I'm technologically retarded...kinda

I'm not completely technologically retarded. It just takes me a while to figure out new things. Unfortunately Jared didn't figure that out before we got married. So he's stuck dealing with my frustrations when, "I swear I did it exactly like that five times and it didn't work!" kind of things.

So last week when Jared asked me why I didn't just take a screen shot of what was on my phone and send it to him, instead of insisting on having his phone so I could pull up the exact same web page, my response of "I don't know how to do that" left him wide eyed. I don't think it helped that I said that in front of a computer programer from our ward either - it must have embarrassed him or something.

But since then, I've learned how. Go me! Isn't it nice that we can still learn weird things? I'm sure I will be so far behind once I'm older and my kids are in their teens with the latest technology and programs that they have to run for me because I can't. Or something like that.

Elder and Sister Mills

are home! I can't tell you how glad I am that they are home. Even though we were able to have two very nice trips to Hawaii to visit them, I missed them terribly. This year has gone really fast, and yet at the same time it was really slow not being able to see my parents every week like we had been used to in our first year of marriage.

I picked them up from the airport with my Step Sister and her cute girl's on June 21st and so far the time has flown by since they've been back.

They're homecoming talk was a couple sunday's ago and they did a spectacular job. We had a family party to celebrate their homecoming and it was quite a get together too. Thanks to all the family that came to celebrate their return, it was so nice to have you there and see you!

So glad my parents are back and that I can now go up and see them whenever I want. Welcome home Elder and Sister Mills!

Nine

It's days like today that I feel as low as I can go, I just have to start counting my blessings and dreams. I have a dark black secret that I so badly want to share, but I know I shouldn't. So instead I'll tell you the little things that made me smile today.

1. dreaming of learning french. Someday when all this ridiculous high educated learning (college) is done, I will be able to do things like this. Someday.
2. planning on running two Ragnar race's in the next year. Las Vegas November 9-10 and Wasatch Back June 21-22. I'm glad to have something to train for.
3. starting work at Nordstrom Rack-which I love! Taking a break from CNA work is really nice and I suspect rather permanent. I'm grateful for my three years of being a nurse's aide but, it's time to move on.
4. friends. New friends at a new job that are overly willing to help and answer questions and give me fashion advice. Don't we all love new friends? It's like a fresh start each time, and as we get older each fresh start gets better.
5.  having an awesome VW Jetta TDI to drive and pass all the crazy mini-van drivers on my way to and from school. It's the little joys of passing cars and not getting pulled over. And still getting 45 MPG.
6. getting a back to school jacket that is quite stunningly cute. Thinking that my last fall semester at BYU begins within a month is just unfathomable. Even though I'm going to looking stunningly cute.
7.  finally learn Clair De Lune on my brand new-to me-piano. It's going to take quite a while to get that baby down pat, but I can do it.
8. having a husband and dogs who cuddle with me and give me loves and kisses when I need them. On days like today.
9. reading this blog, and loving everything she had to say about her dog. It gave me some ideas for my blog. Because with this dark blackness inside of me that I'm holding in and onto, I just can't bear to blog about the things I really want to say. Not yet. Just not now. But I can blog about my sweet puppies, because everyone loves life from the perspective of a dog. Especially our crazy ones.

so on a day that I'm feeling the blues, and I want to focus on the disappointments and sadness I feel, I can share at least nine good things. And I promise, I will try harder to not focus on the blackness. Remind myself of the things I love, and find new things to give attention to. And maybe someday let everybody in on this whole secrety thing I feel. Someday.

Life...

Our first big purchase

as a married couple was both exciting (we LOVE the car) and downright scary (car payment? ah!). Thank goodness we had a great salesman (go see Mike at SouthTowne VW) who talked us through the scared silly parts and got us to see that it was worth the purchase - and while I may have thought he was biased at the time - I now completely agree with him even though my heart hadn't been set on a Jetta TDI.

A little bit of background we knew for quite a few months before my parents came back from their mission that we would need to get another car because Jared was driving my parents only working vehicle while they were gone. We had discussed the need for getting a high fuel efficient car because we commute over 60 miles each day to school - yes we didn't really think that through - and we drive up to see our parents in North Salt Lake weekly as well.

So my heart was set upon a Prius which boasts 48/51 MPG and as far as I was concerned we could really use that to lower our gas costs. I did tons of research in the month leading up to my parents coming home and had found a suitable Prius with a good price. After watching Jeff Dunham's skit about Prius's - plus the fact that it isn't a manly car - Jared adamantly refused to drive it if we bought one. So I bargained I would drive it, and Jared could drive my Mazda.


Well needless to say we get to the dealership with the check in hand to pay for it, Jared test drives it and had a little bit of a freak out. I didn't understand until after test driving the Jetta TDI why he was so unhappy with the Prius. When he test drove the Prius in his mind all we would be paying for was the economic statement and an complicated battery and then besides that there was nothing special about this rather pricey car. When I stepped into the Jetta TDI I feel in love with the standard leather interior, seat warmers, automatic window controls on all the windows - not just the drivers, and tons of special safety features. And it still gets 45 MPG and even better the diesel engine is expected to go more than twice as far as a typical gas engine.

In the end I feel like we got a lot more for our money and are so happy with our choice. Even though it was really overwhelming to take on a car payment and become real adults, I wouldn't choose any other car to pay one on. Now every time we see a Prius on the road we laugh to each other that we were actually considering one.

P.S. The dogs love the new car too :)

Wasatch Back Ragnar 2012

I apologize for it being so long since I posted about this, I just was still so emotionally raw from the experience I needed some time to gather my thoughts. Overall: I've never had so much fun running!!! It made all the months of training worth it, getting back into shape for the first time since High School. I honestly enjoyed myself so much, I've already signed up for Wasatch Back next year, and the Las Vegas Ragnar this year.

                 My first Ragnar Leg, 7.3 miles and as you can see it was a beast of an uphill run. Below was my afterward picture, and boy I look worn out!

 Which left me with this lovely present. Thank goodness it didn't hurt too bad on the other legs.

 Running my final leg of 7 miles straight downhill into Deer Valley.

My sweet wonderful husband brought my babies up to watch my cross the finish line at the end of my last leg completely my 20 something miles in 24 hr. period. And yes, I bawled when I crossed the line.

 So happy to be done!!! I can't believe I accomplished that mileage without DYING! And I can't wait for next Ragnar!!!

p.s. thanks so much to such a wonderful team and fun van! It wouldn't have been such a great experience without you guys to cheer me on!

Megan, Me, Kenzi, Breanne
missing Nick and Steve.

June Girl's Party 2012

I had a really hard time figuring out what I wanted to wear for the girl's party this year because typically it's outside and HOT. So I wanted something light and breezy, and I was overjoyed when I found this keeper of a dress at H&M for a really good price and then happened upon this super cute flower belt to match! But then we were inside after all so oh well. At least I got a great sunday dress out of it.

 This was probably the fastest game ever! Funny thing, my present which I showed you was definitely the cutest I thought and my mil fought for it tooth and nail. And she got it!

Isn't that the prettiest bird feeder you've seen? Unfortunately this picture doesn't do it justice but it's multicolored stained glass. I love girl's parties we just need to get more ladies there that are feisty and want to fight for the presents. It's less fun when people are nice over the presents. I've got to think of my present for December now. Any ideas?

time flies...

...when you're having fun. So sorry to be so completely M.I.A. This past month has flown by so fast its not even funny. And I've been so busy I hadn't even remembered about this whole blogging gig. Among the list of updates are activities, puppy happenings, fashion re-do's, and all around fun. Look forward to it!