I thought this would be easier...

Life in general. Oh no, this post isn't about that. Maybe later.

I just thought having a blog would be fun and easy, and would be easy to keep up with multiple posts a week. I often look at friends' blogs, and they write quite frequently, and I feel a twinge of jealously. Then I remember, most all of them are stay at home moms with a little more time on their hands than me (no offense, I love you all!). Somehow, I've got to figure out a way to blog more. I really do want to. I want to have a super-cool, super-fly blog that so many of you have, but I should be content with what I have and can do.

Life is crazy busy... funny how when I was younger, I thought being married would be all idyllic, fancy-free, and easy. But, the challenges it brings are worthwhile, and I wouldn't trade them for single life any day. I am taking one night class and working full time, teaching the CTR 5 class at church (with 10 of the most crazy funny hyper kids ever!). Mark is busy with school, job shadowing and applying for the Physical Therapy Assistant program this semester (he will start in the Fall with the program when he gets in, which I just know and have faith he will). Plus he works. Let's just say we don't see each other a lot during the week, but we make every minute count. It's a tough college student life, but we're doing the best we can. Plus, I love the guy so much. He is so amazing and I am very proud of him.

Okay, hopefully I can get some pictures posted soon. Maybe tonight or this week. Note to self: blog more and better! Love ya.

We're alive

Hello! Just a quick note to say we're alive, and doing well. It's Dead Week... er, Closed Week, here at ISU, which is a fancy way of saying IT'S ALMOST FINALS TIME AND WE'RE GOING CRAZY WITH HOMEWORK AND LEARNING! So, I thought I'd let you know. Enjoying the snow, our Christmas decorations (which Mark had up by the middle of November), and life in general. Thanksgiving was fun, and we hosted it at our house this year. My mom, sister Heather, brother Spencer and his girlfriend Tracy came by to eat, with a rousing game of Monopoly afterwards. We are so grateful for family, friends, school, and work! Yes, it's true! Until next time, America...

Sealings galore!

So, happy anniversary to Mark and I! On our anniversary, October 22, he and I were sealed in the Idaho Falls temple! Oh, the joy! It was truly an amazing experience, one I will always remember. I felt happy, excited, satisfied, and renewed in my commitment to Mark. I know we can do it and that we'll make it, together. The other fantastic part of the day was that Mark's parents arrived from a long drive from Alaska the night before, so he got surprised by their arrival and also had the lovely opportunity of being sealed to them on our anniversary as well. That made me cry; me being sealed to Mark didn't produce tears (not that I wasn't overwhelmingly happy).

Funny thing was that I threw out my back the night before, so I was hunched over the whole day. But I didn't care if I had to crawl... I was going to make it to the temple with Mark!

We enjoyed time with his parents that day and then on Sunday night when they came back after a weekend trip to Montana. They should be down here (in the lower 48) for most of the winter, so we expect to see them some weekends. It was a pleasure to meet Mark's mother and I'm so happy to finally meet Nancy! She is a sweetie, very kind, and very beautiful!

That's all for now. Our home is wonderful and we're enjoying making it "ours". On Sunday November 1st, Mark dedicated our home. I know it will be a peaceful, loving home.

Toodles!

Moved in... let the fun begin

Okay, so Mark and I are all moved in to our house. It is so nice to be a homeowner, something I didn't think would happen at this stage in my life. Now, we have the fun chore of unpacking, which I don't know when it will all be done with school and work and all. And, nine days until Mark and I get sealed!

TTYL!

Short but sweet

Okay, this is going to be short but sweet. In 45 minutes, Mark and I are going to close on our house!!! Yippee! That is so amazing. Yup, we've bought a house here in Pocatello- nice 3 bedroom, bonus room, big kitchen, ranch style. It's in my mom's ward (also where I grew up), so I know the ward will be amazing.

I know I still need to post pictures from vacation. Will try to do by the weekend.

Um, what else... Mark is working as a custodian, and we're both doing the school thing. We are so busy and don't see each other as often as we'd like, but we are making it work.

Also, 22 more days until our sealing!

Love ya!

School days, school days- and a house

Hello all! So, I realize it's been awhile since I've written here. Hopefully I will do more this weekend, since it's Labor Day weekend! Mark and I have started school again and are "enjoying" the hustle and bustle of it all.

Super good news: Mark and I have bought a house! Yeah! It's in my mom's ward area, where I grew up. It is so exciting, and we're already planning what to paint, etc, to make it our own. More details to come.

Well... having more car trouble. Before you buy a car, talk to us and we'll tell you where NOT to buy!

Next month, Mark and I will be sealed in the Idaho Falls temple (on our one year anniversary, October 22).

Okay, more later. Love you all!

Vacation was a blast!

Hello all! We had a fun time on vacation. We went with my mom and little sister to Yellowstone National Park and Lagoon and Salt Lake City. We wanted to stay close to home and also enjoy some of the fun things the area has to offer. There were a few snafus but nothing horrible, and we enjoyed our time very much. Mark wasn't as awe-struck with YNP as I've been, and it was sad that we only saw a few animals (they must have been hot and hiding in the shade!). He did like the geysers and pools, and took lots of beautiful pictures, some of which I will post later. Of course, Mark loved Lagoon. He would've gone on more adventurous rides if I hadn't been chicken (and if some of them didn't cost extra money!). He helped me go on a ride I wouldn't have gone on without him- The Bat. Then we enjoyed Temple Square immensely- it was specially nice that Mark was able to get a copy of his patriarchal blessing, which has been missing for awhile. We got it while taking a tour of the newly built Church History Library. We almost didn't go, because Mark was tired, but I convinced him-"You won't be sorry", I told him. And he wasn't. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways, but blessed us abundantly with this opportunity. It was fun to relax, do new things, and be with family.

Look for pics from our trip soon, and also pictures of our hamsters (that deserves a seperate story, to be told later). Love ya! ~Mark and Annie