Crazy Fun

The last two weeks Jordan and I have been busy having fun. Jordan started his official on the road training which means he works 4 days one week and only 3 days the next. He worked the last two weeks from 3pm to 3am and loved it. He's hoping after these next two weeks of 6am - 6pm he can go back to the other schedule. I on the other hand have been thrown way off when it comes to a sleeping schedule, but everything is very doable.


His training has been going really well and he is getting better and more experienced each day he works. We're still waiting for him to make his first arrest, but the highlight so far has been running lights and sirens going 80 down a 25mph road trying to get to an important call. It really shows just how much he loves his job when he comes home from a 12 hour shift very excited to tell me every detail. :)


For the last 2 weeks Jordan has also been going to physical therapy for his wrist (a little tendinitis). This has been the most fun for both of us because the therapist is located right by all the tourist stuff (Disney, Universal, Sea World, etc). So everyday he had off for the last 2 weeks he had a therapy appointment, but I tagged along so we can go do fun stuff afterwards since we would already be in the area. 

• We went to Sea World
• Saw a couple of shows 
• Ate at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney
• Explored some new malls
• Ate lunch at the world's largest McDonald's (This place was huge and a blast. We can't wait to go back :)
• And lastly got some ice cream at a childhood favorite place of Jordan's - Friendly's 

Our weeks full of fun have only just begun!

Time Flys

I can't believe it's almost Christmas!! It sure has snuck up on us this year. Jordan and I have been so involved with our daily routines that time has just flown by. Jordan finished up his last day today of his firearms qualification. After seeing all the targets he brings home everyday, I have full confidence in his abilities to use his gun. Sadly this week he also got OC pepper sprayed which was not fun. After they sprayed him he had to do various tasks like shooting, take downs, fighting, etc before he could wash it off and begin the long painful decontamination process. This was no walk in the park.

Meanwhile at home, I have been busy putting up Christmas decorations and getting ready for the holidays. We will be staying here in Florida and are excited to have all of Jordan family come down and join us. The weather has been great being in the mid 70s which doesn't feel like Christmas weather, but we don't mind the warmth at all. We love it.

Even with it being so warm, Jordan and I went to one of our academy friend's house last week and had a bonfire. It was fun to roast hot dogs and s'mores and just hang out. Because our friend has so many fruit trees around her house, we got to pick a lot of oranges, tangerines, lemons, and a fruit called kumquats. Store bought fruit doesn't even come close to how juicy and big these things were. Since then we have been enjoying making frozen lemonaid and eating oranges over the sink like watermelons because they are seriously that juicy. YUM!

allergies?

Starting Wednesday morning my eyes (particularly the right one) started swelling shut. I didn't have any pain or anythng so I instantly thought to take benadryl. It got a liitle better as the day went on, but the next morning it starting swelling more. I saw the doctor later that day and everything was fine. There were no signs of anything, so he thought it might be allergies.

What's funny is that I never had allergies in my life, but he prescribed a type of steroids to take for 6 days. It's doing better, but I'm scheduled to see an allergist on Tuesday. They are going to be putting all sorts of stuff on my back to see what I could be allergic to around here.

Being the allergy pro that Jordan is cause he's suffered all his life, tells me it's a little painful and really itchy. It should be interesting. I just hope they find out what it is cause having one and half eyes swollen shut is not fun.

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One Week Down

We survived week one of the academy! Thursday when Jordan walked through the door, we had nothing but smiles on our faces. 

One week down of

Waking up at 5am
Doing stinky dirty sweaty laundry
Ironing all of the uniforms
Jordan's 3 hour long workouts
Rubbing out sore muscles
Soaking in epsom salt
Going to bed by 8pm

This week was extremely hard, but I'm so proud of Jordan for making it through. Over 10% of his class has dropped out including 2 sponsored people. We both had a shock of just how hard this is going to be, but we are both up to the challenge. Bring on week 2!

the countdown

Jordan starts the academy in 24 hours! We have been so busy trying to make sure everything is ready for him to start his first day. I kind of feel like a mother getting her kids ready for their first day of school...the list of things to do just never end.

• We have been to store after store looking for specific things on his "school list." 
• He has tried on his uniform several times and I had to even take in his shirt 6 inches because it was too baggy. (They are very strict with how you look). 
• We made sure to get plenty of healthy snacks and lunch food for him because they have 6 hours of classroom time and 3 hours straight of working out so he definitely will need energy.
• I've been doing laundry every night making sure all his uniforms, socks, etc are washed and ready to go. 
• Jordan has been going over his list and making sure not to forget anything in his bag. 
• He has been testing out some of his equipment which means I get to be flash/strobe in the face by different flashlights and handcuffed like a criminal several times. 

The list continues, but will soon come to an end along with all the piles of gear all around the house. 24 more hours!!!

We're alive and we're FLORIDIANS

Three weeks ago today we packed up everything we owned and drove away from Utah. It was so much fun driving because Jordan and I were able to laugh, talk, and keep each other awake the entire time. 

We spent two 11-12 hour days driving until we pulled into Texas to spend about 5 days with my parents. We  had a lot of fun in Texas and enjoyed being with my family. Jordan and I learned how to pressure cook meat, toured downtown Fort Worth (where I got to ride my first mechanical bull), and hang out with our college buddy David and his wife.

Once our time was up, we reluctantly got back in the car for another 2 days of driving. The last two days were a lot harder than the first simply because we were so ready to get to Florida. We got here and moved in the 29th. We were very blessed with cloudy weather as Jordan and I hauled all of our things up two flights of stairs to our apartment on the third floor. 

That whole first week were spent shopping every hour of everyday. We didn't have any furniture or food. Moving is very expensive we learned, but we came across some great deals and got a lot of things on clearance. The most surprising was saving $72 with coupons at Walmart on groceries.

(our trunk full of food)

After spending the week unpacking and going to store after store we hit up Downtown Disney, Cocoa Beach, and best of all Disney World. 

We are having so much fun and absolutely love Florida. We have a long list of things to do and go see. I'm so happy we live here!!

We Have a Place

Yaaaaaahhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is all I have to say right now. We officially have an apartment with an address. 


We have been working on apartment applications for a month and after a huge hassle with one apartment complex we simply gave up. We called up our second choice 2 days ago to find out they were having a special and it ended up being just as cheap as our first choice and it's a nicer apartment.  


It took 3 days versus one month to get an apartment. Now we can leave in 2 days knowing we actually have an official address as our destination. All I can say is things work out!

We're Moving!!!

It's official.....WE'RE GOING TO FLORIDA! 

Tuesday afternoon Jordan received the phone call we have so patiently been waiting for. HE GOT THE JOB WITH ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I can't believe my husband is going to be a Deputy Sheriff. He will be sponsored through the academy starting October 3rd. 

I am so proud of him. This whole process has been going on since November and there has been countless trips to Orlando Florida for testing and interviews, but they all paid off.

Warm Winters, Beaches, Disney World, Sea World, Florida Keys, Cheap Cruises, Snorkeling, and so much more.....FLORIDA HERE WE COME! 

testing testing...1,2,3

I just got a new phone and this is my attempt to blog on it.

And here is a random picture of jordan and I that's on my phone. Let's see if it posts.

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3 miles

For the past 3 months I have been training Jordan and getting him ready to take the PT test for the FBI. The test includes timed situps, pushups, 300m and 1.5 mile run. The situps, pushups, and even the 300m are really not a problem, it's the 1.5 mile run that Jordan has the most struggle with. He would like to eventually run it in 10:30, but for a total non runner, that's hard. 

He has been working hard everyday and for the first time ever in his entire life he was able to run 3 miles straight and even did it in 25 minutes. A month ago he could only run for about 12 minutes. I'm so proud of him! He definitely is improving...GO JORDAN!! He is on the right track to accomplishing his goals.

Interesting

Normally when I go running I cross paths with an elderly man riding his lawn mower off to the side of the road. He has taken out the blades and rides it everywhere. He crosses busy roads using the cross walk and waves and says hi to everyone that passes by. It's really quite funny.

Today when I went running, I saw another interesting person. She was an elderly woman walking on the trail. From a distance I could see she was pushing a stroller. My first thought was that she's taking a grandchild out for a walk. As I got closer I smiled because there wasn't a kid inside the stroller, it was her little dog, strapped in and all. Doesn't the dog need exercise too? Too funny! 

I can't help, but wonder who else will I be seeing while running.

The Best Husband

I have the best husband in the world!! Two nights ago I was feeling pretty bumbed. I explained to Jordan that this last week I haven't been very motivated to do the things I want to do like scrapbook, sew, etc. When I get home from work it's just so hard to get myself to do things. This bothered me because I love to stay busy and always want to be working on something. It's like I was starting do develop a lazy habit.

The next morning I drive home from work, walk in the front door and I instantly notice everything is picked up, dishes are done, the bed is made and..... there's a note on the floor from Jordan with all my scrapbooking stuff laid out. The note said "Have fun scrapbooking." He was so sweet to get everything out so it would be easy for me to get going doing something. I have the best husband in the world!!

New News

It has been a slightly busy week. On Monday we traded in our '03 Jeep Liberty and upgraded to an '06 Mazda 6. Jordan and I were both nervous just cause it's our first time buying a car. We really like it though! It gets more miles to the gallon (32 compared to 16), it's a safer car (ranked #1 this last year), it doesn't have over 100,000 miles (only 60,000), and it can hold 2 car seats comfortably (not that we will be using that feature anytime soon :) but this will be our car till we run it into the ground.



Yesterday I got my very first sewing machine. It's a Bernina 240. I have been researching and visiting sewing machine dealers for about 2 weeks. It's my graduation present from my parents and boy am I excited. I picked up the machine yesterday at 4, came straight home, then the rest of the night was just me and my machine. Jordan was very good to let me spend our date night with my new toy.



I start sewing classes in October and until then I'm just playing around with my machine trying to sew. I started my first project last night and finished it this morning. I made a headband out of a tie.



Because I don't have a lot of sewing accessories I made due with what I could find. The tie is one of Jordan's that he let me have, and the elastic that I put on the bottom is from a pair of Jordan's old pants. I found it fun trying to not spend any money and I got a new headband from it.

My Life

Instead of homework, and track, my days are now spent working, reading, baking, cooking, scrapbooking, and soon sewing. I started cake decorating classes last Thursday. I have them once a week for two hours for a month. I'm taking the basic course and love it! My first class was full of tips and tricks on how to bake a great cake to decorate. I left the class wanting way more baking supplies then I would have liked. Everything individually isn't that expensive, but when you want everything it all adds up quick. I'm excited to soon try out what I am learning.

In the cupcake department I am still baking over a dozen of cupcakes every Sunday. Jordan takes the majority to work to share, but makes sure there is enough left at home for him to enjoy too. Here is just a sample of some of the ones I have made:

Coca-Cola

Peanut Butter Cup (I wish I got a picture of the inside - they had whole peanut butter cups)

Cookies'n'Cream
I am going to post the recipe for this cupcake when I blog next because I feel everyone needs to try them. :)

My other projects have been making cards for my coaches at school. Thanks to my cricut machine they turned out great. I wanted to say thanks for all they have done to help me achieve my goals. I have posted two of the cards....one is for my track coach and the other is for my strength coach.

The Big Debate

Last week Jordan and his brother-in-law Drew found out that they got accepted into the Public Relations Program. I had full confidence the entire time he was applying that he would get in. This area of study is straight up his ally. He is so good at it (and that's an understatement!). He is thinking he wants to become an ethics director eventually and once he has a year or two of working experience he'll go back to school and get his MBA. His projected graduation date will be April 2011.

In the mean time I'm trying to decide what to do with my life after I graduate in April. It has been a huge ongoing struggle for me to come up with different options that will work for both Jordan and me. I've come across a Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College. I would be in school for another year and a half, but that doesn't bother me. I'm currently looking into all the details in applying except nothing seems to be going right. I haven't had any time to go and meet with an advisor at the college because my schedule simply won't allow it. I'm up at 5am and am on the go and not at home till 8pm. There are prerequisite classes of which 2 I would have to take from the community college on top of my full load at BYU, and since the program is 3.5 semesters long - if Jordan received a job out side of Utah I wouldn't be able to finish. This is one of those times I'm trying extra hard to be in tune with the spirit to feel if this is the right thing to do. Every step of the way I'm gathing more information and trying to assess.

My other option that I have thought about is to find a part time or maybe full time job somewhere and also help my track coach with the team. This one seems really fun because I would learn so much from my coach. He has been the head track and field coach for the 2004 & 2008 Olympics and is the national head development chair of long jump, high jump, triple jump, and heptathlon. Of coarse I would mainly coach the high jumpers because that's what my experience is in, but to learn more about everything else in the training process would be great.

Both options are good for me, but my feelings on both fluctuate from day to day, which makes the process of choosing a little confusing. Over the course of the last few months Jordan has given me blessings which have been of great benefit. The worst thing I fear is making a decision and having in a way "buyers remorse" later down the road wishing I did something else. I have yet to have this happen with a life decision. It's only happen to me when I've bought clothes or shoes :) But such is life...full of tough decisions in the moment.

A Real Married Couple

We've been married for almost 3 months now, and things definitely are starting to feel like we are a "married couple." We are more comfortable in our ward and are slowly, but surely starting to get to know people. We have been home taught twice now and we absolutely love our home teachers. One of them not to long ago graduated with the same degree Jordan is majoring in, so they have things in common. Today it was a little funny because we got stopped at the door going into Sunday School by our home teacher's wife. She said she saw us walk in to sacrament meeting and turned to her husband and said, I want to get to know them better. Her husband turned around, looked at us, and said I home teach them. So needless to say we are having dinner with them this next week. They seem like a really fun couple. So I'm hoping we become good friends and hang out. Since I'm on the church subject, I don't think I have mentioned my new calling and Jordan's as well. I'm on the enrichment committee and Jordan just got called to be the Young Men's secretary. The bishop was really excited to put him in there because he thinks Jordan can give them some stability and opportunity to go and do things because he'll have more time and has the equipment for things (such as rock climbing, mountain biking, etc) We'll be here for a few years so it'll be good.

Next on the list of being a real married couple (lol) is Jordan has a job interview on August 3rd. He's interviewing for a position on campus with the public relations people. Basically he'll be the one taking the General Authorities, who come to campus for various reasons or even Football games, around. We're keeping our finger crossed. But anyway, things are going well and we're thoroughly enjoying being one of those married couples.