A Few September Pictures....

SEPTEMBER has come and nearly gone!

Here are just a few (literally) of the pictures I have from September. The rest are on facebook. I promise to have more pictures here on the blog for next month!

DJ bought a "Bazinga" TBT shirt, we have been watching Season 6 (We were a little bit behind) and we are now ready for the 7th season!

We spent a great deal of time reading and checking out Barnes & Noble, I also started school and spent WAY more on textbooks then they could ever be possibly worth.

One day, we went out for a lunch at Café Zupa's, one of our favorites!

An Update From The Mein Clan

Dearest Readers,

I'm sorry, once again, for the giant gap in-between posts! Things have been moving like crazy around here, and I'm just now getting a chance to catch my breath.

Basically here's what's been going on:

* I had to get a new HP laptop because my old one (lovingly referred to as "Dell-mator" passed on after about 5 years of faithful service)
* I have 5 awesome online classes that I'm taking through SLCC. I'm super busy with homework and readings, and I love it! School is awesome, and learning is great! (Just don't ask me how I feel during finals week)
* I've had I want to say... 6, job interviews, turned in WHO KNOWS how many applications and mailed off countless resumes and reference letters. My stud of a husband has been awesome and has helped me become more assertive with getting interviews.
* My last job interview at an Elementary School in Springville, Utah I thought was "The one" but they ended up hiring someone else, and I was VERY sad. I felt like Heavenly Father wasn't hearing my prayers.
* After I picked myself up (it took a few days) I've had 2 interviews for a job at a school in Provo that FLIPPIN ROCKS and I'm hoping to get it, I hear back from them on Thursday... I love the facility, the students, and even the office lady there!
* I officially think moving stinks
* My "baby" sister turns 16 today

So... first things first, my husband and I are all moved in and settled in our new apartment in Orem, Utah. We are loving it! We had our first dinner party with our friends The Mitchell's last night- I made my very first homemade bread, a roast, potatoes/carrots and a strawberry cheesecake for dessert. I felt like freakin' Martha Stewart! And my husband helped a lot with shaping the bread dough into dinner rolls and with the cheesecake. (My husband is pretty much the best at all things sweet) I also cleaned up the house a little before they came over and had a candle lit and everything! It was nice to have our friends over to thank them for everything that they have done for us!

Just to give you an idea of how amazing my amazing friend Rhiannon really is, after our car accident (a mild one, no worries) about a month ago, Rhiannon drove out to the car shop to pick DJ and I up, then took us home and fed us both dinner/dessert and then drove us home afterwards. She also came to help us move, help us set up, lent us a vacuum and tool kit, and drove me to one of my interviews. Rhiannon is the best friend a person could ask for. I love her for many reasons, one of which is her willingness to help a friend in need. I always say you can find out who your true friends are when it comes time to move :)

I also got really sick (I usually get some form of a cold/flu this time of year... last week. I had it during my interview, but covered it up pretty well. Then I was pretty useless for a couple of days until about Thursday when I started to feel good again. I still have a cough but I feel myself healing. But for a couple days DJ and I were both really worried! I was worried I would give it to him, and DJ was worried because I was having a hard time breathing. But I'm on the mends, and DJ did get a little bit of a head cold, but with all the OJ he drank and the Airborne he took, he was pretty much invincible.

DJ is just pluggin' along at work, he is such an awesome hard-worker. I just love him!

Tonight we are having Family Home Evening tonight for the first time in our new home, using the FHE binders I made. The lesson is on the blessings of paying tithing, and I'm making "Rich brownies" for dessert! I'm so excited to get started on the FHE tradition!

-Until Next Time....

Taylor

It's Been A While!

Dearest Readers,

Okay, so I think we all agree that I'm the worlds worst blogger! For real.... But I have a good excuse, I promise! Last week I had a JOB INTERVIEW (gasp!) And I nailed it!!! Wahoo! I also had a few other job interviews after that one... And I'm still waiting to hear back on a couple more! Among that, I also started school... TODAY! I have a very full schedule. I'm telling ya I will be doing my school work for what looks like about 5-6 possibly 7 hours a day. Yep! I'll be busy. I also started doing a little craft business on the side planning out Family Home Evening lessons and assembling them in a cute binder to sell. It's doing pretty well! All in all, I haven't really had a moment to breathe since last week.

Lots of things are in the works right now with DJ and I. Big LIFE CHANGING THINGS!!! It's a roller-coaster ride of new jobs, apartments, schools, etc.. I feel like a whole new person! I don't want to say exactly whats happening right now, because I want to know the full plan, and things are always changing! But lets just say it was the best of weeks, it was the worst of weeks. It's been very emotional... And yes, I've cried, a lot.

DJ has been amazing though. He is my rock! I also am so grateful for the hand of the Lord in my life. At one point this week, face full of tears, dropped to my knees, I looked up to see a picture of Jesus on our window ledge, and I felt such an amazing feeling. Pretty much, I just said "Heavenly Father, I've done all that I can do. It's in your hands now, I'm giving you my life, tell me where to go/what to do." And with that, I felt a great sense of security. Thank HEAVENS that Heavenly Father can direct my sails, or I'd be lost in the ocean of not knowing what to do.

I feel his blessings in my life, in our life, and I am trying to make sense of many things that are happening right now. Life is funny, isn't it? But life is a beautiful mess, and I'm happy at the end of the day to be here.

Until next time,

The Mein's

July 23- July 26

Dearest Readers,

Looks like we have some catching up to do! On the 23rd of July, DJ surprised me (in a way) with tickets to the rodeo!!! being a city-girl, the rodeo was something that I had never done before, so I was excited to try something new. Before the rodeo, we put on our jeans, and shared a steak dinner. We got to the event a little early to watch little kids ride on sheep, which was pretty cute, and a few of the kids made it pretty far! Then we watched the guys ride on horses (My favorite) and then the bulls.

Although the Mein's probably won't be going to anymore rodeos, we actually had a pretty good time, and I'm glad I tried it! The next day was the 24th, which is a state day in Utah. DJ had the day off work, so we ran a few errands, and then made our way up to Salt Lake to spend the evening with family. We had a BBQ, and then we watched fireworks at the house.

I'm so lucky to be married to the most wonderful man in the world. He is always trying his hardest to make life more fun, and have us try new things together as a couple. I'm so blessed!

 

  

 -The Mein's

THE WEEKEND

Dearest Readers,

Our weekend started off with a fancy date night to McGrath's in Sandy I had the Parmesan crusted halibut, which by the way- is the greatest culinary masterpiece EVER, and DJ had the Salmon and Clam Chowder. I love getting dressed up and going out for date night, we always have a really nice time.

During dinner, I got a call from mom, who knew we were coming up because I had asked if we could stop by when dinner was over. She said she had come by some free tickets to the Barry Manilow concert that night, and wanted to know if we would babysit my younger sisters. I said we would, so we finished up dinner and headed over to my parents house.
I was just finishing picking up a little around the house, mom and dad came back! The concert had been cancelled due to illness, so we chatted for a while and then left around 10 PM.

On Saturday, DJ mowed the lawn and washed the car, while I packed for our hike and did the laundry, and a few other household chores. Then we went to the grocery store to buy some supplies, and met up with our friends the Mitchell's around 5. We made our way up Payson Canyon to the Grotto Falls trail, and started the hike. It was a fairly moderate hike, but it was made a little more difficult from the rain which made the trail super muddy. The hike was a lot of fun, with lots of different paths to chose from, and lots of "bridges" to walk over. Soon, we were standing in front of the falls. It was beautiful!

When we got back to the car, we tried the best we could to wipe all the mud off, and then drove down to the spot where we set up "camp" My awesome husband was in charge of  getting the fire started, with the help of Jaden, while Rhiannon and I got the food together. We had roast, potatoes, and baby carrots, white rice with a chili/corn topping, dinner rolls, and fruit.

During dinner, it started to rain, but under the thick covering of the trees, we didn't feel it right away. Soon though, it came pouring down, drenching us, and extinguishing our fire. We quickly packed up the remaining items and left, in time to see a beautiful rainbow on our way back home.
Sunday was a beautiful and quiet day, though I wouldn't recommend having a BBQ in your church clothes! Before bed, DJ and I picked a Disney movie, since Disney is deemed "Sunday appropriate" here at the Mein's. We picked "Hercules"- I haven't seen that in a LONG time! Ah, memories of childhood!
Now, it's Monday and the weekend is over :( It always goes by way to fast!

But I'm looking forward to completing more of my novel this week, writing my missionaries back, and also getting more hikes in, in preparation for hiking the Y. I'm also excited to check out some new library books, and DJ and I have an appointment to view some apartments on Tuesday in Provo. This is going to be a great week, I'm looking forward to it.

Wishing You A Happy Monday! -The Mein's