Christmas

Well, Christmas was great this year. It was my and Jon's last Christmas with our families. Next year will be our first Christmas as the Rowley's :) I cannot wait for that day.

Seeing family was so good. I love getting together and just talking with family. We all had a great time and lots of food! This year we had crab, shishcabobs, salads, and lots of goodies and dips. It was great! Tons of family came and even some friends. I cannot wait for next year's Christmas.

The rest of break will be spent skiing, playing our new wii and wii fit, and relaxing before I hit the kindergarten classroom and Jon hits the third grade! Wish us luck :)

Engagement PIctures

We got our engagement pictures back finally. I love them! They all turned out so good it was hard to pick just one for our 8 x 10 but we finally did. I will upload a few for you to see :)

It's Been A While

Sorry I have not stayed on top of the website! We have been busy lately with student teaching and wedding plans. The day after Thanksgiving we bought our wedding bands on sale! It was a great deal and we both love our rings.

We went wedding cake tasting a few weekends ago and think we know what type of design we want. We also loboth loved the white cake with lemon filling. Jon liked the chocolate cake with mint, and I also liked the carrot cake, and white cake with raspberry filling. We are not sure yet which flavors we are going with but I cannot wait to eat it on the day of our wedding!

Today we have another marriage prep meeting with Deacon Doug. We get to see our results from the quiz we took. I hope we agree on most of the things! I am nervous to see what we do not agree on. Hopefuly they are not big issues that we disagree on. Well, I will hopefully be better at updating :) Talk at you soon!

Summer Days

Summer has been amazing so far. I got out early May from the University of Idaho and ever since then I have been on the look for a job. Well, no luck still. I have applied to many places and had a few interviews but no one ever calls back. It is so rude. Even if I don't get the job it would be nice to hear back from them to know they are not accepting me, rather than me wondering if they got my application or not. One daycare interviewed me and SAID they would call back. They never did so I called and left a message. They still did not call back. So I went in a dropped off a thank you note just letting them know I appreciated the interview and was looking forward to hearing back whether or not I got the job. Guess what... still no stinkin call. HOW RUDE. This is so irritating. I cannot even believe how ride some people are. If you say you are going to call, you should call!!!!!!!

Jon has a job though, so that is good. He is working for Avista again for his third summer and got a raise! It is amazing. He is making so much money. I wish I could get a job that paid half of what he is making! I am so proud of him, he is such a hard worker and his boss loves him.

The first weekend of summer was Anna's graduation from the University of Idaho. We all rode down to Idaho in a Limo. It was so much fun. My grandma brought doughnuts and cookies and sparkling cider. Then we rode back and the next day everyone came out to our house for her party. It was a busy weekend but very fun.

Then the following weekend was Memorial Day. Jon and I went to the lake with my family for Memorial Day weekend and went to the parade. It has become one of our traditions we have together. I love traditions! Jon and I look forward to the parade every year. It is a very small rinky dink parade that only lasts 10 minutes, but it is so fun to look through all of the booths at the locals crafts, foods, etc. This year was the first year Jon and I decided to spend money on anything. We bought some scone mix from a man who makes the mix himself from his grandma's recipe from germany. The sample was delicious so we had to buy some. We got a orange blueberry mix, sounds a little funky but it was so good.

The weekend after Memorial Day was Katie's Graduation Party. She had her party a weekend early so that she could attend her friends parties the following weekend. I helped my mom prepare dips, veggies, snacks, and drinks. It was a long morning but time with my mom is always fun. Then I went into town and picked up balloons, cake, and decorations. It was a hectic outing, but worth the look on Katie's face :) That night Jon and I went up to my uncles lake cabin because he had invited us out at Katie's party. So we went up, it is only 20 minutes from our house. It was so fun hanging out talking with my cousins and aunt and uncles. I cant wait to go back!

That following week I went to the lake with a friend and hung out for three days. It was so much fun but I missed Jon. It was well worth my tan though! Well, I burnt first, but now it is a tan!

The next weekend was Katie's actual graduation. Whhooooeeee! Busy busy. On friday I helped my Aunt with her daughters birthday party at the pool and then the next day I helped with her sons! They are twins and this year they wanted their own parties. Then on Saturday I went to Borders with my aunt to spend 500 dollars on books for her classroom! It was very fun picking out all of the great books I had learned about this year.

This weekend I am going to the lake with my family and enjoying doing nothing! I cannot wait. I guess I have not had much time to be having a job, but still... I would love to get one! Keep me in your prayers :) I promise I will not wait this long again to blog.

Engaged

On May 11th Jon proposed to me. It was probably the happiest I have been in my entire life! Here is the story of how it happened:

So last month was Jon and my two year and we told each other no presents, but I suprised him with Sho Gun dinner... he had never been and it was really fun so then he felt bad and said he was going to make it up this month for me and take me on a date May 11th (our two year one month)... so tonight I was all excited. We went outside and an old-fashioned limo car thing pulled up and I was so excited and told him he definitely made it up to me! So we cruised down twon to our reservations and he said that we were going to be really early so he asked the LImo driver to drop us off at River Front Park... so we got out and decided to go on the Gondola ride over the massively flowing river, it was gorgeous! Then on the ride back over the river he said it was really scary, but he would be ok cause he could spend the rest of his life with me and then got down on one knee and pulled out the ring and said the magic words... Will you Marry Me! of course I cried and then said yes and wrapped him in my arms and never wanted to let go... but then we had to get off once we got to the end of the ride haha. Then we went to Red Robin (its a thing of ours... whole other story) and neither of us could eat cause we were so nervous/excited/happy/ etc. THen the Limo driver picked us up in an Old Fashioned car... it was a 1933 Packard Super Eight Town Car... it was so cool! Then we just rode all the way home and it was a GORGEOUS drive home... the weather turned sunny right when we got downtown... it was perfect! GREAT NIGHT!

The Night was perfect and I cannot wait to start all of the planning. We have already started a little bit to make sure we get the place and date we want... and I am already a little stressed! Haha.

Jon and I heading out on our Date

After Jon Proposed

The Car We Rode Home In

My Wonderful Week Off!

So this week I have absolutely no school! I am way too excited, but also sad at the same time. I am excited because I have no class, and no major assignments. AND, I am getting on top of so many things, I basically have all of my homework done for the rest of the year! It feels SO good. I am sad because I am in Spokane and Jon is in Moscow. We have not spent time like this apart before and it is hard! I can tell it will be really good for us, but at the same time I just miss him so much; and I still have 5 more days to go! Ugh, I can do it! Haha. I know this will strengthen our relationship and blah blah, but sometimes you take for granted those simple little hugs or kisses. I actually just miss his smell, laughter, and company; hugs and kisses are a bonus :) To get me through this week I have many activities planned. Each day I am giving my younger brother Dante a test or assignment for one of my case studies of a child I have to do for a class, so that will take some time. Also, I am doing an art final, Tao's final, and integrated lesson final project, oh and reading for one of my classes extensive reading charts... woooeeee! And I also get to go to lunch with my Grandma and Mom, so that will be fun, and I will be job hunting; wish me luck! Well, I will keep you posted on how things go! Until then if anyone is down in Moscow with my Jon Jon, give him a hug for me! Love you Jon :)

2 Years!

For our two year anniversary I suprised Jon and took him to Shogun. The chef was great and did so many cool tricks, and our celebration picture turned out so good. Jon had no idea what was going on because he had never been there before so it was toally worth the embarassment.

Then after we made a wish and blew out the good luck budah we got to rub his belly for good luck and eat his nummy pinapple! It was SO good.

Finally we took off our head wear; I had to get a good picture of us.

And after eating Filet Mingon, Steak, Shrimp, Fired Rice, Veggies, and Pinapple at Shogun we had to go to a very nice dessert... so of course the only obvious place to go was 7/11!!! The slurpies were so good, and Jon and I had a blast driving around and just enjoying each others company. Did you notice that I have a blue drink with a pink straw, and Jon has a pink drink with a blue straw? Haha. We didn't even plan it!

Will This Ever End?

School responsibilities just seem to keep growing. Everyday I seem to go into class thinking, ah... I have completed the assignment due today and feel great, but then at the end of class I seem to walk out thinking, crap... gotta add all of this to my list of things to do now. I feel like school is getting so overwhelming. This week I am teaching in a classroom all week and am so nervous that something is going to go wrong. I want the students to learn from this and remember this experience as a good one... last semester the Lit Block students did not leave a good impression apparently so I am a little nervous. I sure hope my group does a better job! I am really excited for this week though at the same time. I get to teach all about Walt Disney and biographies, and I cannot wait. But it is just so stressful... I guess this is how work will be when I graduate though right? Yikes! Maybe I am not cut out for this profession. I have often doubted myself and it scares me. I know that it is not bad to go back to school and get a different major, but I just feel like these four years would have been such a waste then. I have learned so many things that will be helpful in my life no matter what profession though so I guess that is good. Who knows, maybe after student teaching next year I will absolutely love it and be more confident. Let's Hope!

Another reason I am excited for this week is because I will accomplish so much and then my next few weeks the weight will be lifted a little which will be very nice. Also, I get to go home on Friday! That is always a nice thing because I get free food (that is really yummy), free laundry facilities (thanks mom), AND relaxation away from Moscow and the typical weekend frat scene. Oh, and this weekend is Jon and my official two year even though we already celebrated our "fake" two year; I am still very excited. I am taking him out to dinner to a place he has never been where the cooks cook right on your table and put on a little show for you. It is going to be AMAZING! And, YUM, the food is absolutely to die for! Anyone looking for a fun date, go to Shogun on third street, downtown Spokane, Wa! Very Yummy, and not too outrageously priced. Yes, it is pretty spendy but for a once a year romantic date or even birthday celebration it is worth it. It is a great atmosphere and kids love watching the utensil throwing, flames, and lights. Also, if it's a special occasion you get to wear a japanese outfit thing and head piece and get your picture taken and a pinapple... it's fun :) So, if you cannot tell... I am way excited to get through this week! Hopefully everyone else enjoys their week. I will post pictures if Jon and I tell the place it's our anniversary. PS- this is a suprise and Jon does not know about it... so no one tell him! Thanks

Mom's Weekend is Coming!

I am so excited for Mom's weekend this year. I will get to spend quality alone time with my mother! My older sister finally will not be here this year, not that I dont love my older sister, but it is nice to have alone time with mom. My younger brother is a Freshman this year, but he will lose interest in hanging out with Mom haha. He will go do his frat stuff, and I will get time with MOM! YAY! I cannot wait. Well, all this talk about mom made me think about how much I am like her. Jon and I were looking through pictures the other day and found a picture of me and one of my friends at Tommy's highschool graduation party and I look JUST LIKE MY MOM! I have been told all my life I look like my mom, but this picture totally convinced me! I am doomed! Haha. Just Kidding, my mom is gorgeous. Jon says the resemblence is scary, not just in looks, but our attitude and everything about us haha. Well, that's my blog for the day. Oh, and here is the picture of me looking just like my mom.

Concert

For my birthday my amazing boyfriend got me Brad Paisley concert tickets. When Jon and I got to the concert we found our seats and almost died. We were so high up! But, Jon got "the best seats" that were left when he got the tickets... amazing how fast concerts sell out. It ended up being perfect. I saw a few friends that had seats almost right next to us. It was great. Then the concert started. Caitlyn something (an indian country singer) opened first. She sang a song about telling her dad its ok to let go now because she can do it on her own. That is how I feel and I had heard the song before. I love it! Then Dierks Bently came out and gave an amazing performance. Although our opening acts were great, no one can beat Brad... his voice is even better in concert than on the radio! He was so so so so GOOD! I loved it. Jon and I had a blast. We finally left the concert around 10:30 because we thougt it was over but right as we got out Brad started playing Ticks! CRAP. I cant believe I missed that song. Oh well... apparently he really was going to give us our moneys worth! Haha. It was the best concert ever. I cant wait to see him again!

Before the concert Jon and I went to the Steam Plant in Spokane. It was ok, but we were both a little disappointed. We were expecting really good food and were willing to pay the price, but we got really mediocre food for double the price! Oh well, we still had fun. And it was a new experience. The building was really neat too. And the drink I ordered was good. So, not too much to complain about I guess.

Valentines Day

I seems the most obvious topics are the ones we forget to write about. Everyone has been writing about Valentines Day even though it was a while ago now. Well my Valentines Day story is very long, so grab a warm drink and cuddle up!

So, on Friday Jon and I got to Spokane only to find my mom waiting in the driveway saying goodbye to a carfull of my siblings. My mom told me SHe packed my skis too and just sent them off with Katie and Joey. I told my mom I didnt know what she was talking about only to realize they had planned a family vacation weekend at Schweitzer Mountain without telling Jon and I. It was a huge mistake, they would love us to go with them and my mom was even telling me that Jon and I were riding up with her. Well, Tommy forgot to tell me that we were going to Schweitzer and my mom thought Tommy told me, but Tommy thought my mom would have told me. So anyway. Jon and i decide to go up with them for a night. So we pack up some clothes, our ski stuff, and get on the road. Jon skied on Saturday and I stayed home looking up places to go out to eat for dinner in Sandpoint. Then I got ready and curled my hair and everything. I was so excited.

Around four we leave the condo and go down on our way to Sandpoint. We get to the first restaurant and it was like an old hotel, old folks home feel! GROSS! So we turned around just as fast as we opened the door. The second restaurant was just as bad. So the third place was an Italian place that smelled SO good. Of course they were full for the night. So we spent another 30 minutes looking around Sandpoint before we decided to just head to Spokane.

We called 10 different places on the way to Spokane and everywhere was full. Red Robin looked like it was going to be the winner. So we went to Red Robin and it was actually really nice. After Red Robin we went to the store and I got wine and chocolate covered strawberries. Then we went to Jon's dad's house (his dad was out of town). Then we went into the hot tub and relaxed with chocolate covered strawberries and wine. It was SO amazing.

After the hot tub we came inside and watched a movie. Jon's step mom burns DVD's so they have TONS of movies. We watched Wall-e because neither of us had seen it and we heard it was good. It was actually really cute. Then it was off to bed. In the morning Jon took me to Breakfast at the Train. So fun. It was a great Valentines Day! Could not have asked for a better Valentines Day!

I love you Jon!

The Hike Continues

A few days ago I got informed that one of the schools I really wanted to student teach at already is slammed with student teachers from Spokane schools. This means I really have to pray that my second or third choice will take me, otherwise I might be shipped out to Coeur D Alene. Please pray with me! Updates are soon to come.

The Journey to a Teaching Career

Today I am one step closer to getting placed in my student teaching portion of my schooling. Yesterday I had an interview with the area coordinator (Sally Green) to discuss my placement and preferences. It went really well. I even told her that I might want to teach in a Catholic School someday so she is going to work on placing me in a student teaching postition at a Catholic school for one of my student teaching semesters. I am really excited and cannot wait to see where I get placed. She told me at the meeting that I would need to turn in a resume to her to better my chances at getting placed out of state. So I turned it in today and now just have to wait. She told me that I should know by spring break where I am placed so that I can meet with my teacher and introduce myself and get aquainted. I am so very excited and cannot wait to hear more on this issue. Oh, today I also had my fingerprints taken. This is also one of the steps to becoming a student teacher. I think it went well, and I think they turned out. This was good news because my sister was the hardest persons fingerprints to get last year! I was nervous, but they said mine looked good, so we will see!

My Birthday!

Yesterday was my twentyfirst birthday, and it was amazing! It all started at midnight. I went out to the bars with my boyfriends brother and his roommates. Jon is not 21 yet, so he was the DD. What a great boyfriend! After having way too much fun at the bar, Jon picked me up and took me home. I couldn't get the toothpaste on my toothbrush, due to lack of hand eye coordination! Haha. But I did manage to brush my teeth. Jon said that I just hit the toothbrush on my teeth, but I remember actually brushing them. :) Then I talked to Jon and kept talking, and talking, and talking. He kept telling me to stop and to go to sleep, but I would not. Once my head hit my pillow in a comfy place... I was out! Sunday morning came and I woke up at 11:00, made myself some bacon and Jon made me toast, it was delicious! After breakfast I got ready for my party at Applebees. That was a lot of fun. I got to meet Dan FINALLY! And I got to talk with three very cool girls from my classes. Jon and my brother were there too. 4 people had problems with rides and work, so were unable to make it :(. The rest of the day I just relaxed. It was very nice, and a perfect Birthday! Jon got me Brad Paisley concert tickets, his cd, Dierks Bently cd (he opens for Brad), and dinner at Olive Garden!!!! I cannot wait! OH, and he got my the prettiest boquet of flowers! Now next weekend I get to go home and celebrate my birthday all over again! Living away from home is awesome haha. Well, that was the story of my 21st birthday. Hope you enjoyed!

Thinking

So today I have done A LOT of thinking. I have had all day to do pretty much nothing, so I have thought a lot. I thought about all of the homework that I should be doing, the places I need to go, and the people I need to see. Today my mom texted me to tell me to be safe tonight if I go out at midnight for my 21 run. I am going out, but hopefully not having more than 4 drinks. That is my plan at least, I will let you know how that goes.

I was at Jon's brothers house today and Andy (Jon's Brother) invited me to go out with him and his friends tonight when I turn 21. I am going out with them and hope to be back home in bed by 2! I am not a night person! I know it will be fun, but I wish Jon could go with me. Oh well, it will be fun! Haha.

Today I also thought about my good ol friend Teresa Ide. She is studying at Sea this semester! How cool! She has always been an extremely adventurous person, and that is what we all love about her. I have been reading her blog and am in awe. She has an amazing writing style and experiences so many cool things. I hope she is safe at sea and comes home in one piece!

I have also thought about my Theatre class today. We have to Honor someone next friday. I have to honor Jon... this is proving to be quite challenging. I dont want to just pour my heart out to him in front of a whole class so I am struggling with what I should do. It will come to me eventually. If anyone has an idea, please let me know!

Dentist

So on Monday I went to the Dentist. I was very nervous because I had not been to the dentist for three years! Yikes, I know. Well, I went and the dental hygenist kept saying all of these numbers to the other lady who was recording them onto a chart and I had NO idea of they were bad or good. So I started freaking out more. Well, she decided to explain to me what she was doing and it turns out that 1-3 are good and 4 is getting a little bad. I had all 2's!!! I was very pleased. Then the Dentist came in. He was very nice and very talkative. If you do not have a dentist you should go to Bearable Dentistry! Anyway, NO CAVITIES!

New Semester Jitters

So far this semester seems like it will be pretty easy, but for some reason I already feel behind. I think it is because the only classes I have had so far are Art, Dance, and Theatre. I have not been to a class yet that gives me a syllabus with daily assignments. It feels really weird and it is kind of freaking me out. I also have an online class that I have not started doing yet. Well, I did the first assignment of introducing myself, but I have been putting off the rest of the module. I should probably get going so I do not get behind. Today I feel very out of my element and behind and it is giving me butterflies. I know that sounds stupid, but yes 20 year olds still get the first day jitters! Today is my first Childrens Lit class and I am a little jittery about it. I think maybe I am just worked up because I have SO much going on in the next few weeks. Oh well, let's push through and move on! COME ON SUMMER!

The Next Few Weeks

So today was my first day of my last semester down at the University of Idaho. I am so excited to get school over with, but at the same time I am going to be sad when it comes time to say goodbye to all of my friends here. I cannot dwell on the sad though I have to move forward and make good memories while I can. Speaking of which... I turn 21 in just 11 days! I cannot wait to finally be 21 and be able to have a drink at dinner out with my girls! Sorry Jon, you have to wait until August. I am kind of in a rut though. I am unsure if I want to spend my 21st with my family and celebrate with lifetime friends from back home, or if I want to go out to dinner and just grab a bite to eat and get a drink with the friends I have down here in Moscow. I am thinking I will end up going home if the weather is good and then I can do dinner with the Moscow crowd when I get back. I know my family will want to see me and spend this long awaited birthday with me but I just dont know if I want to drive all the way home. We will see.

The Next Step in My Life

I always say I love having a huge family, and I always say I love my life. That is true, I do love my family and my life, but I am still unsatisfied. I have a sister that just drives me nuts. I love her to death, am her best friend and worst enemy. We have fought since the day we met and loved each other since that same day. I just dont know why we always fight and are in each others business. For me I think it is that I want to protect her from making stupid choices, but I guess I have to let go and just let her do stupid things so she will learn from her own mistakes right? I just cant bring myself to do that, but I know I need to. It is so hard to just watch someone you love ruin their life. She has made some incredibly stupid decisions in the last two weeks and I just dont know what to do. It is so hard to just sit back and watch everything happen. I cannot wait until I am 30! We will both be happily married, hopefully, and have kids of our own. I hope that when that day comes we both go back to just being happy for one another and not always trying to fix the other persons life. I cant wait for the next step in my life because I know it is going to be so amazing. I will have a real job that I know and love. I will be married to an amazing boy. And hopefully my siblings will be matured. My life will be great just like it is now but I hope it is just a little less immature. I am so sick of piddley little arguments and concerns my sister has. I am so sick of people thinking I am still the same person I was when I was 12. I just want to be respected as an adult and I feel like in my family that will not happen until I get married, move out, and have a child. I just cant wait to be FREE! It will be so nice but I also dont want to just skip this part of my life. I need to enjoy it for all that it is and more. I just dont know how right now.