This One Goes Out to Jenny H!

I was recently scolded for not updating and was told I couldn't be blog buddies with someone if I didn't post so....here's a post.

I admit I have not been perfect with the blog, I'm still adjusting to having our internet privileges back. I also have a rather massive project going on since I got my wedding pictures! Woo woot. My bridals are posted on facebook. I'm done with the pre-ceremony and ceremony pics. Now all I have is the reception pics....They're probably completely boring to everyone except me and I shouldn't post them all on facebook but I like them and I'm going to! So there!

We are currently being bombarded with snow and I LOVE IT! I'm so excited to have a white Christmas for my first married Christmas. I just hope that mommy and daddy don't get stuck in Kansas for three days again like they did the last Christmas they drove out here. If everything goes well they should be here tuesday evening! I adore this time of year! Everything from October 1st through the fist part of January (and maybe now through Feb. and then Johnny's Bday in March) is just wonderfulness. I'm so excited for Christmas this year because we have two new babies and Tristan will be blessed the sunday after Christmas and my mommy and daddy will be here and now I'm married. Its gonna be great!! I work tomorrow and then not again until NEXT friday and then not again until monday. It's MADNESS!

So Jenny, I hope this fulfills your need for a boring insight into my world. Please forgive if I do not post again for a week or so.



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

4 MINUTE UPDATE

I only have a few minutes left on break so I thought I'd just post for the sake of posting. I can't believe it is already December 5!! November just disappeared! Our Thanksgiving was quite nice. We had a delicious vegetarian feast--if you're a vegger I highly recommend the Quorn Turk'y Roaster. It was very tasty and I even had the leftovers I was so jealous of last year! We are still working lots and just plugging away. We would love to find a job closer to my home so if you hear of someone needing a fabulous chef let me know!

November was crazy! I got to spend some time with my Mommy and baby nephew. Two of my best good girl friends are pregnant (and due a day apart), and another dear friend gave birth to a beautiful girl. The Baby is perfect but mommy Kylie has had some health complications so please keep her in your prayers. Ok Break is over! Sorry to jabber and dash--call me if you miss em that much!

October Wrap-up!

I spent the Tuesday before Halloween in the most fall-tastic fashion I could think of. I made caramel corn and and caramel’d apples, I made little treat baskets for the ladies I visit-teach, and Johnny and I carved our pumpkin that night. Well Johnny emptied out the disgusting-ness and I carved the pumpkin.
SIDE A—Sassy Jazzy Ghosts

SIDE B: A SpOoOoOoky House. Don’t be Too impressed….they are from a pattern book. And I managed to slice my thumb a few times with that Darned old saw.

Ok so I absolutely love October and fall and, of course Halloween. But the absolute BEST part of our October this year came very early in the morning on Halloween. The long awaited Tristan Nelson Coons finally came out to meet everyone and a nice solid 8lbs 4 oz and 21 inches long (not to mention a 37 cm head and 4 inch long feet). After thirteen hours of Labor the Doctor realized that his head was just not gonna fit so they prepped Brittany and took him C-section. It was not an emergent situation so Chad still got to be present for his son’s birth. I know I may be a little bias but Tristan is seriously the most perfect little baby I have ever met!

Ignore the makeup. I was team supervisor at work so had to be a good example and dress up. I came speeding over as soon as I could get out of work. (I even forgot to clock out). I love this picture because his eye is open. The whole night he would open one eye at a time and look around. It’s a little too bright to have both eyes open the whole time I think.

A non-costumed picture. He’s so tiny and precious!! He loves to be laid skin on skin. In fact, Brittany said that’s the only way he will sleep now that he’s home. He just wants to be close to his mommy. I cropped the picture so it’s closer tin on us but from as far back as it was actually taken he looks so itty bitty. From his cheekbones up he looks just like his daddy, Chad. But he has Brittany’s lips and chin. And, someone, Caitlin’s snotty face. Oh yeah--he’ll glare ya down when he isn’t happy with you. (He really likes me so I haven’t been glared at yet but I have been pee’d on…I think I would prefer the glare.)

I think he looks like a little baby doll in this picture. He is THAT perfect that he looks molded. And notice that strawberry blonde hair! His eyes are really dark but they have some almost gold/brown around his little pupils so Brittany thinks he’s got his daddy’s hazel eyes. Mom will be quite excited if his hair goes red. Notice the little Winnie the Pooh in the background? That is a stuffed toy Chad’s mom gave to his sister before she passed away in, I think, 2001. So Jen gave that to Tristan on his birthday so that he would have a present from his Grandma. He’s so perfect and I just love him!! So you see….October really is the best month of the year!


Happy November!

Welcome Back!

I am severely behind in my posts. Our stats have tanked hard over the summer at work and continued with our staff shortages so we have limited our internet use to our breaks until we bring those stats back up to our goals. So marathon post.......GO!

Early this fall I played on a co-ed softball team. And we had a PERFECT season: 0-7! WHAT!! These pictures were taken right before our final game of the season. We were the AU Goldstars.
My friend (and green bridesmaid) was the manager and we had a blast sucking it up hardcore!
Its funny how competitive boys are in comparison to girls...as a generality of course. I'm a pretty competitive person but as we began our downward spiral each game the boys would get SO mad...one would even sit down in the field and pout after he missed a catch. we had one game where we played AWESOME! We were tied in the last inning and they got two in and took the W. Even THEN some of the boys were pissed that we lost...oh boys.

In other news I celebrated my 23rd birthday last week and had a wonderful time doing so! I've always had pretty disappointing birthdays...at least since my teenage birthdays set a trend that way. But we seem to have shifted the tide this year. The tuesday before my birthday we ventured down to the heart of Happy Valley to meet our friends in Provo. We had dinner at the Brick Oven Pizzeria with Todd and Kristie:

This picture pretty much sums up the night. Kristie is glaring at Toddy for being a turd and Todd is just goofy as normal. They are a lot like Johnny and I in that they argue back and forth a lot in a playful way: It was quite nice to be on the other side of that situation for once I must say. After dinner John and I went over to Liz and Erik Anderson's adorable little apartment to hang out and catch up with some friends I very much adore. Erik and Johnny soon ganged up together on Liz and I making fun of our midwest "accents" and like verbal graffiti and stuff.

Before our adventure my cute husband told me that he didn't have any wrapping paper so he had hidden my presents somewhere in the house and that I had to find them. He said it was up to me whether to look right away or wait until my actual birthday 3 days away. But was rather anxious and ended up insisting that I look straight away. So I was off on my quest:

That is my quest for presents face I guess. I found the first one rather quickly...it was hidden in the front coat closet. It was a little white toaster! Something I have had my eye on for a while but not been able to justify buying for myself. Then came the big one: I looked in the bedroom, in the backroom, in the water heater room, the bathroom and still had not found it. I had to have a little help from the "warmer colder" game. I finally opened the kitchen cabinet to find this:

No, your eyes do not deceive you. That is, in fact, a Magic Bullet!! I have wanted one of this contraptions for YEARS! Heather and I used to watch the infomercial in our dorm room any time it was on dreaming of the day that we could use the two different blades to make meals in less than 30 seconds. We made smooties that very night and a smoothie has never tasted sweeter!

These are from my actual birthday: Friday, October 10. I spent the day doing absolutely nothing! I took a bubble bath and gave myself a manicure and pedicure and just relaxed until my husband got home with these beautiful roses and PUMPKIN TREES! Have you ever heard of pumpkin trees? I hadn't but they are very cool and perfect for my favorite time of year!
My sweet husband then whisked me off to a fancy dinner at the New Yorker Club. I love getting dressed up for special occasions and going fancy places and it isn't something we get to do very often so it was a wonderful birthday present! I had french onion soup, black mushroom stuffed chicken (seasoned Perfectly) and Apple Beignets with 3 sauces. It was very delicious (that day and the next when I had it for lunch).
I am so grateful for my husband! He is so cute and very sweet. He has taken care of me this last week while I've been sick and is always very loving. Yes we may argue and no I don't always love everything he does...but I am very happy that he is my husband forever. Look how cute he is!

We Have Babies!

...well fishies anyway. I have a fish tank I got while attending Truman, it has had angelfish, fantails, tetras, and dwarf frogs in it before but has been sitting empty since the frogs died while I was in France. Last night we brought home our first joint-pets. 5 brightly colored guppies, including one whose tail had been nibbled a little in the store. I was so excited to bring them home and watch them swimming around. But it concerns me a little at what kind of mother I'll be: I know that sounds ridiculous but let me explain. I got the fishes home and was worried about them being in the plastic bag too long, and then whether the water was too warm or too cold, I worried when one wasn't swimming around enough and when they were all swimming crazy. With fish you can't tell if they're happy or sad, or sick or hungry and I was worried about them all night, and now I'm worried the water will get too warm with the heater and light on all day. My sister (the preggers one) developed an irregular heart beat this weekend and I was a nervous ninny until we got it figured out. My mom said that if I had a normal pregnancy I'd read things into everything and be one of those hypochondriac pregnant women. I thought that was crazy, and that my concerns were just stemming from the rash of pregnancy problems that have surrounded me this year. Now, after my baby fish have turned me into the nervous wreck that I am starting to think that Mother may be right.....



But Happy October!! October is pretty much my favorite! It's fall and who doesn't love fall!? and then there's my birthday, and halloween. It reminds me of being a little kid in Sioux Falls and I love it. After October we all gear up for the holidays and it's all wonderful from here through about February. I'm so excited for October...I can't help it!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Pop!

Last night was Jim and Kathy's 32nd Anniversary! Johnny and I are broke so we just decided to make a tasty dinner to celebrate. Our little nephew, Preston, wanted to do the fancy napkins so those were all his! He also set the table to make it look nice with the "two bowls on the ends and the platter in the middle." I tried to get a picture of the happy couple but they weren't having it. So Happy Anniversary Mom & Pop Velasquez...and Happy "15th" Birthday Kathy! When we got to the house Kathy had decided to move their family room all around (including the big projection TV) so that was some excitement to start the night off. I found out where Johnny got his argument style: he got BOTH of his parents tactics....Oy!
We took these pictures while making dinner. I'm totally bummed that the first was fuzzy cause it is MUCH better than the second. But Johnny is giggling in the second and very cute so you get both! His g's are hanging out a bit...I think his wardrobe was sluttier than mine! HA!
We have been so so busy at work today and its wearing me down...going home to watch movies and eat popcorn!! Hopefully the New Yorker will be slow tonight so I won't be doing so alone.

Karate Chop

I've been saying it for a year: after the wedding, I'm cutting my hair! So tuesday my lovely blue bridesmaid Jannali took care of the mess that was my hair and left me with this lovely 'do. I gave her two rules: Shorter and cute....and a sub rule of nothing that would make my face look fat.
I had gotten to the point where it was put in a low bun everyday cause it took long to do anything with and my ends were not cute... It's shorter than I expected but I love it! Especially curly cause now that all the weight is gone my natural curl comes out so much better. I'm still getting used to it....Johnny is getting used to it even more so. Granted I did kind of spring it on him. He's a good husband for telling me he liked it and thinks its cute even though I know he liked my long hair.


Homemaking news: We finally have a microwave!!! After 3 months I can re-heat leftovers without the stove or oven. As we were leaving the store Johnny said it had been nice not having a microwave...I would have responded but I was too busy weeping for joy over our new appliance. Until last night: I took the microwave for her maiden voyage of two-minute reheat of lasagna...with 30seconds left the stupid thing died. Johnny took it back to the store while I was at my softball game and was told that he had just returned the third of that microwave for that shift. So we just got a refund and bought something else at another store. It has so far lasted through4 hotdogs...so I think it just might work!

Rewind!

I have to play catch-up a little. I've had these pictures on my camera haunting me. Johnny hid the cord and didn't tell me so I couldn't upload them, and I didn't want to post about the events sans pictures so here we go: (NOT in chronological order)I made a diaper cake! I was so proud of myself and my entirely Mormon shower gift for my sister! The little butterfly guy on the top makes sounds and giggles and lights up when you move the wings. The giggle is pretty creepy but the little guy at the shower was quite entertained so I guess it might work. I was so proud that I got it to stand stable given that the center is supported by bottles that are masking-taped together...that is it was stable until I had to drive it out to West Jordan. It, much like my wedding cake, couldn't handle how cute it was and the top toppled. I think I've learned my lesson and the next one will be much better and far sturdier. The diapers were newborn size so that they don't hurt little Tristan's umbilical cord...but the only go up to 10lbs. so that boy better be smaller than his mama was. (I think he's going to be a tall boy...about 8lbs.)

Yes this is the best picture of this shot. We tried about 4 times: the first one was zoomed in, the second one was too too bright, this is the third, and Johnny is talking in the fourth. I'm smiling but its not as cute so I picked the one with my cute husband. This is by the Mississippi River covered in Lilypads 2 days before our wedding in Nauvoo.
We got to Nauvoo a few hours before my parents with Brittany and Chad so we got to spend some time walking around one of my very most favorite places. These are just a couple shots of the Nauvoo temple. It is so beautiful and the spirit is unavoidable in this place. I have heard some really cool stories from people who have worked in the temple or helped in its construction, and I have a few of my own cool experiences. Our last trip though definitely took top prize when Johnny and I received our endowments and were sealed as husband and wife for all eternity! Forget a fancy reception hall, I can't imagine a more beautiful place for a wedding! This is my favorite part of the Nauvoo temple. Every LDS temple has this inscription over the entrance, the significance in this plaque is the second to last line: Commenced April 6, 1941. The first time I saw that I broke down in tears. The early members of the church began building this temple before they were once again chased out of their home and across to Utah. The building was never finished, it was looted, burned, and eventually finished off by a tornado. After that there were only a few cornerstones left and a dent in the earth from the foundation. The temple was rebuilt and dedicated in 2002. I love it! The saints finally finished their temple...161 years later.This sculpture depicts Joseph and Hyrum Smith as they rode toward Carthage where they were eventually martyred. They paused to look out over the City Beautiful where they had met joy and prosperity, if for only a short while. The sculpture's detail is hidden by the sunset but I still love this picture!
This is Johnny's favorite sculpture in the Relief Society Gardens. Not gonna lie, I got a little choked up while we were there, knowing that in two days we would be beginning our own family. We are so excited to start expanding our little family when the time is right and can't wait to act out this same moment in our lives.
It was a long and crazy engagement but I am so glad we waited. Going through the temple with Johnny was the best moment of my life so far. I love temples, most especially the Nauvoo temple. What happens inside those walls is so amazing and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was that day and how happy it makes me knowing what it means in our lives. And I love Nauvoo! I'm so happy Johnny agreed to get married in Illinois! I hope to have more rewind pictures coming soon but for now enjoy a current: I decorated our table with our plates and fall colored napkins and I think it looks so cute! Now all we need is chairs!

NOklahoma

So they filled Johnny's position at the resort in Oklahoma on Monday. He had the HR department take his resume over to the chef anyway to see if they could use him in some other facet but we haven't heard anything. We are a little bummed but it has definitely opened our eyes. We have realized that we are a little more ready and wanting to move than we thought. We've started looking at other jobs but we are taking our time. I told my boss that we were starting to look. I didn't want to spring my notice on her when we finally find something. We've had people giving notice left and right around here and so I promised it wouldn't be before the middle of October. She told me that that was the reason I didn't get the promotion in August. She was afraid that 3 months after training me in the position of executive secretary that I would be running off the midwest. Its funny that not getting the promotion has made me want to move a little sooner...I think I'm finally starting to get a little burned out. Everything is catching up with me and my body so I think I will go home and nap and everything will be better in the morning.

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A....OK?

Johnny got done early last night so we got to spend some wonderful and unexpected time together. We watched Kitchen Nightmares and ate some mac'n'cheese before we headed over to Bed Bath and BEYOND to grab a present for Danny and Jenny and a pot for us (to cook in...not piss in.) Right after we blessed our dinner (in which Johnny asked for guidance in our careers) my mom called. My phone was still on vibrate so I heard her leave message. I had just talked to her and she knew Johnny and I were spending some time together so I thought...hmm. She said she'd been reading the newspaper from two days ago and found an interesting listing. About 45 minutes from where my parents live and brand new Vegas-style casino and resort just opened and is looking for a Sous Chef to be over two of their 5 restaurants...native american preference. It has free benefits including medical, dental, vision, a matching 401K and paid Holidays. We haven't decided on anything...its a little too big of a decision to make in 5 minutes...but we are contemplating it. It would be a BIG deal. We would be packing up and moving across country...so they would have to make it worth it. But we had planned on going back to the midwest eventually...like in a couple years. Johnny says if they tell us to move tomorrow we're nto going.
Here are my pro's:
We'd be closer to my family...and OUT of Utah
Johnny would be AWESOME at that job...and would only have to work 1 job!
Cost of Living is much lower...as is the cost of Housing!
Found out the Restaurant I worked at there is also hiring Managers....possibility?
Johnny DESERVES this kind of position.
It's just starting out so if he can be a part of this who knows what kind of opportunities lie in this.
I Could say Forget you Uof U and Finish my stinkin' degree already!
I would get to see Holly once a year!!

Of Course there are Con's:
We would be moving...hello hugeness!
We don't have much in the way of savings to get out there.
It would mean a big upheaval in our lives...apartment, jobs, friends....
I would miss spending lots of time with baby Tristan (though if we were settled and making good money we could afford our own little baby a little sooner...hello pro!)
....I can't think of any more right now"

I'm trying not to get excited about it and treat this like a mature and responsible adult. But I can't help but get a little excited at the sheer possibility. Much fasting and prayer will go into this decision...and it may turn out Johnny doesn't even want to apply...or that they don't want us. For the record though, I think it's a great opportunity and we should at least apply...who knows.....?