Hurry up Spring!!!

I can't wait until the Spring really gets to Colorado! It's been snowing recently, then the next couple of days are in the 60s, and then it snows again. :( I just want it to be nice and stay nice, but I should probably move or change my thought process while I'm in Colorado. Don't get me wrong, I love it here but I am desperate for the Spring and flip-flop season! I love being outside!

I'm catching up in my online class and Tim and I are looking to book a Honeymoon site. We have a budget and can use as many suggestions as possible. We'd like to go out of the U.S. for a few days at an adults only resort-type facility. It's exciting looking for Honeymoon stuff. :) Anywho, that's all for now!

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

So this is old news for some, but Tim proposed to me on Valentine's Day. :) I've been so busy with school, work, and now planning my wedding that I haven't updated my blog in quite some time. But I wanted to share the story of our engagement. So, here it is. :)

I worked a buffet at work that day and got off around 3. Tim told me the night before that I had to let him know where I was at all times on Valentine's Day. I was confused because he was working until 5, but I called him when I got off and let him know when I was almost home. I wanted to take a shower, but he told me on the phone that I may not be able to. Again, I was confused and suspicious. As soon as I walk in my door, there were candles, food, and a big present with a rose on the table. Also, music was playing and Tim was around the corner waiting for me. He was getting off at 3 secretly, but he actually called in sick because he wasn't feeling well. So, we ate and I got to take a shower. I was told I had to make it quick because we had somewhere to be before it got dark and that I needed to dress warm. (Dressing warm was the only hint I got prior to this day). After I was ready, we opened our presents for each other. I made him a picture collage and he bought me this beautiful frame with some black and white pictures in it. I love it! Then, we got in his blazer and started driving. He drove me up Hoorsetooth (which is a local and beautiful reservoir in Fort Collins) where we had our first motorcycle ride and we got out and looked over the lake and the city. It was snowing and very cold, but absolutely perfect. After we were a little too cold, we got back in his blazer. Tim told me he still had a present for me, so I wasn't sure what to expect. To be honest, I had a feeling the proposal was coming, but I wasn't sure if he'd pop the question on Valentine's Day. (Sidenote: My parents got engaged on Valentine's Day so that's pretty neat we get to share that with them). Anywho, we're sitting in his truck (his dome light is out and that's why we had to get there when it was still daylight) and he said, "I have a serious question to ask you." I said, "Ok. What is it?" Tim replied, "Do you want to drive?" I looked at him like he was crazy and told him no because he knows I don't like driving a stick shift. Then, he opened up his glove-compartment and pulled out the steering wheel for MarioKart (a Wii video game I've been wanting since Christmas). I then got really excited because I love this game. He hands me the box with the game in it and as I'm unwrapping it, he says, "Before you open this, the guys I bought this from gave me a lifetime gaurantee. You have to read it." I thought that was lame because I didn't want to read it, but he has connections at game shops so I wasn't surprised about a lifetime guarantee. So I open the box and that's where he hid the ring. :) Tim then says, "Ok. That was a fib. It's my lifetime guarantee. Will you marry me?" I said, "OF COURSE!" And then I jokingly said, "I can't believe you didn't get down on your knee for this!" It was really cold out so I don't blame him. After that, we called our families and close friends and told them the news. :) Our wedding is set for September 6, 2009 and we are both very excited!! :) :) :)

Study Break

Well, I just took my first online test of the semester and I think I did pretty well. I also had to put the work schedule together for the next couple of weeks. I'm just taking a quick study break. Tomorrow I have my first test for my Ethnic Studies class. Not uber excited about it, but I don't think it will be that hard. Other than tests, I'm still sore from my exercise classes. I think I pulled a muscle in my leg from aerobics on Monday. :(

So, Valentine's Day is Saturday and Tim won't tell my anything about what we're doing...I guess I don't mind surprises. :) He's only given me a time and to "dress warm." That's all I got. But I'm pretty stoked about this weekend. I'm hoping to see my uncle, Chirag, on Sunday as well. He lives in Denver and couldn't come last weekend because of the weather. We may all go out to lunch. I'm hoping his girlfriend can come too. I have a new friend from my aerobics class that brought her boyfriend to my church this past Sunday. They loved it and I'm excited they can enjoy it! They've been looking for a closer church than the one they've been going to. And I ran into an old friend of mine from last year that wants to start coming to my church too. That's be sweet. :)

Well, back to the books...and then bed. My eyes and brain hurt...

Holy cow, I'm so busy!

Hello all! I've been super busy, but I have a few minutes to update everyone. I've started my final semester and haven't really had a break since! I actually prefer things busy, but sometimes it gets a little ridiculous. (I REALLY want to finish the 4th Twilight book, but my homework is getting in the way.) :( Anywho, my new job is going well. I've been trained for mornings and evenings now. The only bummer is I usually work mornings and my shift starts at 6. BUT I'm done by 10 and then go to class, so that's not too bad. All the residents still like me, so that's good. :)

Classes are going well. I have aerobics and racquetball 3 days a week and I also go to the gym on those days. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have volleyball. Let's just say, I'm getting a good workout during the weekdays. :) Aerobics is kicking my butt, but I love the challenge. My teacher actually reminds me a lot of Emily Pollard...so I think she's cool...:) Racquetball is a lot of fun, but most of the time I'm exhausted from working and having class all day that I'm not focusing as much as I want to. Volleyball is a blast! I'm making a lot of new friends and enjoying my time. I also have sign language again and my professor is picking up the pace and sometimes it's hard to keep up, but it's one of my favorite classes ever. My senior seminar class is good. It'll be a lot of research, grant writing, and group work, but I've known my group members for the last 3 years or so, so I know we'll all be hard workers. :) The only class that's really tough to sit through is my ethnicity and the media class. It's not hard and the professor is great, it's just difficult listening to stories about or quotes from people that have been killed or ridiculed because of their ethnicity or sexual orientation or whatnot. I grew up in a pretty diverse environment, especially my high school, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's a great class, but it breaks my heart to know that there's so much hate still in the world.

Other than that, Tim and I have been together for 6 months today. :) We've started a new Bible study group with some AMAZING people at our church. It's a young married/couples group so it's definitely a different atmosphere then what I'm used to, but we're excited about it and are looking forward to learning from others and studying God's word. It's interesting because now Tim and I are hanging out with more couples and I got so used to doing things alone that it's a little different...no complaints here though...I've decided to only work with the kidos at church twice a month now. It's just too much for me to handle every weekend. I'm lacking in the sleep department and I need to take care of myself. So, I'll at least get to sleep-in two days a month. :)

Onto some sad news, Tim's twin brother, Chris, and his wife and baby moved to Delaware last week. It's been a little tough for the family and friends, but just keep us and Tim's family in your prayers. It's an amazing job opportunity for Chris and his wife gets to be a stay-at-home mom. :) Tim's parents and him and his brother have all lived in the same town for the past 27 years, so it was a big move. But everyone will be okay. :) I think that's it for now, though. :) I've got more homework to do.

PS-Kendi, I totally picked the same background as you when I was updating it today and loved it, but I didn't realize it was the one you picked...so mine's not the same...mine's cooler! :)

It's Been a While, eh?

Well, since last time I typed, it was before Christmas. Well, let me catch you up on a few things. I'll try and make it as short as possible.

After finals week, I went home and spent some time with my parents. I was there about a week before Cory and Kendi arrived. My parents and I watched some old Christmas movies with Bing Crosby and Jimmy Stewart. I loved them! It was a lot of fun. My parents and I had our Christmas together. My big present was my b-e-a-utiful guitar!! I LOVE IT! It's got great sound and once the director at church puts the 'Worship Leader 101' class together, I'll get to use it at church. Once Cory, Kendi, and the pups showed up, we played Wii games and cards the entire time. Tim got to spend a few days with the family. It was nice. I'm glad he finally got to meet Cory and Kendi. And of course he fell in love with Zoey and Savannah! Yay! We all had our Christmas once everyone showed up. Tim got me a beautiful cross necklace! I'd been wanting a new one and he did a wonderful job. :) New Year's was fun too. Tim had to work, but Cory, Kendi, and myself went to the Perkins' house. David had proposed that night and it was a celebration party. After he had taken us the place he popped the question, Tim came walking down the street. :) He drove all the way down...again...just to surprise me and give me my first kiss at midnight. :) It was very exciting!

After I got home, Tim's birthday was right around the corner. We celebrated on the 6th instead of the 8th because he had that day off. So, that afternoon we actually drove to Denver to meet Cassie to give her the XBOX he sold her for Chris's birthday. But we got stuck in traffic and were running late for our dinner plans. He thought we were going out, so I pretended to change reservation times. But really, I was planning on making him dinner. I was texting Jenni (an old roommate and great friend) to see if she could come over and help me cook. So, Tim dropped me off because I told him I had 'errands' to run real quick, and Jenni started cooking the steaks while I got ready. She also brought fondue as a last minute emergency for me. :) Anyway, the steak, potatoes, and green bean dinner was delicious. He showed up expecting me to get in the car right away, but he walks in there's music on and candles lit and food on the table. He was definitely surprised. :) Thanks to Jenni, I pulled it off. On his actual birthday, his family and I went to dinner and he got a Wii. Well, everyone has been sold out for months, but we luckily got one last night. So he used the money he saved from selling the XBOX to buy himself a nice camera.

Other than that, I'm ready for school to start. I started my new job and it's going well so far. Classes start Tuesday and I'm pretty excited to be busy again. :) OH! How could I forget to talk about the 'Twilight' books!!?? I'm on book 3 and am absolutely loving them! Tim and I saw the movie last night...the book is definitely better...but the movie wasn't half bad. Tim's planning on reading them as well and my mom has my copy of the first book. Thanks to Kendi, I am now hooked. :)

My Last Fall Semester

I only had one final this semester, which was SWEET, and it was a take-home. I have to say, saving all my electives for my senior year was the way to go!! I got a 97% on my Gerontology final! Next semester, I only have one online class to finish my Gerontology certificate and my senior seminar to finish my major. The rest of my classes are electives. I can't wait! :) I'll be working out 5 days a week, 8 times a week with my three health and exercise classes. I'm hoping to get in really good shape before graduation.

Other than finals this week, I had to say my final goodbyes at work. It wasn't as hard as when I made the announcement, but I will be back to visit, I'm sure. I also went to the Avery House for a tour and the gal that gave the tour is 95 years old. :) I went earlier this semester and didn't get to finish the tour, so I went back. It was really cute and as we said our goodbyes...until I start my new job in January...she gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It's not every day I get to cherish a moment like that. :) It's people like her that makes me excited to start my career and work with older adults. There was also another resident I saw earlier this week that gave me a huge hug before I left. They're so amazing there and I'm getting excited to start my new job.

Today, I went to the Air Force commissioning ceremony. One of my good friends who I met through ROTC Bible study back when I was in ROTC freshman year was commissioning. I knew 3 of the 4 and saw a few good old friends. It was nice to go. I got a little teary-eyed even though I didn't know everybody extremely well, but it's a momentous occasion for them and it was nice to be a witness to it.

I leave for home Monday morning. :) I sing Sunday night, so I can't leave just yet. I went to the doctor...AGAIN...today and they don't know what's wrong with my throat. I don't have any other signs or symptoms of a cold or strep, but they're going to call within the next couple of days. They already tested for strep, so it's not that, which is good. I just hope we can figure out what it is.

Just Some Pictures :)

Tim's mom took pictures of us in Oldtown a couple weeks ago. I'm just putting some of those up. :) These turned out really cute.