is SO much easier to put gloves on and off at work. Here's a picture:

Jonny justifies it as a pre-nursing gift :D

We are definitely on a Thanksgiving-break high right now. Today was the last day of classes until Monday. Our Mellor grandparents are in town! They were called to the Reno, Nevada Mission, and on their way to the MTC, they stopped by to see each family on the way across the country. We're lucky to have them with us for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was never the same here in Idaho without them. All of my memorable Thanksgivings were definitely spent in North Carolina. Here's a goofy but awesome picture of them:

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to be grateful for everything you have!

What we Stevens are up to!

Well, Jonny and I have been back in Rexburg for over a month now and we are still getting settled in! Our apartment is much smaller than last time, which is a bummer, but we are now directly across from campus and its pretty sweet getting to wake up late and just run over to class real quick.

I am happy to announce that I am finally putting my Phlebotomy certification to use-- I'm working as a Phlebotomist and a Lab Assistant at the BYU-Idaho Student Health Center, which is right on campus. It's super convenient since I can just leave class and walk over to the health center to work for a few hours every day.

I'm finally over my fear of needles- the whole reason I decided to get trained in Phlebotomy in the first place! And by over my fear of needles, I guess I mean I'm over the fear of the simple drawing needles. I don't think I could go much bigger than that! I get to run all sorts of fun tests on blood, serum, and urine; I get to give the sweet news to couples that they're pregnant, and let them know when they're due! It is so fun- I love it! I don't think I've ever enjoyed a job this much. The best part is that its expanding my knowledge/experience and its just 3-4 hours per day so I still get to come home and have time to make dinner and study. Its perfect for me.

I wear scrubs EVERY day so I don't have to worry about what to wear. Jonny likes this because I spend less time looking at my closet, not knowing what to wear, and being tempted to go shopping. I like this because I don't have to care that its the same 3 pairs of scrubs every week ;) It also makes it so I don't have to get up as early in the morning!

Jonny meanwhile is working super hard with Moxie recruiting. There's a big paintball war coming up so that should be fun. Our one year anniversary was today as well! Last night, Jonny took me to Olive Garden and a movie. We saw Argo; it was incredible. VERY good movie- besides the swear words. :/ He then took me to Destinations Inn and we stayed in a pretty sweet themed room. It was Rio themed and there was a projector screen that came down to watch movies on. We watched What Happens in Vegas and had Sparkling Cider of course, along with delicious cheesecake. MMM. It was almost as good as the Cheesecake Factory- no joke! We had a great relaxing night.

Jonny got an over & under shotgun for our anniversary and I also have some pretty cool presents coming soon. I will post pictures later.

I'm now off to watch Revenge and the new Walking Dead premiere! Everyone have a marvelous week!

Course #1 complete!

Decorating course #1 is complete!

A couple different looks to the end product.

It's been nice having a hobby once a week for a month :) plus Jonny can be impressed by my skills even though they really aren't great yet. Practice makes perfect!

I love my hubby like chub kids love cupcakes, except way more.

I fail at blogging. Maybe its because my life is consumed by work, PLL and Grey's Anatomy. Anyhow, Jonny and I have been keeping busy with the summer, and I currently am taking a cake decorating class every Monday night to keep myself busy since Jonny doesn't get home until 10 every night. 

 

  

 

This is my best work so far. It looked better on the paper I practiced on first, but practice makes perfect and next week is our last class and we're actually getting to decorate our 4-layer cakes :) Hopefully it will look good enough to post here. 

Jonny and I also recently watched the new Spiderman, Batman, and went on an arcade date:

A few days ago, we passed our 1 year from engagement mark. :D

Married and still loving it!

Until next time folks....

Beaching and what's up

Well, it has been a crazy couple of months! Jonny and I have been very busy with work. I leave at 8:30 every day and Jonny leaves around 9...and then he doesn't get home until 10 every night. So we basically never see each other. But when we do, we cuddle and watch Grey's Anatomy, which is of course, amazing. I guess I can brag on the worldwide internet that I have the sweetest husband ever. More and more each day I realize how much I love my hubby. He is so much better than I. The longer we're married the longer I recognize that we bring out the best in each other.

My family minus dad came to visit and we joined them at the beach house in Kure Beach, NC for a couple days. It was so nice to sink my toes into the sand with my husband and have absolutely nothing to worry about. Whilst laying on the beach Jonny listened to his book on tape and I soaked up the hot sun. We ate ice cream and just had a nice relaxing weekend. It was short but definitely sweet!

Also, I really like my friends, and the fact that one of them just had a beautiful baby girl named Sara a couple days ago, and the fact that one of them is having a handsome little boy, Ender, in just a couple months. I am so excited! It makes me baby hungry, but then I keep telling myself that finishing school right now is more important for me, and I'll just have babies all around me that I can play with! I've been helping plan a fun baby shower for Carissa's little Ender. It's themed knights and dragons, and I've had the hardest time finding things to go along with it! But after my sister-in-law and I searched every store nearby, we found a few things that will be perfect for the shower. Pictures to come later... :)

Raleighhh NC

Two months later I am finally updating our blog. I'm being really bad at this. I completely forgot about my blog until anatomy and chemistry and all my other classes this past semester were over (happy to announce all A's and one B). Stupid chemistry. I'd take anatomy&physiology 5 times over again before I retook chemistry. That was a killer. Or maybe just putting myself through both anat and chem at the same time was the stupid part. Anyhow, since then, my wonderful husband and I have moved back to Raleigh NC for the summer...until September when the next fall semester starts up again. Have I mentioned before that I love having no rules at BYUI--just another added plus to getting married ;) Back on topic--Jonny and I didn't stop too often on the way across the country, but we did stop in St. Louis and took some neat pictures with the Arch:

I'm going to be better about blogging now that its summertime :) Also, I'm still obsessed with The Vampire Diaries. It comes back on this Thursday and I am so excited. Also excited for a new show called Revenge that returns this Wednesday. What a cool week!

Cabo! Or not...

I haven't posted in a loooong time, with good reason. I've been so busy with really difficult classes this semester, and I guess technically I shouldn't even be taking the time to blog right now. But everyone needs a break here and there. So, I should go to Cabo with my husband right? On a week-long cruise right? Yes, I should, but I'm not. After much contemplation, I decided that school should be put first, because there's always time for other cruises. It was a hard decision but now I have to live with it! Here is where my husband will be going, oh and all my friends as well, in just a couple days:

This is Lover's Beach....where, again, I should be going... sigh...

I'm going to stop googling pictures now, its beginning to make me regret my decision....

it approaches.

The winter semester is approaching! Do you see any snow? I sure don't!

While I must say that I ADORE not having to put myself through the heart-attack-like torture of driving on wintery roads, I did miss making a snowman this Christmas. Last year's was epic. Its just not the same drinking hot chocolate, glancing outside, and seeing...well, rain. Jonny and I got back from our honeymoon today. We forgot to take pictures. Actually, I purposely forgot, because I wanted to go completely makeup and contact lens free the entire week. I was lazy, soaked up the hot springs (blindly...ha), watched movies, and wore my glasses- allllll week. :) It was absolutely wonderful.

(I just picked Jonny up from a Magic tournament) He loves those things! He has no idea I'm posting this for the world to see. Meanwhile, I unpacked (like I do every few weeks it feels like) and worked on this blog, and my new header. I'm pretty proud of myself. I know there are a lot of people out there that are nifty with their headers, more-so than I, but this is pretty dang cool.

now to get all set for the next semester, which will be a tough one of course.

have a happy new year! :)

As the end to another semester nears...

I don't have any pictures really to show...things have been a bit boring around the house..especially with Jonny's new job starting up; he heads to work about 30 minutes after I get home from school...what a bummer, but luckily we're going on our honeymoon soon! Whoot whoot! And a second one next summer when its nice and warm :) Also, I am almost done with Mockingjay!

YES! I truly love these books...I could go on ranting about them forever. But I won't.

I also have to give my husband some definite credit for taking me on at least one, sometimes two, dates a week! Its so much fun and it makes me feel like we're not an old married couple ;) We still go on doubles too with our friends josh and carissa :) They are truly amazing friends by the way!

That's all for now...time to study it up for the finals sure to sneak up on me in the next few days!

p.s. if you haven't begun the "once upon a time" tv show series...DO! There's only 6, maybe 7 episodes so you're not too behind yet! It fills that fairytale/adventure craving I often have, and gives a nice new spin to the stories...

Back on the Ball

I'll admit I've been a little lazy, just focusing on homework and well, my obsession with the Vampire Diaries.

But recently I've gotten a lot accomplished, and I'm pretty proud of myself for it :) Jonny and I hung up our Christmas lights this week. (They look much better from the outside)

I know its a little early, but the longer we get to enjoy them, the better! We have pretty much finished all of our Christmas gift shopping already, and boy does that feel nice. We're super excited for the Thanksgiving break. Especially me, considering I only have 2 more classes and a test left... then I can relax until next Monday. What a long break.... not really. Thanks BYU-Idaho. But I am grateful for the break that I do have, at least. Also, a couple nights ago, Jonny and I went to see the premiere of Breaking Dawn Part 1. Yes, it had some scenes but it was good. I loved it.

As soon as tickets are on sale for Part 2, you know who will be on Fandango first ;) Also, my wonderful husband got me the Vampire Diaries books that go to the TV series as an early birthday present, but so far, everything is very "off."

The characters are different and I'm just not really sure how I will like them. We will see. There is a book that I'm REEEally stoked for. That would be Catching Fire, the 2nd book to Hunger Games series. It's coming in the maaaail!!!!!

Although we will probably be in Boise for Thanksgiving by the time it gets here, I will eagerly await the moment we come home so I can read it. ;) Jonny is anxious for it too. We almost paid the extra $10 bucks to get it same day, but decided that we're poor so we probably should hold on to every $10 that we have. :) For those of you who haven't read or started reading the Hunger Games, do it! You won't regret it, I promise. Oh...and we'll be getting premiere tickets for the movie when it comes out in March!!! That's the catch-up on our life!

Halloween {my 2nd favorite holiday} + great friends= pure fun!

This Halloween we didn't really get to go all out because we were busy getting settled in to our apartment, changing all my identification...anddd then midterms snuck up so quickly and well, I know, enough excuses. There should be no reason good enough for not going all out on Halloween! Its one of my favorite holidays! Terrible me. But fortunately, we were able to pick up fun mini costumes with our friends Josh and Carissa at Wal-mart. Yes! Then we redboxed it up and got a scary Halloween movie to watch. I also must testify that Halloween is SOOOO much different when you're married. Carissa and I made Halloween sugar cookies a week or so before actual Halloween for neighbors, but then decided to eat them. :) So, they didn't make it to Halloween. Also, our husbands took us on a double date to a corn maze and Olive Garden, and topped it off with frozen yogurt...my favorite! On another note, my parents live across the street from a pregnant cat, and one day, the cutest doggie ever (my Buster) decided to chase her up a tree. Needless to say, she went into labor the next morning. Carissa and I went to see the kittens. There were nine, and their closed eyes were so sweet :) Shortly after, Alyssa and Remii came to visit from Utah! Our whole group of friends went to a straw maze. It was such a good maze. Here are some pictures of our Halloween holiday and my first Halloween as a married person! Ah!