Stress

See these faces? These are the faces of a stressed Maddie in her younger years.

I have never handled stress super well. I kind of get all worked up and worried about little things.

I'm graduating this December and I'm so excited about it! BUT, I still can't get into ONE class this semester. ONE class. Not to mention that it is 1 credit hour and it's half a semester. Who would have thought that such a dinky little class would put my graduation in jeopardy? Not me.

Well, I emailed one teacher who said she couldn't give me an add code because she follows the University Policy of waitlists.  I'm like 11th on the waitlist. Second teacher told me to come to class the first day of school and she'll see what she can do. I went to class and there were people sitting on the floor and standing outside trying to get in. Teacher told me I couldn't be added to the class when there weren't enough seats for the students already in the class. Totally understandable. But still not good.

So I went and saw a counselor. He can't  give out an add code either. He did some emailing, soothed my troubled heart, and told me to wait.

Independent study? Nah, it isn't available through Independent Study yet. Is this kind of becoming comical? It is to me.

So now I wait. Cross your fingers boys and girls. I really just want to graduate!

Second stressor? On the first day of school I didn't have class till 1:00. So I went to work in the morning. Well, while moving a used syringe from my tray I pricked myself! I was totally shocked because the syringe was already capped so there should have been no way I could have been poked by the needle. Upon closer inspection I saw that the needle had bent to the side and WENT THROUGH the side of the cap. I didn't even know that was possible! It must have been a super pointy needle.

So then I had to go to administration and go see a doctor about it all. It had to be reported and I had to get my blood drawn. Worst part? They had to call the person the needle had been used on and have them come back in to have their blood drawn. What a hassle. And so embarrassing. I feel bad I had to make them do that. Would if they are like terrified of getting their blood drawn?

I called Jordan quite stressed and embarrassed about it all. He was super comforting and made me feel better. Then he asked what class I was on my way to.

Stress Management. We both burst out laughing. How appropriate.

It wasn't even by choice that I'm taking that class, it is required for my major! And I have a feeling it is going to have some much needed effects on my life. :)

Hello, world.

It's been awhile! And I have no excuse.

Life has had it's twists and turns in the last few months. But life is good. I'm very lucky. :)

Updates/events/thoughts...

1. Jordan has a new job! He is working for Bronson Vitamins as their marketer in Utah. He is enjoying it! He is also doing some things on his own and loves it. Little entrepreneur in the making. :) I'm really proud of him.

2. Life can start to feel really overwhelming and really hard if we don't look into all the beautiful and happy parts of it. Obvious I know. But I needed that reminder.

3. Chelsie and Jordan moved to Boston! It's sad not to have them at Sunday dinner anymore. But they are LOVING it!

4. We bought a new washer and dryer. Never did I understand how exciting buying things for my home would be! Gah. It was expensive. But they're amazing.

5. We bought a new couch! With new paint in our front room, Jordan said we could get a couch! It still hasn't come yet. But I'm really excited.

6. We bought a new lawn mower! The old one couldn't handle our grass (or weeds... still debatable). Jords really excited about using it.

7. With these new buys in the last couple of months, we can't eat out for the next year. ;) haha. kidding. But seriously, though.

8. We have spent the last week babysitting the kids/ my parents dog. For some reason sleeping over at someone elses house makes it feel like a vacation! We've been partying.

9. My dad sold his company BRAVEN! Crazy. Insipio bought it. He now has lots of free time and it's great having him around a little bit (a lot a bit) more.

10. Jordan and I went and spent a weekend with my grandparents. We asked them questions and recorded them talking and telling us stories. They are both healthy and happy, but we wanted to have stories of them recorded in their own voices. It was a great weekend! I love my family.

11. I have never been more grateful for Jordan than I have the last couple of weeks. That boy is my happiness. So happy he chose me.

12. I haven't been biting my nails! This is a big deal. Trick? Have my nails freshly painted all the time. They chip... paint them immediately.

13. School has started! And it is my last semester! This girl couldn't be happier about that.

That's what was on the top of my head. I know as soon as I publish this I'm going to remember a thousand more things to say.

Here is to better blogging days ahead!

Before and After

Something drastic just happened.

That's over 10 inches! I've been thinking about cutting my hair for awhile now, but today I just decided to do it.

Crazy! I've never had short hair like this in my life!

Test Subject

This is what my morning consisted of...

I thought I looked so cool that I had them take a picture of me. Hehe. Basically, I was was in an ankle study at BYU. They had me walk around, jump around, and performed all sorts of tests on me. It kind of rocked. Plus- I got $25.00!

If you feel like being a test subject and want to help BYU get research, they still would love volunteers! To see if you qualify, go to this link: https://byu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3CKHNFeG0R2LN8U 

I wish I could do what they do. Way cool.

Painting

This week my boss is out of town. Meaning I get the entire week to fill with projects I've been dying to do!

First on the list? Paint my entire house. Ha. Yesterday we started and I had cute Kelli Gilbert help me out. She has saved my life. I honestly could never do this all without her. Plus-- she's the best to have around and I love her to death.

Anyway, yesterday we cleaned, spackled, and painted the trim! It took longer than we expected but looks BEAUTIFUL! It makes such a different in my house already.

We realized when we were half way through this part of the project I didn't get any before pictures! Whoops. But these are some during pictures.

As you can tell, I've gone through too many sample colors on my wall. And this is only in the front room. It's been a little bit of a stressful decision. But I'm excited to slap some paint on the walls and post pictures up of the final color!

I've collected a bunch of pictures-- but here are a few that are my inspiration. :)

Summer

School is over and Jordie and I have begun to enjoy summer. But, this summer has been a lot different than previous ones. I've never had a summer with Jord! Last summer was spent in Israel. Mixed emotions come when I say that word. I instantly start missing Jordan even if he is sitting right next to me. I feel the need to jump over and kiss and hug him all over. But, I also feel like bursting into tears because I miss that place so much. So much growth and learning happened there I could never describe it all in words. Ah, Jerusalem will always have a corner of my heart.

Anyway... enough with my rant. Here are my--organized into a list-- thoughts on this summer so far.

#1- We love seeing our gas and electric bill come to us at all time lows. I think it has become a game for us. This last month Questar mailed us a $17.33  bill! I put it on the fridge because I was so proud.

However, bills like this do not come without consequences. Our house is smokin'-- always. But, most of the time we are at work. So we suffer through it in the evenings, open the windows at night, and we do just fine. 

That number there in the bottom left hand corner... that's the temperature inside our house. 81 degrees. Told you it was hot.

#2- I've painted my nails like 4 times already. That's a big deal. Usually Jord has to remind me over and over again because they get too ugly looking. But I haven't even let my nails chip without repainting them! This is a luxury I know I will not have forever. So I'm enjoying it.

#3- All I do is work. Or at least it seems like it. I used to have a break from school and go to work, and a break from work and go to school. Now I just work, 7:30-5:00. It would be nice to have more time on my hands, but it is super satisfying! I like feeling like I'm helping more with our families finances. That makes me feel good, and I'm sure it makes my hubby feel good too.

#4- I actually feel motivated to cook! During the school year by the time I got home I was so exhausted the last thing I wanted to do was cook. Well-- I'm improving. And I like it! One day I'll be a cook like Betty Crocker. At least I hope so.

#5- Jord and I think it's time to party everyday. It's been so long since we have had total control of what we want to do in the evenings instead of being forced to write papers, read, or do other dumb homework. So we treat everyday like Saturday. It rocks!

By the way, we saw World War Z last night with my brother and his cute girlfriend-- and we loved it! Go see it if you are up for an intense movie. We talked about it all night. Long hair isn't Brad Pitts best look, but there wasn't even time to think about that during the movie. I had to be concentrated on not screaming if I zombie popped out of nowhere.

#6- My house has remained clean longer than ever before. I should clarify that-- my kitchen has remained clean longer than ever before. That's right, I do dishes all the time. And I don't even care because I have nothing else to do. Proud wifey, here.

#7- We FINALLY fixed our broken sprinklers! My lawn is so happy. It's starting to turn green again!

Oh, and look at this tiny lemon my moms lemon tree made!

Cutest lemon I've ever held. It smelled so good too!

Alright, that's it. My list of 7 things about this summer. Ha.

Now I think I'm going to go grocery shopping. :)

FREE!!

I just got done taking my last final exam!

I. AM. FREE.

I'm completely giddy about it too.

Also, I've had a mental shift over the last few months. I'm not sure PA school is my thing. Is it weird that I think being on a research team would be the coolest thing in the world? One day.

Also... a guy called me and I get to participate in a research study on ankle stabilization! Wahoo. I seriously am so excited about it. I made the control group squad. ;)

So this girl is feeling pretty happy today.