Little Black (modest) Dress Party

Jason got us tickets to Detroit's 95.5 "Little Black Dress Party" this last friday. Jason loves the radio station 95.5 out here and I'll admit their morning show is by far the funniest and most entertaining morning show I've ever heard (sorry x96). They hosted the event at Sound Board inside the Motor City Casino Hotel. What an incredible venue! The Motor City is a place Jason and I have heard about and have been wanting to check out while we are here too. It was so much fun to dress up and get a private concert by IYAZ, Kristinia DeBarge, and Jason DeRulo. I didn't really know any of these artists prior to the concert, and I haven't been to many "Pop" concerts either. All I knew was Jason DeRulo's hit song "Whatcha Say" and the only reason I knew that song is because he "stole" the best parts from an Imogen Heap song, that I've been a big fan of for quite some time now. I was secretly hoping that Imogen Heap would randomly show up to perform the song with him. It didn't happen, but he still put on a great show. I picture him as an up and coming Usher. Jason tags along with me to all of my concerts so it was fun to go with him to something he was excited about. Plus I loved getting dressed up and having a night out on the town (a free one at that) with Jason!

Creepy Crawlies

Jason got quite the scare this Halloween when he found this guy hanging out on one of my shirts in our closet. He thought it was a broach at first (not sure why I would have a broach... let alone one that looks like this, but whatever). Anyways after spraying it with hairspray to see if it was a living thing and not a broach, he bravely "tomahawked" it with a shoe as it was running away. After much research to find out just what in the heck it was we've learned that we had our very own Scutigera Coleoptrata or House Centipede. Jase said it was the size of an iPhone. GROSS! My first reaction was that we were moving out right away and I have been creeped out ever since. These guys apparently eat all other bugs and some people keep them as "pets". Luckily they say if you kill the one you have than you most likely won't have any others because they can't coexist. Phew! Except since it's death we are now seeing spiders, and Jason is having a love hate relationship with this creeper... SICK

I heart Chicago.

I heart Friends.

I heart City Views.

I heart the Willis Tower.

I heart Cheese Cake Factory.

I heart the Shedd Aquarium.

I heart City Nights.

I heart Jamba Juice.

I heart Pizza.

I heart Jason.

Fridays

My Jason all to myself...

Taco bell....

Dunkin Donuts....

Baskin Robins....

and Hulu.com

Thank you Friday Nights

Decisions

We all know I have a very hard time with decisions, that and commitments. I finally got over part of the commitment phobia by actually getting married, but I still struggle with the decision end of things. My biggest one at the moment is jobs, employment, career, work, however you want to word it I just can't decide what I want to be when I grow up!

When we first moved here it took me about a month and a half to find a job.

I truly feel so blessed that I was able to find such a great family to Nanny for. Originally I didn't want to nanny again, but knew it was something I could always fall back on. No matter what the job market is, people always need other people to watch their kids. Knowing this was just a temporary position I think I was able to avoid my commitment issues when accepting this job. I still get to babysit Robbie and end up seeing them at least once a week. Jason and I have so much fun "playing house" and spending time with that family.

Anyways, I am now working at Goldfish Swim School, I've been there for just over two months now. I teach swim lessons and work at the front desk. I love it for the sole fact that I actually get to interact with people my age. At the same time, I've been told that I am overqualified for the job, there really is not much room for any more growth than I have already done, I barley get over 20 hours a week, and I'll be honest with you the pay is nothing to brag about.

That being said I've always known this was a good job to just hold me over till I could find something else. I have constantly been looking for that dream grown up job. One that challenges me and uses my hard earned college degree and one that I feel like I am really making a difference in. This job is apparently non-existent. I have however, found two different "executive" families that I could nanny for.

So it is decision time.

Do I go back to Nannying? I love the kids and interacting with them and all that goes along with that, but at the same time, I get so isolated out here when Jason and I have really no other friends or people our age to interact with. The pay is awesome. The hours are good. With the pay and hours put together I would be making over 3 times what I am making now.

But I have done the whole nanny bit, and part of me thinks... "I'm going to be raising kids for the rest of my life, if I want to work outside the home this is the last chance I'm going to have to do it." So with that thought in mind do I stay where I'm at? And continue looking for that dream job? Being able to put Goldfish and the experience I have gained there will have a greater impact on a resume than yet another Nanny position.

I also have the regret factor to worry about, if I decide to Nanny again, am I just going to get isolated and lonely again and regret leaving a work environment where I am surrounded by people every day. At the same time if I stay where I'm at am I going to constantly be thinking about the money that I am NOT making?

I know I really have no right to sit here and vent about this decision since there is a very large percentage of people in this area who would kill to have three job offers in front of them. I just can't figure it out. And I kinda need to, like tonight, so anyone out there want to tell me what to do?!

Depressed Detroit

You can take away their Jobs, their Homes, their Automotive World, but Detroit Pride is something else...

Grandma Beckstrand and our Utah Weekend

Jason's Grandmother, Jean Beckstrand, passed away on September 1st, 2009. We immediately began making arrangements to fly home that weekend for the funeral. It was hard to arrange flights, work, and all of the little details on such short notice but in the end it all worked out. We were able to spend about four days back in the great state of Utah with our family and friends. This was the first time we had been back to Utah in over 6 months and it was a much needed trip.

The Funeral services were held Saturday and it was such a great celebration of Grandma Beckstrands life. It was nice to gather with so much family and feel of all the love and support from everyone. We got to spend a lot of time with Jason's family over the weekend. We have really missed time with family and it was fun to be able to catch up and visit with every one again. Jason's sister Summer flew in from Colorado as well, we were sad that the rest of her family couldn't come with her but it was fun to have her with us. I love my sister-in-laws! It is so much fun to have all these new sisters and friends, I only wish we all lived closer together.

Over the weekend we got to spend time catching up with a few friends here and there. We had a lot of things we wanted to do and a lot of errands that we needed to get done while we were back in town. We were lucky to get most things done. Our trip was definitely to short and too overbooked but while we were there Jason and I made sure we ate at a few of our favorite restaurants that we don't have in Michigan... Cafe Rio, Jamba Juice, and Maggie Moos. We also went to Texas Roadhouse with all of Jason's family.

We were lucky in that it was Labor day weekend so we got

an extra day to spend with everyone. We spent time with Jason's Grandma and Grandpa Millward at their Ancestor party where we got to see a lot more extended family. We spent the afternoon up in Morgan with my family celebrating my Moms Birthday. My Brother Eric came home from Snow College and my Grandparents came down from Idaho to spend time with us as well. We tubed the Weber river and had a great BBQ while everyone was in town. This was Jason's first time tubing/kayaking the river with us. This is one of my favorite family activities and I was excited that Jason was finally able to do it with us. He wasn't a fan of the tubes though and after about two minutes traded me for a kayak. Tubes are the best, but not everyone can handle them. Jk

Last but not least we made sure to squeeze in hair cuts by our favorite stylist and friend ever, Marci! She is amazing and we just haven't found any one that compares to her out here in Michigan.

We want to thank everyone who worked around our schedules, changed their plans, and allowed us to come and visit with them on such short notice!

-Britt and Todd thanks again for letting us stay with you guys! We love little Kayson and still can't get over how big he has gotten!

-Grandma and Grandpa Morehead, Thank you so much for driving so far to see us. It means the world to us.

-Beckstrand Family thank you for all the food, fun, and for making us feel so at home again.

-Snyder Family- Thank you for being so flexible and understanding with our schedule. Thank you for the Sunday Dinner and the fun Monday!

-Grandma L- It was so great to see you and Grandpa Paul, and Paula too! Sorry it was such a quick visit!

-Emily and Jordan- Thank you for letting me come and stop by so late at night. I love your new home and your family so much! You guys are such a great example to us! Thank you!

It was a spur of the moment trip, and we wish we could have gone back under different circumstances but we are both grateful that we were able to spend time with family and be back in Utah for a few days. We love and miss all of you back home and can't wait till we can come back to visit again! In the mean time if anyone wants to head out this way...... hint hint! :)