A (boring) Year in Review 2012

Well another year has come and gone! So crazy!

January-April: started a new semester and it was rough! I had to draw.... I don't draw. But I got through it and actually did pretty well for having no drawing talent. I also took a photography class and learned a ton! (This whole year I've actually grown a ton in my photography and it's so great to see!)

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/04/drawing-and-2d-design.html

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/04/over.html

Randy was of course just busy with preparing for the Athletic Training Program. He's such a good student and really works hard.

May-August: SUMMERTIME! Boy do I love summertime. But this year, Randy and I both did first block classes so our summer didn't really start until Mid June. I had my first film photography class and loved it. Film is really so fun and a process that is just awesome for creating. You are in control of EVERYTHING. It's so different than digital for sure. 

This semester was a bit rough because May was the month we would have been due if I had not miscarried the October before. It was hard when everyone had their babies and I wasn't. BUUUUUUUT----The semester was more difficult because I was so sick----from being pregnant!! I remember the day I found out. So Randy and I were technically waiting to start trying again for insurance purposes, but I was really struggling with being told when I could or could not start my family. I felt like we needed to be trying. We finally talked about it and Randy said, "Let's leave it up to the Lord." It was nice not having and pressure to get pregnant but just let it happen. And WHAMBAM! We got pregnant like the first try. I had a feeling I was. While at school, I was getting these weird twingy cramps and I was just thinking, "I'm pregnant". So it was on my mind all day and finally at 9PM, I made Randy take me to Walgreens to get a test and it was positive! It was surreal and we are so excited! 

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/06/life.html

In June, we went with Randy's immediate family to the Oregon Coast. That was rough being pregnant, throwing up, not eating, and driving for hours on winding roads. But I eventually got some medicine that helped with the nausea a bit and the trip was much more enjoyable. The fresh coastal air was amazing! We went to a couple beaches, including the one from The Goonies! I also watched that movie for the first time on that trip and hated it. I just thought it was dumb :(  But I also got to watch all of the Back to the Future movies and those I loved! We flew kites on the beach, went to an aquarium, saw beautiful lighthouses, went to the Portland temple, took pictures of beautiful waterfalls (Multnomah and Shoshone) and the men went tuna fishing on rough sea waters. Let's just say they were sick for a bit but Randy says it was well worth it! Thank you Amy for a well-planned trip and for all the fun we had!

I also officially started my Photography business: registering the business (yay for taxes...), created a website and got the ball rolling. It feels a lot better actually being a legit business and not just a girl with a camera ;) I did lots of weddings, engagements, family and other sessions.

We spent the 4th of July in Island Park. I love that place. Nature rocks. We also did a Yellowstone/Island Park trip with Randy's co-workers. I love Yellowstone and I love the Playmill. We had lots of fun. 

In August we started another semester and Randy started his clinicals for Athletic Training at UVU for the Track/Field teams and Cross Country. It was nice having him nearby...and for his employee parking ;)

September-December: We found out we were having a boy, I grew and got stretchmarks, and we both went to school :) Exciting huh??

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving.html

http://searleshenanigans.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-2012.html

We have had a wonderful year with so many blessings and opportunities! We can't wait for 2013 and see what it has in store!

Year in Review

Instead of typing out a lengthy post, I'll give you summaries/highlights and the link where you can read for yourself...because the originals are better...and I'm funny in them... ;)

January: Car Accident

February: Randy's Birthday Getaway-We brought his mission buddies up to the cabin and partied :)

March: My grandma passed away and I miss her and Grandpa terribly.

April: HOUSE REDO! (the beginning)

May: U2 Concert-Pure Heaven.

June: Girls Retreat and finish the House!

July: Get to know neighbors and spend 24 hours of Awesome with them!

August: 2 1/2 week trip to Idaho

September: Turned the big 2-1!

October: 1st Miscarriage

November: Thanksgiving! (link is in December...but the title fits the month :])

December: 2nd Miscarriage, Christmas, and New Years!

Anti-climatic?? Sorry! :)

2011 was an alright year...I've heard a lot of people say that 2011 just wasn't awesome for them and overall I agree. I had a lot of heartache and hard times. But I also had lots of fun and great family to support!! I've been greatly blessed and had many new things happen!

School turned out great! Zupas was good to me. Randy's been the best supportive husband ever! Hope that this year brings good things like a baby!! Third times a charm right??

As for last years "Resolutions" let's see how I did!

1. Begin and finish Thank You cards from wedding...By march at least. 

(I know I'm bad...I'm trying...) CHECK!

2. Do lots of photography and put my name out there. KIND OF CHECK...Become more confident in my abilities and also learn more with classes and tips. CHECK!

3. Try new things. New food, new activities and new traditions. CHECK-ishhh.

4. Become fit and love myself. 

(I know this is everyone's goal. But I want to enjoy being active and doing outdoorsy things. And by having more confidence in myself, I can improve my marriage.) WOW...sounds like my marriage was rough...which it wasn't...and not so CHECK. I didn't gain any weight though!

5. Take a vacation.

Anywhere... CHECK!

6. Fix up the house and make it a home. CHECK...for the most part.

7. Continue finding new hobbies and becoming more creative. Sure...CHECK!

8. Find my outgoing self once again and make some friends. CHECK!

Thank you to Kim and Vika, my visiting teachers and my sisters that I visit for making this happen! As for the outgoing....CHECK-ishhhh

9. Attend the temple as often as possible. CHECK!

10. Start school again. CHECK!

Not bad!!

For this year..it's pretty much the same...

1. Keep pushing the photography. Build website and portfolio. Know that I'm awesome :)

2. Become fit. Happy with myself.

3. Decorate house like I picture in my head :)

4. Keep doing well in school (4.0 baby!! I did great this semester!)

5. Be able to carry and pregnancy and if not, find out why I can't.

6. Become a better Christian. Love and spread the love.

7. Prosper with ACN and break this nervous bubble I'm in.

8. Love my husband more and more and more!

9. Attend Temple more oftener than before :)

10. Choose to be happy and make it happen!

Good luck to you with your resolutions!

Christmas 2011

Our Christmas and New Years was so nice. It was a much awaited trip home and so good to be with friends and family.

We started off with Randy's parents because they would be leaving for Hawaii later in the week. We went to Texas Roadhouse...twice in one day :) Randy loved it! We had his parents house all to ourselves which was nice. 

We went to my uncle Kents house for Christmas Eve where we do the typical nativity and open a few presents, eat and play. 

Posing for the Camera

Sheny not wanting her picture taken.

My dad too.

Check out Don's face....on the left :)

Christmas Jammies!

Our awesome new ski/snow masks from Momma :)

 

Talking to my Brother who's in Peru on a Mission...You can check out his blog here.

Then we went to the Cabin. Randy's parents got a new sled and I LOVE it...Wanna see my awesome skills????

I'm being dragged....because I refuse to let go. :)

NO one messes with the pro :)

New Years was great! We got together with friends and played games all night...Randy and his brother and friend played COD til two en la mañana....Too much if you ask me! But I had my share of time wasting reading the HUNGER GAMES.

Most excellent read :)

Hope your Christmas and New Years was great!!!

Lord I'm Grateful

So grateful for this last weekend. Randy and I have basically felt like we were in a limbo. We have finals this week, we just miscarried again, and trying to decide how to start this new year. Friday, we went to the temple to prepare for Stake Conference. It was so nice to be there and just feel the spirit. I felt like I wasn't so good at the paying attention part because the miscarriage was fresh on my mind. But it was just good to sit and feel the spirit. Just to sit in the temple and know all is well. Saturday we had the Adult session of conference. Elder M. Russell Ballard was presiding so that was so neat to have him there. I love that anytime an apostle or the prophet enters the room, immediate spirit. I learned a lot about having faith and turning your troubles and burdens over to the Lord. I feel so comforted in the decisions I've made since this weekend...I know it's only Monday, but a lot has happened. :) Hopefully finals turn out well and we'll just be able to relax. That's what I need most right now. Can't wait to see friends and family at home and celebrate this christmas season.

In reflection over this year, I can only say just how grateful I am for all we've been blessed with. I have grown so much I feel just in the last 6 months with all that's happened. You have to love adulthood and the responsibilities and challenges it brings. But with God, all things are possible. We are so grateful for family and all they do for us. We love our neighbors and learning to love the ward we're in and those who bless us. 

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Shenanigans in 2010

Alrighty folks. At this time of year, it's common to reflect on the year and see what happened. Here's what happened with us two kids who are crazy in love. :)

January:

I was just starting a new semester at BYU-Idaho making new friends and becoming a part of the Get Connected Council. I had new roommates and became good friends with them all. Especially Ali Rockwood. She and I didn't really know each other but quickly became  good friends and had MANY goodtimes. :)

I also learned not to put dish soap in the dishwasher...good things don't come of it. 

Randy was finishing up the mission in Oklahoma as Assistant to the President. (He says his life is boring...)

February:

Nothing but school and Randy finishing up

March: 

Randy came home on March 18th. I wasn't originally going to go to the airport, but something pushed me to go. As soon as I saw come down the stairs, I knew I was going to marry him. 

Yes sir all we did was shake hands. We like to follow the rules. :)

April:

 On April 10, 2010, three weeks after Randy got home, he proposed to me. Read the story here. It felt like he had never left and we instantly reconnected. So good! (Best thing...we got it all documented.) 

We attended General Conference with Ali and her boyfriend Chase and we were so lucky to be able to get into a session of conference and for the boys to be able to go to Priesthood Session. Good trip all around.Randy also left for a trip soon after with his family back through the mission and throughout America. First off they stopped in Mt. Rushmore, next Council Bluffs, then onto Oklahoma. Then a church history tour; Nauvoo, Kirtland, etc. He loved it and I missed him sooooo much. Torture!!

May:

I started working at Famous Daves and loved it. It was a fun place to work and I met lots of people. 

Randy was getting ready to get back to BYU for the summer term and finish his freshman year. 

June: 

We got our engagement pictures done and we bought a house that his sisters have also lived in. It's been a great starter home and we're so blessed to have it. I also started a new job at MD's Dinky Donuts. Two jobs and it was good for the pay, but it was hard. 

Ali got married to Chase Rockwood and those two are so awesome together. Have been from the very beginning. 

Randy started school in June. It was hard to be apart, but it helped him a lot and get re-adjusted to life at home. 

July:

Impatiently waiting to be married...

August:

Took family pictures-the last time we had done that was 10 years earlier. 

I quit my jobs and prepared for the big day. I took my endowments out Aug. 17 and it was amazing. Keegan and I went through together because he got his call to Lima Peru!

August 21, 2010, I got married to the man I am proud to call my husband and best friend. (I have yet to do a wedding post with pictures and the details. New years resolution???)

Honeymooned in Washington DC and New York-see here.

September:

Turned 20 and became an adult! :)

Moved to Provo.

October:

Got a job at Cafe Zupas. 

Got my Nikon D-90!

Got into blogging more.

Started a photography blog. (Working on a website now.)

Authentic Flair Photography

November: 

Keegan left on his mission.

Got me a Kitchenaid mixer. :)

Hosted dinner parties.

Got a calling-Relief society pianist.

Doing photoshoots. 

Randy started working at the Library at 5am in the morning. (He's awesome I know.)

December:

 First Christmas and New years eve as a Searle.

Went to the cabin for Christmas.

Notice how I got sick of writing everything and just went to highlights? Ya....sorry....

Also, everyone seems so hyped up for the new year and all the excitement it will bring and I feel like the biggest party pooper because all I'm thinking is ,"BIG WHOOP. Another year..." 

2010 was good to me. I made so many new friends, lost so many friends, learned life lessons, got married and became a somewhat "independent" adult. I wouldn't trade anything I did this year for anything. Best year thus far I would say. 

Well now for Goals for the Next Year-(I don't do resolutions. I think they're stupid.)

1. Begin and finish Thank You cards from wedding...By march at least. 

(I know I'm bad...I'm trying...)

2. Do lots of photography and put my name out there. Become more confident in my abilities and also learn more with classes and tips.

3. Try new things. New food, new activities and new traditions.

4. Become fit and love myself. 

(I know this is everyone's goal. But I want to enjoy being active and doing outdoorsy things. And by having more confidence in myself, I can improve my marriage.)

5. Take a vacation.

Anywhere...

6. Fix up the house and make it a home.

7. Continue finding new hobbies and becoming more creative.

8. Find my outgoing self once again and make some friends.

9. Attend the temple as often as possible.

10. Start school again.

We'll see what 2011 brings!

p.s.

***Randy's Resolutions:***

1. Love my wife and make her happy. ((Good one I say!))

2. Live a Christ centered life.

3. Go snowmobiling, dirtbiking and have as much fun as possible. (Work hard, play hard.)

4. Get good grades.

5. Have a kid. (Just Kidding he says). (Hey-parenthood starts when they're in  the womb...just sayin.)

Peace and Blessins'

Seriously a bad day....

Poooooooooooopy day. BLEH. I just want to go to sleep and have it be a new day already. Doesn't make things better that my hubby is in Idaho and I'm here in Provo....sulking. ;)

Well enough pity party. Let's talk about Christmas!

I was lucky to be able to get ten days vacation from work. Can I get a WOOT WOOT! It was great. We left the friday before and headed to Shelley and spent some days at my house. We went to Kamden's basketball game and Karissa's piano recital. Then on Sunday we went up to Randy's family's cabin. It was great. We had all his siblings and the kids there for a week and it was so good to see them and to just be with family. I repeat this all the time---but I seriously have been so blessed by marrying into just a fantastic family. It's amazing. We snowmobiled, saw wildlife, and played games that I can't get enough of. :) We came back the next friday and spent it with family (his and mine). It's nice that we're both from Shelley and can see both of our families. Anywho...picture time?? (WARNING: There's a buttload....)

Randy elbowed my head...I thought it was funny :)

We told all the kids to take up an arrow and jump up and down. They did pretty good! :) 

Muskrats!! :)

We sent balloons to Grandpa Foster.

Isn't he so cute????

Well guys, Hope your Holidays were as grand as mine. :) I have lots of resolutions for the new year and things to get done....ALOT of stuff. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

My VERY MUCH NEEDED Christmas Break

Well well well. My christmas break has come to an end officially today and now it's time to get back to work. I get to go back 4 days early to go help the freshman with Get Connected. I'm super excited and hope to have a great time with it!

My first week was very good. I got to just relax after all those finals and wait for my grades. They were finally posted on Christmas Eve...Great present right?? I did ok. I know that I need to do better next semester. My friends and I had a black and white christmas party and that was an absolute blast. I have FANTASTIC friends! Well Christmas Eve was great. I was able to get together with most of my family (some were on missions, married, etc.). Regardless, it was fun. I do love my family and all the quirky fun moments we have. I found out my cousin's niece knows basically every song on the radio and she did a little show for me singing songs like Down and Replay and the best one Tik Tok. Hilarious. Especially when she danced. What a character :) Of course we did the Nativity. I think I was the oldest one participating, but I think it's important and I love it. I was a shepard.

Christmas Day was the best. I am so blessed. I got just what I needed plus some and I'm so grateful. My favorite gift though was from Randy. He sent me a video he made while he was bored at the mission office. He's assistant to the president now and while he stays busy in the daytime, nights are slow. So he made me a video that made me laugh, cry and excited for hisreturn in March. I can't WAIT! :) :) :)
The day after Christmas we went to the movie theater to watch the Blindside. AMAZING MOVIE. I definitely recommend it for sure. The rest of the break has been pertty awesome. I went and visited the Searle's as well and I sure love them. They make me feel like a Million bucks :)

So I also donated plasma for the first time. Definitely a weird experience. So I went in and they did an extensive physical and interrogation (or so it felt) process. I finally got into the back to donate after two hours. I had to prick my finger and that's the part that honestly hurt the worst. I also had to do a urine sample...WHAT THE!?! It was crazy. But the actual process is bizarre. It's just like donating blood exept they pump it back in every 10 minutes. To actually understand you just have to do it. I got $25 dollars this time, but next time I get $35. Bring on the money!! :) I dunno if you can tell...but i actually got really bruised up :( BOOOO!

New Years Eve was a blast. I honestly thought that I would just sit at home and pack for college (which I was most ok with), but I went to the 14-18 yr. stake dance to watch a friend and his band play (*cough* they're amazing!!! *cough*). I guess there was one for the singles 18-30...but I didn't know..and it might have been weird (I'm just sayin'...). I ended up staying the whole time and I loved it. We had another friend there that was our age so we didn't feel as weird being the only "oldies" there. After awhile, we just told people we were chaperones lol. Amazing time though. Love new years!

This year will be amazing. I have so many great things coming up and I can't wait for them. I have lots of goals, but I just have to do them one step at a time! Randy gets home in March, I will complete my first "year" of college, I'll turn 20 years old (that is most bizarre...) and many other awesome things.

Come what may and LOVE it.