Update

It has a been a little bit since I wrote on my blog so I figured I would give a quick update on a few things. Valentines day has long sense come and past. I got Melanie some flowers, decorated the table, made fillet mignon for dinner which is Melanie's favorite, oh and got her a gift certificate to get a 30 minute massage over at Sports Academy. As far as I can tell she really enjoyed her Valentines Day and so did I. Melanie made me a card, made me a CD mix, and also bought me a nice shirt to wear. I definatley enjoyed my Valentines Day.

Melanie and I continue to go to the gym to workout. We haven't quite kept up the going every single day part of the routine, but we do go at least 3-4 times a week which I am happy with. Its been over a month now, so the fact that I am still going is pretty good for me. haha. After Christmas break I weighed a whopping 207.1 lbs. That is the most I have ever weighed. Just coming home and regulating my eating helped me drop to 200 lbs. At 200 lbs is when Melanie and I started hitting the gym. I currently, as of Monday, am 189.2 lbs. In total that is about 18 lbs of weight loss since I returned to school. I am very happy about that and hope to reach my goal of 175 lbs before the summer. I have not been under 188 lbs since just after my mission. 175 lbs was about how much I weighed when I got home from the mission. It is still tough to find time to hit the gym but we are doing good at making it a routine. Even though getting on the scale I can see that I have lost weight, I've still have yet to really notice it when I look at my body. I do notice some change, but not a whole lot. Hopefully after loosing another 14 pounds I will start to see a difference.

Right now I am on Spring Break. A whole week off of school which is really nice. Although I have the whole week off I am stuck in town because I still have to work. In fact the only difference between this week and a normal week Is I don't go to school. I still have been doing homework and studying because I have lots due Monday, and a test on Tuesday. Its nice not feeling super stressed out about my homework though. Tomorrow morning I plan to get up early and to spend a whole morning working hard on homework. Id like to get all my work done before Friday. As of right now, Mel and I have plans to take Friday off and to go down to Salt Lake and spend the day relaxing, shopping, etc. Just getting away from Logan for a bit. After that we are meeting up with Jori and Alex at Alex's aunts house I believe near Salt Lake. On Saturday we are going to go snowboarding up at one of the resorts. It should be good and I'm really looking forward to a little bit of a break.

In other news, I haven't really had any luck looking for an internship this summer. I had a guest speaker in a class ask how many of us Juniors were looking for an internship, or course all of us raised our hands. There were probably like 70 juniors that raised their hands. Then he asked how many had been able to get one, all hands went down except for about 3. That just shows how hard it is to get an internship currently with today's economy. So I have been left trying to figure out what I plan to do for the summer. If I stay in Logan I would work full time again at Sports Academy. I like working there but as far as getting experience towards my major it doesn't help one bit, however it is nice to know that I would have a full time job during the summer. The other option, which is looking like the better option would be to move to Las Vegas for the summer and to work for Melanie's dad. As an engineer I will spend lots of time working with contractors. Although I would only be doing physical labor for Melanie's dad at least I could see how a contractor and his company works and at the same time get some actually field experience in construction. I feel this is really my best alternative to an internship. Now comes the bad part though. Melanie's school does not get out until the beginning of June while I get out at the beginning of May. Melanie is also planning on teaching summer school which will last to the beginning of July. In other words Melanie and I would be apart for 2 whole months each doing separate things. That being said Melanie already said she would plan to make trips down to see me, but she would most likely move home with her parents for the rest of the summer, so we could be together.

So many options, so much to do. Life is always crazy. I think lately I've really been letting it get to me because I haven't been a happy camper. I've really let stress take over. Even bishop called me in to ask if I was okay, because he felt I hadn't been as happy as I normally am. That being said I've been working hard the last few days to develop and attitude of happiness. I know I get to choose how I feel and how I react to stress and different situations. So far I think I am doing an okay job at it. I guess the person to ask would be Melanie because she is around me so much.

Anyways that is all I have to say. Melanie will be home soon and we will be off to the gym!

Its been a long week

I just need to vent on how long this week has been. Its only Thursday night but I've spent hours upon hours doing homework. I just cant seem to catch a break this semester, there is absolutely no down time. I had my first test on Tuesday in Soil Mechanics, luckily I had studied hard and got 100 percent so I was happy about that. However on top of that I've just had class after class, homework after homework. Last night I spent like 7 1/2 hours on one assignment alone. It gets really frustrating trying to figure out homework, when I feel like the teacher didn't teach us anything. Weekends you say? forget it, they are just as jam packed with homework. I need a break, I cant wait for spring break to get here.

Day 4....

So 4 days ago Melanie bought a gym membership to Planet Fitness. Because I work at Sports Academy I also get free membership to Planet Fitness. For 4 days now Melanie and I have gone to the gym everyday. We spend time on the treadmill/olyptical (sp) and lift some weights. Its been going good so far but I've been pretty sore. I'm hoping that as time goes on I will be a little less sore. We made it a goal to go every day for about an hour except on Sundays. Its been a challenge already trying to find time for us to both go. I always have endless homework, church callings, school, and work, while Melanie also has many of the same hold ups. If we keep at it we will get used to fitting it in I'm sure. Early morning work outs don't work cause they would have to be at like 4:30 am and night work outs don't work because Melanie has to go to bed at 9:30 pm. This means we usually go between 4 - 7 pm. Unfortunately that is when the rest of the world gets off work and the gym is usually packed. I suppose all this sacrifice is for a good cause though, cause when I have a rocking body you wont know what hit you! haha

Work also started back up this week. I had a lot of time off because of Christmas vacation. I have only had one day and go back for the second here in about an hour. Works always nice, besides I get in a little more exercise on those days cause I usually go early to swim a few laps.

School has been crazy lately. I have 16 credits which is a ton for me as an engineering student. It basically means hours upon hours of homework every single day. I'm doing my best to keep up but it hasnt been easy. Starting next week I have my first tests, which I am not looking forward too and am pretty nervous about. I've put in my time though, so I should do okay.

Everything else in life is pretty much the same, just busy busy busy. Valentines Day is coming up soon. I'm not sure what to get Melanie yet. I'd ask for opinions but I dont believe anyone follows my blog, haha, except maybe you (Melanie) cause you just found out about it.

Dentist...

One thing I forgot to mention that occurred this break was my extreme tooth pain. Back in the summer of this year I broke a tooth chewing on a Now-N-Later. I went to a dentist in Logan but there was a mix up with insurance and stuff so they couldn't do anything to fix my tooth. I got really busy and wasn't able to get back to the dentist. When I got home to California I went to the dentist first to get my teeth cleaned and for them to take some x-rays. I set another appointment to come in and get a cap placed on my tooth. I went in and they drilled and put on a temporary cap. After a few days I started experiencing extreme pain on the tooth they work on and the same tooth on the opposite side of my mouth. It was Friday at the time so I couldn't make it to the dentist till the following Monday. I was so sensitive I couldn't chew on either side of my mouth. So on Monday I went back to the dentist and got more x-rays. The dentist drilled on my temporary cap, he figured the pain was coming from the fact that my cap was too long. He gave me a prescription for antibiotics and required me to take Advil three times a day. A few days have gone by now and my mouth is feeling a lot better. Its not perfect but It feels a lot better then before. Today I go in for my fourth and hopefully final visit to the dentist this break. I am going on to get my real cap put on. Hopefully I am not in too much pain. Wish me luck!

Its early in the morning!

So, Its about 4:30 in the morning right now. After dinner last night at 6:30 pm I laid down and drifted off to sleep. I didn't wake up till about 2:00 am. Opps! So here I am wide awake early in the morning. Melanie is up and about getting ready for work so I text her a bit and then decided to write on my blog. haha. Anyways, Christmas break is just about over. This is my last week here in California and I head back to Utah on Sunday. Jori and Alex left this morning back to Idaho. Christmas was great this year we had almost everyone down except Randy and Jessi. It was a lot of fun having Reagan and Seth with us also. Reagan definitely had more presents then the rest of us and was very excited to open up her new toys. Seth and Reagan were only able to stay for two days but it was nice to have them down. Most the break was spent shopping before Christmas and playing games.

Melanie came down for a week which was really nice. It was her first time in this part of California. Due to the rain and cold weather we didn't do too much out of the ordinary. There was no beach trip, or trip to see the big trees, etc. That will all have to wait for another time. We did get in the spa and play games with the family though.

The big family trip this break however was going up to China Peak (formally Sierra Summit) and hitting the slopes with all the family. When I say all the family I mean all of us! We had Grandma, Mom, Dad, Me, Melanie, Jori, Alex, Devan, and Stephen. Jori, Alex, and my gift to Devan and Stephen this year was to take them snowboarding for the first time. So us five were on snowboards with Mom, Dad, and Grandma skied. China Peak had been hit super hard with lots of snow during the week so the snow was nice, a little heavy, but nice. We spent most the time on a really easy run though cause we were teaching Devan and Stephen, plus Mom and Dad hadn't skied in a while. Grandma spent her time on the bunny hill, because it was only her second time ever skiing I believe. I think the cold and the ski boots were just a little too much for her though. All in all we had a lot of fun. At the end of the day Jori and I went up for one last run, we went down a black diamond that was close but had a few trails already on it. We were up to snow that sometimes was as high as my waist. It was crazy but lots of fun. When we got to the bottom the cat track hadn't been plowed so we had to walked about 1/4 a mile back to the lifts but it was well worth it!

I'm sad Christmas break is coming to and end. It just means I head back to school to start another semester. This semester is going to be super hard and super busy. I have more credits then last semester, harder classes, and still have my job and church calling. Melanie will be really busy with work and her church calling too. I guess we will just have to have faith and take each day one at a time. Although things will be rough I look forward to the future.

Update....

Sooo....It has been forever since I've written on this blog. I would say this is the start to me continually updating it, but that is probably a lie given the fact that the last time I wrote was almost 2 years ago. Anyways I figure a quick update on the last two years is in order. Probably haven't mentioned this but Jori and Randy both got married in the last two years. Jori married Alex Neibaur and Randy married Jessica Anderson. Yes that means I was passed up by two younger siblings, oh well. haha.
In the last two years I graduated from BYU-Idaho with an Associates degree in applied engineering and then transferred to Utah State in Logan, Utah in order to finish out my bachelors degree in Civil Engineering. My first year in Logan has been great. I've made lots of new friends including the reconnection with my old mission buddy Tanner Mortenson. My first semester at Utah State included meeting new people and finishing up the few classes required to apply for the Professional Engineering Program. I stated in Logan during the summer which I have to say is the nicest time of the year, weather wise. I got a job working at Sports Academy which is a fitness club. I worked 40-50 hours a week as a lifeguard and a swim instructor. During the summer I also had to take one class which wasn't too bad. In the Fall semester I was accepted to the professional program. It was a tough semester but I hung in there and did pretty good.

Now up to current events. Currently I am in the dungeon in my parents house back in California for Christmas Break. I'm excited to be here because I really needed a break from school and all the snow. Grandma Roe is living here with mom and dad, which is really nice because we never got to see her all that much growing up. Jori and Alex came down from Rexburg for Christmas and Seth and Reagan will be here just before Christmas. Randy and Jessi are spending this Christmas with Jessi's family in Jerome, Idaho. Its been really nice to have most the family. We are up to our normal arguing and all, but I don't mind too much yet. Its just nice to have family around again.

So the big news that most people want to hear is.....I started dating a girl up at school just about 4 months ago. Her name is Melanie Burr, and she is from Las Vegas, Nevada. I met her through my buddy Tanner. She already graduated from college and is a 6th grade math teacher at Willow Valley Middle School. I can proudly say she is one amazing girl. Just the fact that she puts up with me shows that. haha. I love spending as much time with her as I can! Unfortunately due to our busy schedules that doesn't always happen. Not only is Melanie a school teacher but she serves as the ward Relief Society President. I currently have school, and work, but I also serve as the Ward Executive Secretary. So if you haven't guessed by now we are in the same ward up at school. Between, school, work, and callings, we stay SUPER busy! Just like an old married couple we have set a date night on Friday nights, just so we can have a night together to further our relationship. The following are a few picture of us together!







Now you cant tell me shes not beautiful!! As you can see we have a lot of fun together and try not to be too serious or grown up all the time. These pictures were actually taken up in Rexburg when we went to visit for Randy's birthday.

Over the thanksgiving break I traveled to Las Vegas with Melanie and spent a week with her and her family, we had a lot of fun just hanging out and visiting a few of the things to do in Las Vegas. Here family is pretty awesome and I don't think they disapproved of me! (at least I hope not). In 4 days Melanie comes here to California to spend a week with me and my family! Its going to be awesome! I'm really excited for her to come!!

Anyways, that's about all that I can think of to write at this moment. Life is good, and I'm enjoying everything, even though there is a lot on my plate I have a lot to be thankful for. So during this Christmas season I'd have to say I'm most thank for for Family, Girlfriends (Don't worry Melanie, it was meant in singular form!), and Friends. Merry Christmas!

A New Year

So a new year has finally begun. Already It has been filled with lots of surprises, some good, some not so great. Its amazing how you can never predict whats going to happen in life. I was thinking about making a new years resolution this year, but I'm not sure that's really what I want to call it. I think I am just going to make some goals for this year that I will try to follow. This last year was a pretty crappy year and I really don't want to have another one like it. Hopefully things look up.

I finally got to see Reagan (my niece) for the first time a long time. It was her birthday so the family went down and celebrated it with her. She is the cutest little thing Ive ever seen! She is walking and starting to say a few little words. She also waves hi and bye to people. Its good to see that regardless of the crappy situation she at least is happy and healthy :). I want to put picture up of her first Christmas and Birthday but Ive yet to figure out how to do it on this web site.

In a few days I'm returning back to school. I am off track this semester but Me, Jori, Randy, and Jessi are taking a snowboarding class. Hopefully we get a little better then what we are right now cause we pretty much suck. haha. I'm determined to get good though. This winter I plan on going quite a few times in order to get better. I once again have to look for a job this next winter. Hopefully I don't fail like I did last winter.

Being home for the break was great. I was glad to relax and not worry about classes or worry about having to be somewhere or do something. Its been nice to relax with the family and play games, etc, since I don't get to spend too much time with them throughout the year.
Anyways I will post pictures as soon as I can of Christmas, Reagan, etc!

Well here they are....3 years late, but I figured my adorable niece still needed to be seen!