Thoughts and Discoveries

I have had a lot of time to think this week. All my finals were done on Monday so after that it has just been lots of time to unwind and relax. I thought this would give me plenty of time to get all of my stuff packed to get ready to move. This is what I THOUGHT. Instead, it is now almost Friday. Karl gets here on Saturday, and I have pretty much nothing done.

I THOUGHT I was super excited to move to Oregon, and I am. I am excited to live with Karl again. To be able to see him and talk to him with out getting a huge stitch in my neck. I am super excited for that part. But I discovered that I am not super excited to actually move to a different state where I don't know anyone. Where I don't have family close. Where I don't have friends that I can go visit and hang out with.

I thought I didn't want to pack my room because it was a big job. I think I discovered the real reason is if I don't pack I can't move. I can't just leave all my stuff, even though most will probably get left behind since we don't have tons of room in the car. :) If I don't get everything cleaned and packed up it isn't real. It isn't really going to happen and Karl can just stay here with me in my comfort zone. Stupid reasoning I know, but that is where I am right now.

I thought I was ready to be a mom. I discovered I am terrified. I don't know what I am doing. I don't know how to be a parent. Especially when I am at least 13 hours away from the closest person I know who can help me figure it out. I don't feel like I have a clue. I don't know what I should be doing to get ready, what things I need, what I need to learn. It just scares me but I guess there is no going back. And I don't want to. At all. I just wish I felt more confident in my abilities but I will figure it out, eventually.

I thought I was really excited to be done with school. And I am. But I have discovered that I wish there was a way for me to be in Oregon and still in my same nursing class continuing on in the program. I made a lot of friends. And it makes me really sad to think I will probably never see any of them again. That I won't get weekly updates on how everyone's lives are going.

I thought I like the movie "Christmas in Connecticut". It is an old black and white movie that my sister and I used to watch every Christmas Eve. I discovered I still love it. It just makes me laugh and brings back old memories. I had to have at least one discovery that didn't make me cry (hormonal pregnant woman here).

So those are my thoughts at the moment. I am really nervous for what the future holds but I have discovered that despite all that I am really excited to start this next chapter of my life. And as long as I have Karl with me I know we can handle what comes our way and figure it out.

As updates go, I get to go to the Dr. tomorrow to make sure everything is fine with the baby. I am pretty sure it is still alive. I either felt it moving like crazy this morning or I have the twitchiest abdominal muscles in the history of mankind. Karl flies in on Saturday. Sunday is my last day in Sunbeams. And we get to find out if it is a boy or girl on Monday. Kind of a busy weekend, but it is going to be great.

Guess What!!!

Yep, Karl and I are having a baby! I am about 17 weeks along and we finally told our families over Thanksgiving last week. We wanted to tell when we were together, which is pretty much never now-a-days. I was a little nervous to just come out and say it so we gave them that card to break the news. I think it worked pretty well and now they have something to hang onto.

We found out in August while we were in Oregon moving Karl up for school. We had been unloading boxes, moving furniture, and exploring the coastline for a week and I swear whenever we had a quiet moment, like the car rides, I couldn't help but fall asleep. I was a little late on my cycle and I decided that if I hadn't started before I had to go back to Utah I was going to take a test. So, at about midnight, after crying because I had to leave soon, I checked and sure enough it was POSITIVE!! So instead of leaving on a sad note Karl and I were super excited. Unfortunately I had to leave for Utah about 5 hours later, but at least I was able to tell him in person instead of "guess what..." over the phone.

But funny story, my entire nursing class knew about 3 days after I did. It was the first day of class and we were going around saying something unique about ourselves (I always hate that. I can never think of anything) to try and help the teachers remember who we are. So it gets to me and I say "I am here finishing my last semester and I just got back from moving my husband to Oregon because he starts his first semester of Optometry school today. So we get to do the long distance marriage this semester". Lots of people knew that already but some didn't so they were being nice and saying that sucks. But then one person says "Well, guess that means you don't have to worry about getting pregnant this semester". It just caught me so off guard and I am horrible at lying anyways so I just turned bright red and one of my friends looked at me and says, super loud I might add, "Oh my gosh, you're PREGNANT?!?" Didn't know it was possible to turn even more red, you probably could have cooked an egg on my face for how hot it felt, and then I started crying because I totally did NOT know what to say. I didn't want people to know yet in case I miscarried or something. So that was probably the most eventful first day of school ever for me. But it ended up being great that they knew because I had people to talk to about it when I couldn't tell anyone else.

So things have been great, I haven't really been very sick, everything seems to be fine with the baby, and in three weeks Karl and I don't have to do the long distance marriage thing anymore. Lots to be thankful for (and by the way, if my posts are too long please let me know. I don't feel like I write a lot but after I post it I swear I have written a novel. So if I need to be more brief I would appreciate the heads up. Thanks!)

Primary Program Fun

So for those who don't know I teach Sunbeams at church. That means I get to hang out with a bunch of 3-4 year olds for two hours each week. It can be stressful and drive me up the walls sometimes but I love it. I was in nursery for about a year before "graduating" with my kids into Sunbeams. So it has been a fun ride and I have loved seeing these kids grow and watch their little personalities develop over the years. They say some of the funniest things.

For example, last week we had our Primary Program. I was a little concerned because my kids really don't like to sit still and we were going to be in the front seats where the bishop usually sits, which is great for the parents who get to see their kids. Not so great when you have to try to keep them all in line. So I got to sit next to one kid who has a little harder time than the rest when it comes to behaving. We spent sacrament meeting trying to keep his shoes on, keep him in his seat when we weren't singing, trying to coax him to stand by his chair when he was, and look forward instead of making faces and poking the kids behind us.

But somehow we almost made it through the whole program without any major incidents. My class had parts towards the end and I was so proud when they got up there to say their lines. They did great. One little girl stood up, said her part, and then started bawling when she got back to her seat. I think she just got scared being up in front of all the people. So I moved over to try and calm her down while my "little friend" I had been trying to keep under control went up to say his part. Dun dun dun...

While I am trying to comfort the crying girl I hear "I can read good books" which is his part and is awesome, but he didn't stop there. He went on to say "they give me superpowers and I can KILL bad guys". Once he got yelling (since all little kids yell into the mic when they are that age) KILL over the podium one of the Primary Presidency ripped him away from the microphone but it was pretty funny. Everyone started laughing and all I could think was Yep, that's Dominic for ya.

So all in all it was a memorable Primary Program and for the most part it turned out great. So just remember, you should read good books because they will give you super powers. Whether you decide to kill bad guys or not is up to you.

Don't you think?

This is just a round of Don't you think? Let's see if you agree with me.

Beauty and the BeastI totally love this movie but when I was watching it I noticed a few things. Like...

Don't you think it is a bit harsh to turn an 11 year old boy into a beast for being mean to an ugly old lady? He's a preteen boy for crying out loud. Where were his parents?

Don't you think it is weird that Mrs. Pots has like 50 tea cup children but only ever talks to Chip? Pretty sure she didn't have 50 kids when she was human so where did all those other tea cups come from?

Don't you think the beast looked a lot better as the beast? I mean come on, all the creative minds in Disney and the best they could come up with was this?
Whenever he gets turned into the prince I always think "turn him back, turn him back!"

Next is The Swan Princess

Don't you think this movie is hilarious? I forgot how funny it is. I mean with lines like "You should write a book, 'how to offend women in five syllables or less'" and a frog trying to get a kiss every five seconds how can you go wrong? You know you love this show, go watch it again, soon. You'll thank me.

Don't you think it is impossible to find the Halloween candy you want? I swear every bag has at least one candy I really don't like. And then today I was trying to find a bag of Frooties (since they are one of my favorites), which I thought was a pretty basic trick or treating choice, and I couldn't find them anywhere. Come on.


Don't you think Karl is the sweetest most awesome guy in the world. First I have to explain why and then you will agree with me if you don't already. Before he moved up to Oregon he apparently hid some things around the house for me. When I got back from moving him in he sent me on a scavenger hunt through text and I found a gift card to Frogurt (so great).

Getting back from this last trip was even worse. I came home to an empty house and just started bawling. This time he directed me to a rose and a note he had left for me. It was just what I needed at that moment. Didn't help with the water works, kind of exacerbated that part, but the words were exactly what my heart needed.

While I couldn't think of anything except, do we have everything packed, how is this all going to fit, are we forgetting anything, crap Karl is leaving me soon. He was planning ahead, thinking of things he could do for me, and getting things lined up to show he loved me even from 800 miles away.

So, Don't you think Karl is a sweetie? Because I sure do.

Fall Break in Oregon

So I am finally in Oregon and get to see Karl!!! Unfortunately I have been really sick since I got here and have spent the majority of my time asleep in bed. But when I actually am coherent I really love it up here.

I love our apartment.
I love how green everything is.
I love actually being able to see Karl.
I love being able to watch shows together.
I love being able to make dinner together.
I love being able to talk at night without getting a crick in my neck from holding the phone.
I love going on walks at night and being able to hold Karl's hand.

I could go on for a lot longer but I am starting to fade and you get the idea. I just love being in the same state as my husband. All in all it is just better. Even if I am a zombie right now and sound like a man from my cold.

I don't know where Karl hid the camera or else I would post some pictures of our new place but I guess that will have to wait for another time. Goodnight...at 11:30 am.

Oregon

So it has been official for awhile now but Karl is now living in Oregon. I am finally getting around to putting up some pictures of our trip up to move him in.

It all started out with a going away/birthday party with his family. This is his cake. I thought it turned out pretty good for my limited skills.

Don't mind all the clutter around it. Anyways, we broke up the drive over two days but it was still super long. With a lot of effort we got all our stuff into the second floor apartment. That place is not really designed for people to move in and out, which is ironic since it is month to month rent. There was a super narrow staircase that we had to try and get our furniture up. I am still amazed we were able to get everything. Thanks Tony for being there to help. I mostly just got in the way. I am discovering I am not as strong as I think I am .

So once we got everything in the adventures began. One of the highlights....Crabbing!
It was so much fun. Here is the challenge. What is the difference between Karl's and Tony's crabs? (Besides the size). One is a boy and one is a girl. You try telling the difference.

It was great to just spend the day out in a boat trying to catch these guys. We kept way too many but it was so much fun. When we got home the boys cleaned and cooked while the girls ran to the store.
It was my first time trying crab. I am still not really sure if I like it, but Ann was in heaven.


Next adventure, going to the beach. It was gorgeous. I can't believe I didn't bring my suit because the weather was gorgeous. Then we headed up to Astoria. They have this awesome tower that we climbed to the top of.
It was so intricate on the outside. I wish I could have been able to see more of it. But here is the view from the top.

I am in love. Who could ask for a more beautiful place to call home for the next few years. I can't wait til it is my time to move up there. It has been rough not being able to see Karl and phone calls just really aren't enough, but we are hanging in there. School is stressing both of us out so I guess that is a good thing. Something else to think about. But I have never looked forward to Christmas so much in my life.

Summer Recap

This summer Karl and I were able to have a lot of fun together. We were able to test out our new tent at Moon Lake with Tony and the UFB kids. It is so beautiful up there and we were able to go White Water Rafting. My first time! And I absolutely loved it. Now I am ready to turn hard core rafter.

We also went camping with our friend Nic and his girlfriend Mari. We were able to just relax, play horseshoes, and walk through a waterfall.It was super cold, but pretty. The next day I had to work from 5 until about three in the morning (oh the joys of working at a theater). That gave me less than 2 hours of sleep before we had to leave to hike Mt. Timp. Not a good idea to attempt that hike on pretty much no sleep. BUT, I prevailed! Karl, Rachel, and Thomas were really patient with me and we all made it to the top together.


It is such a pretty hike. And it only took about 10 hours. :)

Danny and some of his friends took us down the glacier and let me tell you, there is no other way to get down. It was so much fun, scenic beyond belief, and it was a lot less work. Our next big trip was going to California for Karl's friends Justine and Lewis's wedding. It was in the San Fransisco area and the weather was great. Afterwards we went to the Oakland Zoo on our way to our Beach Campground. I got asked if I was older than 14. Didn't think I could really pass for a kid anymore, especially with my wedding ring on, but apparently I can.

I have decided if I had to be a monkey I would be a white handed Gibbon. That one was so active. It was so fun to watch. We also got to see them feed the alligators which was awesome, yet scary. I never want to be on the same side of the fence as those things.
I apparently am not good at picking new beach camping spots. They are always pretty, but it is always to cold to get in the water. We spent most of the time in jackets, again. But we still had a blast. There were tons of tidal pools and beaches to explore.
But our favorite place was our sand dune. It was quite the hike to get up but once we made it there was nothing but gorgeous sand and breathtaking views. We spent most of our time at Montana de Oro up there.
When we got back to Utah Karl took me to Wheeler's Farm. We got to see all the cute animals and I finally fulfilled a lifetime dream. To milk a cow. It was just as cool as I thought it would be. Now I want a cow of my own. Except I am sure if I had to get up at 4 every morning to milk the dang thing I would get tired of my cow very fast.
Anyways, this a little bit of our summer. Now Karl is in Oregon and school has started for both of us. It is not fun being apart but we are learning to cope. I will post some of our pictures from that trip soon. Hope everyone had as great a summer as we did!

Happy Country Days!

First off I just need to brag about Karl. Here he is with his flag football team after winning the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! Yep, I married a stud. Good job honey!

Next, I feel so blessed to be a dual citizen. I love living in America and am so grateful that I am able to live in a country that allows me all the freedoms I take for granted every day. I am also so grateful that I am a Canadian citizen and have that beautiful country as part of my heritage, even if it does cause a little persecution when I start talking about my garburator, runners, eating buns, and more. :)

I was so excited for Canada Day (July 1st) this year. I got all pumped by listening to all my canada songs, singing the national anthem (in French and English) and finding my Nanimo bar recipe. My family was in town, which made it even better, and we got to celebrate big time. We went to a parade in Riverton, hit the Living Planet Aquarium, and even topped off the night with of Nanimo bars (seriously one of my favorite treats), football, and firework popper things. It was so great to see my family. The next morning they headed off for Canada but it was fun while it lasted. Hopefully Karl and I can make it up to Canada one of these days. He still has yet to meet most of my family. I thought I had more pics but apparently this is the only one I have of that momentous day.
Me and Nat at the Aquarium.

For the Fourth Karl, Rachel, Kirsten, Tony and I went hiking up Mt. Timp. Because of all the precipitation it was quite the hike. We were able to ford a snow field
The waterfall was massive due to all the runoff. We were just going to just go to the waterfall but then we got a little adventurous. We climbed up half the mountain and across more snow fields to make it to the top of the waterfalls.
Making everyone pose for a picture. It was gorgeous up there. I love how the water goes under the snow.
Karl and Rachel started having stick fights. I swear sometimes I feel like those two are four years old and I am their mother, constantly telling them to stop picking on each other. :)
We stopped for a quick game of snowball.
Karl showing off his muscles in front of one of the waterfalls. Yeah, we hiked so that at one point I was looking down through those trees above the waterfall.
Me with my best buddy. Thanks for such a fun Fourth honey!

Our Crazy Busy Life

So life has been a bit nuts the past few weeks. Karl and I haven't been able to see much of each other which has been awful.

I have been working as a swim instructor and assistant manager at a Cinemark close to our house. This means roughly 15 hour days, and a schedule that consists of work, a nap, work, going to sleep, and then starting all over, food being optional or the theater diet (meaning popcorn and Icee's). The only time I have been able to see Karl has been my days off and maybe 15 minutes between my jobs if he got home early.

Except Karl's job has been a bit nuts lately as well. The family he cares for went on vacation so he got to sleep over there for a week. No Karl sightings. Then one of the family members ended up in the hospital for surgery so Karl has been pulling really long shifts with no days off, also contributing to Karl not being around.

But as the saying goes, "Absence make the heart grow fonder". I love it when Karl and I actually get to hang out. This weekend I got to watch him play in his championship flag football game before he had to go into work. His team won of course. :) Karl played awesome. But one, maybe two days a week of seeing each just isn't enough so I quit my swim lessons and hopefully will be able to do some day shifts so Karl and I can see each other in the evenings.

So that has been us lately. Just working and trying to see each other as much as possible. But now I need to go clean our disaster zone of a house, which is what happens when there is no time to do anything but sleep.

Oh what do you do in the Springtime?

I realized I kept checking everyone else's blogs but I haven't updated ours for months. So here is what we have been doing in the springtime:

Graduate-Karl and I ended up being in the same commencement book, so that was fun. We have both officially graduated from BYU...and neither of us walked. We'll have to do that the next time around.

Go to Weddings- My cousin got married over reading days so that was fun. My family came up and I got to see my Virginia cousins for the first time in about 10 years. It was time and we had a blast.

Spend time with Family-

Cami came up with the kids awhile ago and we got to babysit one night. I love Maddy's face in this one. We watched Tangled with them and heard all about "mommy scary", "horsey funny" and the "pincess".
Then my family came up for the wedding so we got to hang out. Tay was in heaven playing games at Boondocks with Karl. It was so great seeing everyone.

I just love my family.

Take Finals- Because the wedding took place over my reading days I didn't really study for my finals. And it showed on my test results. However, my last test went well and at least I am done with my third semester of Nursing school. That means I get my first summer off in like three years. And I'm pretty sure I passed my classes so we should be good to move on to my last semester in the fall!

Play Football-
Yes, Karl is playing football in about a foot of snow. He is in a league right now so we get to go to his games on Saturdays. This Saturday we woke up to a little snow in Draper. I swear everywhere in Salt Lake County got dusted with snow except this field in Midvale, which got tons. But on the bright side it was pretty warm despite the snow. And for the first time Karl wasn't bleeding by the end of the game because the snow padded his falls. He always has to rush the QB so he is usually diving and slipping all over the place, but he is really fast and gets a lot of sacs, so I guess he thinks it's worth it.

And finally GOALBALL-

This was our life the past weekend. Karl and I went to help with the Western Region Tournament for Goalball (at least I am pretty sure that's what it was). Karl was able to ref and I got to help at the table doing the clock, scorecards, timing, and everything else. The best part was during this game. This is from the gold medal match for the men. Karl was on the court trying to fix the tape while the teams had a time out. Karl was bent over with his back to us when one of the players started running to his position. All the players are visually impaired to begin with, but during the medal matches they also have to have patches over their eyes and blacked out masks to make sure they can't see a thing. Needless to say, this is not a good time to be running around a gym. So this kid is booking it to his spot and totally trips over Karl. Karl gets kneed in the head and this kids goes flying. Then right after that another player (who was not running but also can't see a thing) is getting into position and head butts Karl. I felt so bad for him but I was laughing my head off. I wish I had gotten that on film but my poor description will just have to do.

So that's what we have been up to lately. Karl, Rachel, and Nic made me a nice ice cream cake for my birthday. Karl's been busy with work. And now I get to look for jobs. Life couldn't get any better.

Us Lately

Not much has been going on in the Jepson household lately. I have been up to my ears with church stuff and school and it's been the same with Karl and work.

Karl:
Karl quit his job at Walmart, for which I am very grateful. He was working night shifts and was a "receiving associate", so he stocked all the dairy and meat products that came in. Wouldn't be too bad except he had to do it all by himself, which was a ton, and the shifts were spread out during the week. This meant that his sleeping and eating schedule were way out of wack, and he often just wouldn't eat. Fortunately those days are behind us and he now works in a home health position. He helps take care of an old man with dementia and his wife, who has beginning stage Alzheimer's. He's so great. He comes home everyday and just says he wishes he could do more to help out the family. I sure married a sweetheart. Karl is also an assistant ward clerk in charge of memberships, so in a ward with tons of apartments he is constantly trying to figure out who is moving in and out. And he just got back from a weekend in Michigan. He flew out to referee for Goalball, a sport for the blind and visually impaired. All in all he's doing great at keeping busy without school.

Kendra:
Having two callings for church really shouldn't be a big deal, especially when one is assistant stake sports director. However, when the head sports director gets released and no one else is called and you have to get everything together for the regional tournament, it ends up being a lot. On top of all the meetings and paperwork I get to be the teacher of a rambunctious group of 3 turning 4 year olds. To summarize my weekly church experiences, I am often seen sprinting down the hallways, usually 2 or 3 times during sharing time, or out in the halls with screaming kids during class so my partner can teach the rest of them. It's a learning experience.

Other than that I just do school work, or avoid it like I am right now. I am taking a medication for my TB that completely wipes me out, which makes me feel pathetic because it's not like I am really doing anything. I'm currently doing clinicals in Labor and Delivery and I LOVE being around all the babies. I'm completely baby hungry so I have loved being able to hold them. I have always wanted twins and last week I got to hold some in the NICU. It is official, I want my own. They were so small and adorable. I can't wait for school to be done, for multiple reasons.

So that's us right now, nothing too exciting.

Adventures in Sunbeams

For the past year I have been in Nursery and LOVED it. When we got called Karl and I were sitting outside the Bishop's office talking about what we thought we would be called to. I kept saying it was going to be nursery because I thought it would be the best calling in the world, but I didn't really think we would get it. Then we went in and it really was nursery. I just started crying. I know that is where I needed to be and I loved every...well, almost every...minute of it.

Now I have officially graduated, along with my old nursery kids, so we all get to be in Sunbeams together. It is quite the change. You go from playing all day, sitting for a 5 second lesson, and eating treats to being expected to sit still and be quiet for 2 hours. But somehow we will all survive together.

I just love the things the kids say. For example, one little boy told me after class that at four o'clock (I don't know why it was 4 but apparently that was important) he was going to go to space. And whenever we ask them a question the answer is Jesus.

But what melts my heart is when they ask about Karl. He isn't my partner anymore, now that he is an assistant ward clerk, but he helps on occasion. A little girl kept asking me all day "Where is Carlo? Is Carlo sick? Where is he? I miss Carlo." The other kids are always asking about him too. I don't think they remember my name but they sure know and miss Karl. He is so great with kids.

So it's going to be a long year but I am determined that I am going to love sunbeams just as much as Nursery. I just need to come up with ways to keep them quiet in sharing time and entertained in class. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Pay it forward

Pay it forward 2011:

I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. You must in turn, post this (FB or Blog) and send something YOU make to the first 5 people who comment on your blog (or FB post). The rules are it must be HANDMADE and must be sent to the 5 people sometime during 2011.

As a disclaimer I am not the most creative person in the world but I promise I will do my best. :) This could be lots of fun so comment and let's get this thing rolling!