Christmas in Yakima

Wesley and I spent our first Christmas with his family in Yakima. We drove up on Saturday which was Christimas Eve. There was a lot of snow the night before which made the roads very icy. We made it safely though. There were big parties with his entire extended family on both Christmas Eve and Christmas. It was a little surreal for me but really nice how his family still did a traditional Christmas with the entire family, matching pjs, and lots of Christmas gifts. I haven't had that with my family in a long time. His parents were so nice to me and got me lots of Christmas gifts. We also saw one of his close friends growing up at Miner's on Monday and ate at a delicious Yakima Mexican restaurant El Portone before we drove back on Tuesday. There were some parts where my social anxiety kicked in, particularly the family Bunco tournament, but it ended up being ok. It was a great first married Christmas with Wesley!

2022 in Review

2022 is almost at a close and this has probably been one of the biggest years of my life. So many life changes but with so many blessings. Things that would have been the highlight of some years were just one of the amazing things to happen this year. To recap in no particular order: 1. Obviously dating and marrying Wesley 2. Getting a new nephew with sweet little Henry 3. Getting a niece with sweet little Harper 4. Katie getting married 5. Moving to Idaho 2023 will also be a big year with my dad's wedding, Costa Rica trip, Harper's sealing, moving back to Utah, and hopefully starting a doctoral program. Here's to a great 2022!

Snow Days

We got a lot of snow in Boise last night and the school districts called a snow day. Luckily Wesley was able to get into work alright today with the roads. As a teacher, I have loved the snow days. Growing up, we only ever had one late-start day. Idaho seems to get the same amount of snow as Utah. We'll see how much snow we get for the rest of winter.

December Update

This journal entry will be just a general life update. I caught this horrible cold last week and felt so sick for a couple days. I also lost my sense of smell/taste for a day and it was so reminiscent of Covid that I got scared. Wesley and I both tested negative for Covid luckily. I am mostly on the mend now and my smell is back. My dad also announced that he will be getting married in Costa Rica in March. That opened up a whole new round of sister fighting. I have also been really sensitive and hormonal in my marriage. I really need to up my self-confidence and manage my anxiety. So not the best week but I hope to end it on a happy note.

Thanksgiving in Utah

I spent all of last week in Utah. It was so much fun to spend a lot of time with my family, especially Davie and Henry. The only downside was that I was away from Wesley for the first four days. We got to see his grandma and sister on Thanksgiving. We also got to have lunch with Kaitlin and Jessica at Gardner Village the day after. It was sad to go back to real life after a great week.

Time Out For Women

Leanna and I went to the Salt Lake City Time Out For Women this weekend. The theme was how to access God's glorious light. The speakers were absolutely wonderful and the concert by the Bonner Family was amazing. It was also nice to spend some time with Leanna after living in Boise. I now want to go to the Boise Time Out For Women. They even gave us a free Deseret Book tote bag and Sweet Tooth Fairy sucker.

In-Laws

One of the things I did not really think about before Wesley and I got married was the subject of in-laws. When I got married, I not only got a husband, but also parents-in law, siblings-in law, grandparents-in law, etc. Wesley's family is great but it is an adjustment for me as I try to find my place within his family. His parents and sister spent the last weekend of October in Boise. I felt a little left out as they played their family games and told their inside jokes. I am also just very shy and have a hard time inserting myself. His family also is really into games and my shyness doesn't help in games. I hope that I'll be able to become more comfortable around them and more assimilated into the family as time goes on. I really enjoy Wesley's grandparents at least. I miss my own grandparents who have all passed away a lot and being with his grandparents helps fill that void.

PSI Test Center Administrator

I started my new as a test center administrator for PSI about 2.5 weeks ago. I did 3 days of online training and then two weeks of on-site training at the Boise testing center. I already enjoy it a lot more than Just For Kids and I enjoy that it is a lot of autonomous work running the testing center. I am already getting the hang of proctoring all the different types of tests. Idaho insurance tests are definitely the most common. I am also getting certified to do fingerprinting and processing I-9 documents. I like that I am back in a leadership job. I will update!

PhD Application

I am in the thick of my application to the University of Utah's educational leadership and policy PhD program. It's mostly the personal statement and the argumentative essay that are tripping me up. I feel like my ideas aren't solid and my academic writing skills are rusty. I at least have 2/3 of the letters of recommendation set and the rest is just clerical. I am hoping to have it in by Thanksgiving and have some back-up doctoral programs in mind just in case.

PHACE

I found out yesterday that my baby nephew Henry has something called PHACE syndrome. It is a very rare disease and there are less than 1,000 people worldwide who have been diagnosed. It started with a red splotch on his forehead that spread to his right eyelid. It was diagnosed as a hemangioma and an MRI showed that he has an enlarged artery in his brain. Right now he only has a mild case and meets only two of the five criteria. It is just imperative a neurologist treats the brain issue and an ophthalmologist monitors his eyesight. I was really worried last night but I'm praying about his treatment. His doctor is positive his outlook is good. I will update!

Katie’s Wedding

Wesley and I went to Denver this past weekend for Katie's wedding. It was a great weekend with family. We flew in on Saturday morning and met up with my parents. We stayed at a really nice Martiott that used to be the Colorado National Bank. We got to look at all the really old bank vaults. We didn't get to see Katie. She cancelled the housewarming party because she and John were still recovering from Covid. On Sunday Wesley and I went to Meow Wolf with my dad and his fiance during the day. We then arrived at the wedding early for family photos. It was a short but very sweet ceremony before dinner and toasts. My dad gave a nice toast where he introduced our whole family including Leanna even though she wasn't there. On Monday Wesley and I went to the Denver Mint in the morning and went back to the hotel to say goodbye to my parents. We hung out with Katie at Union Station and ate at Snooze and went to the new Tattered Cover with her before our flight back to Boise. It was a great wedding weekend and I'm excited to have John as a brother-in-law. I only wish Katie and Leanna had gotten over their differences so Leanna could've been at the wedding. She was sorely missing.

Married Fights

Wesley and I had a little fight yesterday. It came on so suddenly and was a bit of a shock. I'm just learning how I can deal with problems with him and get back to normal afterward. I'm learning marriage isn't all romantic roses and fun, it's work too.

29th Birthday

I turned 29 on Thursday. I officially only have one more year left in my twenties. I certainly don't feel that old. This was such a special birthday because it was my first birthday being married. Wesley and I had such a good day. We got breakfast at Waffle Love and went to Zoo Boise. There were a lot more active animals than in March and we did the giraffe feeding! We then had dinner with Jared that evening. It was a great day. My dad was originally going to be in town but my cousin Christi passed away and my birthday was the same day as her funeral. She was so nice to me as a kid and her passing was so unfortunate.

Fall Festivals

Wesley and I went to a fall festival/corn maze on Saturday in Kuna, ID called Farmstead. We did the haybale ride, corn maze, and bought some pumpkins. It reminded me of Cornbelly's and the various fall festivals in Utah. Idaho certainly does not have as many fall festivals as Utah. Utahns just love their fall events. I do miss the Witchfest at Gardner Village that I went to last year for my birthday and the Scarecrow Festival that used to be held in Sandy when I was little.

Married Life

It has been a surprisingly easy adjustment to marriage. Luckily I have only grown more in love and closer to Wesley. Being married is ten times better than dating or being engaged. It's been so nice living with him and getting to wake up next to him every morning. We have also continued our tradition of exploring Idaho, going to institute, and the temple. Hopefully we can just continue to learn and grow together.

Henry Baby Blessing

Last weekend was Henry's baby blessing. Wesley and I drove to Utah for the weekend and got to spend a lot of time with family. The blessing was in Leanna's historic church building in the Avenues and it was beautiful. Wesley stood in the circle and we had a luncheon at Chuck a Rama after. It was so cute watching David bless Henry and bless him with so many things.I can't wait for Harper's next.

Hobble Creek Ward

Wesley and I have spent 2 Sundays in our new ward,Hobble Creek. It was my first time in a family ward since high school and it was bizzare at first.The family wards in Boise are huge. I miss a lot of aspects of YSA wards like the opportunities for callings and activities. There a lot of nice people though and opportunities for the youth callings. We haven't gotten callings or asked to do anything yet. I'll update.

Just For Kids

Three days after getting back from my honeymoon, I started a new job at Boise School District working in their before and after school program. I have worked at 4 different schools so far and I like it. It's been an adjustment getting used to working with elementary kids again which I haven't done since being a TA at Summit before Covid. I am slowly getting used to it though and it is a good job to have for a year in Boise before I start my PhD.

Honeymoon

Wesley and I did a 7 night cruise to Alaska and Canada for our honeymoon. It was best cruise I've been on and it was an amazing bonding time with Wesley. The cruise went to Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka Alaska. The last night was Victoria, Canada. We walked around the historical sites and Alaskan glaciers. We also saw bears, bald eagles, humpback whales and sea lions. Victoria was very British and we did a carriage ride and saw the parliament building. The cruise ship itself was also great. We ate a lot of fancy food and did the trivia and game shows. We even won 3 of them! Wesley was also a part of the magic show. The cruise started and ended in Seattle so we also got to see the Space Needle and Pike's Place. We were so sad to come back home to real life.

Wedding Day

Wesley and I got married on August 5th and it's cliche, but it truly was the happiest day of my life. I was really anxious the night before and slept horribly. But once Wesley came over in the morning, all the nerves dissipated. We were sealed at 9:00 AM in the Draper Temple by Elder Claudio R.M. Costa. We were surprised that a former Seventy from the Presidency of the Seventy just happened to be our sealer. He was fantastic! Afterwards, we took all our family and friend pictures outside the temple. At 12:30 we had the luncheon thrown by Wesley's family at Centennial Park in Riverton. They were lunch boxes from Kneaders and it was delicious! At 4:00 we headed over to Smoot Hall at This is the Place to get ready for the reception. It was pouring rain but luckily it was over by 5:00. I got ready again and we took more family and friend pictures. Then the reception started. We had so many friends and family come from all my YSA bishoprics to neighbors to friends. Pete and Aggie and the Mooys also came. Lots of Wesley's family and friends came too. We had sandwiches and spinich artichoke dip for dinner. Then we did all the speeches, ring ceremony, and cut the cake. We finished with the First Dance and the bubble farewell. It was so amazing. I will do a separate entry for the honeymoon!

Wedding Week

I am getting married on Friday. :) Wesley and I are driving down to Utah tonight. Tomorrow we are shopping for reception decorations and I am having my bachelorette party with Kaitlin and Jessica. On Friday we are doing last minute prep for the honeymoon and wedding and the parents' dinner. Then Friday is the wedding. The next time I write, I'll be married. :)

Pioneer Day

This is my first 24th of July in Idaho. It's not like in Utah where it's treated like a bigger and better 4th of July. When I was little, it was essentially celebrated the same way as the 4th with barbecues, fireworks, and parades. We would always have a barbecue and do fireworks at Grandpa Norregard's house and the Albanos were usually in town. I do not know what Wesley and I are doing for it today but they might mention the pioneers at church.

First Niece

Wesley and I got the news while we were battling Covid last Sunday that his brother and sister-in-law got chosen to adopt a baby girl. Her name is Harper and she is so cute. She's such a miracle to the family and I am so excited to have my first niece!

Covid Positive

After 2.5 years into the pandemic, I finally got Covid. After years of anxiety over catching it, I didn't panic as much as I thought I would. Wesley also had it. Luckily our symptoms were very mild and both of us are mostly recovered 10 days later. Here is a day-by-day timeline of my symptoms: 7/5: Phlegm and frog in throat 7/6: Fatigue, chills, fever, stuffy nose 7/7: Cough and stuffy nose 7/8: Cough and stuffy nose 7/9: Decreased sense of smell and taste, tested positive this day 7/10: Stuffy nose and cough gone by the evening 7/11-7/13: Decreased smell and taste 7/14: Smell and taste mostly back

4th of July 2022 in Utah

Wesley and I are spending this 4th of July weekend in Utah. Yesterday we got to pick up my wedding dress and see the seamstress. It was beautiful, especially with the blush pink. We also got to spend time with my parents and the Turleys. It was so nice getting to spend time with my adorable nephews, Davie and Henry. We might try to see some fireworks tonight or tomorrow and we're driving back to Boise tomorrow.

Henry

My nephew Henry was born on Saturday, June 25th. Wesley and I were in Utah for the weekend and got to meet him at the hospital. He is the cutest and chillest baby. It was so nice after having to stay outside at the hospital after Davie was born due to Covid. We're going to Utah again this weekend for my wedding dress and 4th of July.

Soon to be Nephew and Weekend

My adorable nephew Henry is due any day now. Wesley and I will be in Utah next weekend and I can't wait to meet him. In other news, I still need a job. But it's coming along. Yesterday Wesley and I went to the Idaho State History Museum and had dinner at a Basque restaurant.

Exploring Idaho

I have explored a lot more of Idaho this past week. Wesley and I went to the Weird Al concert with his parents and friends on Monday. On Saturday we went to the World Bird of Prey Center. It is one of the only breeding facilities for California condors. It's raining again today but it should be a good day at church.

Rainy Weekend

It was a pretty relaxing but cold week. We have been busy with church activities this week. This weekend we were supposed to go to the Birds of Prey Center in Boise but it was too cold and rainy. We postponed that to next weekend. But we bought Wesley's wedding ring and the Weird Al concert is tomorrow.

Washington Weekend

Wesley and I spent this Memorial Day weekend in his hometown of Yakima. I got to spend more time with his family and meet more of his extended family. His grandparents and aunts and uncles were so sweet. We also spent time on the Yakama reservation and the museum and old military fort there. It was a great first visit to Washington and Oregon.

Wedding Shower

Leanna and David threw us a wedding shower in Utah on Saturday. It was nice to be back home for a couple days. We had a pretty big turnout with Kaitlin and her family and Wesley's friends. All three of the Cressall aunts came in addition to my parents and my dad's new girlfriend. Wesley's grandma and uncle were also able to make it. We had lunch and played a Bingo game with facts about me and Wesley. This weekend, for Memorial Day, I get to see Wesley's hometown in Washington and his family is throwing us an engagement party.

Idaho Days

I have been living in Idaho for a week now and it has been pretty great. Wesley and I went to FHE, to the movies, the temple, and the Boise Greenbelt last week. This week we are driving down to Utah for our wedding shower. Still no job but I hope to have one by the end of the month. I will also be getting called to the FHE committe in my new ward. I will update!

Idaho Resident

I officially moved to Boise. I drove up on Saturday and moved into the apartment on Sunday. I am really enjoying Idaho so far and I am excited to explore more of the state this summer. The apartment is also really nice. Wesley and I are also finally living in the same state which is so nice. I still do not have a job but I am applying like crazy.

Boise Move

This is my last week living in Utah for the next year. It is a rush of planning and packing in addition to job hunting which is unsuccessful so far. I am officially driving to Idaho on Saturday and Henry's baby shower is on Friday. I was in Boise this past weekend and Wesley and I bought a couch and a dining room table for our apartment. I will update!

In Laws and Engagement Photos

This weekend was once again jam-packed but a lot got done. Wesley flew to Utah Thursday night.On Friday we went to his sister's graduation at BYU. It was the first time I got to meet my in laws in person and I really like them. On Saturday we went to a Jazz game. It was only the second game I've ever been to and they actually won. Today we went to church and took our engagement photos. We took some at Rotatary Park and This is the Place. We got some really cute photos.

Easter Weekend

Another Easter and Utah weekend with Wesley has come and gone. On Saturday, we went to This is the Place to prepare for the engagement photos. It has really expanded since I was little. I also did my last animal handling shift at the museum before I move to Boise. We also saw Secrets of Dumbledore. There was some drama near bedtime. Charlie the cat went psycho and attacked me and Wesley. I cried and cried afterward that Wesley was hurt in my home. He was forgiving about it and was more concerned about me. He's such a keeper. Sunday my mom was still pretty riled up about the night before, but we still had an Easter dinner and egg hunt with the Turleys after church. I had to remember that Christ's Atonement and Resurrection are the true meaning of Easter to get me through.

Apartment and Boise Weekend

I spent this past weekend in Boise with Wesley. We did a lot of fun things including having dinner with his friend, the reptile zoo, a church Easter living painting show, the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, and a murder mystery dinner. Wesley actually ended up winning the murder myster competition so that was awesome. The best thing is that we got accepted for an apartment in Boise on Friday! It is a pretty small one-bedroom but it's great as a newlywed apartment. I move in on May 8th.

Wedding Planning

It has been one week since the engagement and Wesley and I are making some good progress on the wedding planning. We booked Smoot Hall at This is the Place for the reception and picked a caterer. I also bought my wedding dress on Friday. It's a pretty ballgown that I special ordered in blush pink. I will update!

Engaged

Wesley proposed on Sunday! We are getting August 5th in the Draper Temple. We are having our reception in one of the historic buildings in This is the Place. I will update!

Boise Weekend

I went to Boise to spend the weekend with Wesley. It was such a nice trip. We visited downtown, the Capitol, the zoo, the Boise River, and the Boise State campus. It was a really nice city that I had never been to in Idaho. On top of all that, we bought my engagement ring! I feel confident about moving there after the trip.

Weekend with Wesley

Wesley was in Utah for the weekend and it was amazing! He stayed at my mom's and we were able to spend a lot of time together. We went to Temple Square and saw The Batman on Saturday. He went to my ward with me on Sunday and went back to Boise. We are really moving forward in our relationship. I am spending this next weekend with him in Boise. I will update!

Colorado Trip

I just spent the past 3 days visiting Katie in Colorado. I got to stay at the new house she bought with John in Edgewater. It was a cute, small city outside of Denver that I liken to South Salt Lake. I got to go with her to some good shops and restaurants. We also went to the renovated Denver Art Museum and the Denver Meow Wolf. Meow Wolf was just as weird as the Santa Fe one but it had an alien storyline. Still lots of weird rooms. It was another great Colorado trip.

Twin Falls Trip and Romance

We took our trip to Twin Falls this weekend and it ended up being quite magical. Wesley and I met in person for the first time and he was just as great in person as he was on video call. We spent a good two days as a couple and I am optimistic about our relationship. We have even talked about me moving to Boise in the summer. As for Twin Falls, there was not much to do. Leanna, David, and I went to Shoshone Falls and the waterfall was mostly dried up. I went with Wesley to a local restaurant and then we went to the natural history and art museum and saw a planetarium show. It was a great trip with romance on top.

New Boyfriend

The guy from Idaho and I decided this weekend that we were boyfriend/girlfriend. It is pretty rare that I met a guy I have so much in common with and wants to be with me too. He is already miles better than Jack. We have to do long distance at first but I'm planning to go to Idaho this next weekend and then he will be coming to see me in Utah. I will update!

Katie Visit and Dressers

Katie came for a short visit this weekend. She really just came to get Grandpa Norregard's furniture which, inevitably, led to a fight. I could've been nicer about the entitlement she feels like she has to everything. She ended up leaving with just her china. At least the trip ended on a good note and I am excited to see her in CO in 3 weeks.

Visitors and Travel Plans

I just found out that Katie is coming to Utah this weekend. I am also planning a trip to see her new house in Colorado at the beginning of March. I am so ready to get out of town.

Covid Exposure

Well everybody, I made it 2 years into the pandemic and I just barely was exposured to a positive Covid case. It was from my coworker who had sick kids at home and still came to work without a mask. I had to run the study skills classes without her last week. It's been 4 days since I was exposed and the only symptom I have had was a killer headache this weekend. I am hoping to have a negative Covid test tomorrow. I will update.

Study Skills SSC at Davis

I am plugging along at the student success coordinator job. It is pretty tough running the study skills class now and dealing with a bossy coworker. But those difficulties are in every workplace right?

Planning 2022 Trips

I want to plan the vacations that I am going to go on this year. I am really really hoping that Covid calms down enough that I can go on my England and Scotland trip by the end of the year. I also am going back to California to visit the Albanos and Colorado to see Katie's new house. We will see if Covid EVER calms back down.

Omicron and More Disappointment

The omicron variant is sure hitting hard and so many people have gotten Covid. We are going back to certain mandates and precautions that we had before the vaccines. It does not sound like the pandemic is going away anytime soon. Sigh. On another note, I had a virtual date with a really cute diplomat yesterday. Too bad he hasn't texted since... story of my life.

Covid Scare

On Monday night, I developed a mild sore throat that I tried to brush off. By the middle of night, it was a full blown painful throat like I get before colds. By Wednesday, I also had mild confestion. I felt fine otherwise. It was milder than even colds I have had in the past, but with the omicron variant surging worldwide, I was scared. Davie had been sick over Christmas so I assume I caught it from him. I took a Covid test on Wednesday that luckily came back negative. These were the first upper respiratory symptoms I have has since the pandemic so I guess I'm pretty lucky. In other news, my dad's ex girlfriend, Cyndi, passed away from her dementia and had her funeral on Thursday. I feel bad for her kids who are only in their 20s and have lost their mom.