Oh goodness... How I have neglected you all...

This past few months has brought many new changes to our lives. Logan and I were able to buy a house in September so we have really been working to make it our own. I feel like I have this GIGANTIC canvas just waiting to be painted... or in my case, decorated! We have really enjoyed having a place to call "Home"and all the extra space. We also added a new terror, I mean black lab to the family. Her name is Sassafras and she is absolutely adorable... when she's sleeping. I don't know where we would be without Resolve carpet cleaner and $2 Old Navy flip flops that can be thrown out when chewed beyond recognition. My dad had warned us about such things before we got the dog and I just thought he was a little confused. I have way too much pride to admit that he was right, however. I keep telling Logan maybe I'll like her better in a few months. But I think Logan summed it all up for me the other day while we were trying to figure out what we were going to do with her while we were at work when he said, "We used to live such a carefree life." Oh, how true and how much I love my funny husband. Logan and I have really started to enjoy garage sales. It's kind of our Saturday morning date now. I get so excited when I wake up and realize it's yard sale day. I just need to get better about the whole bargaining thing, I'm a total sucker! I'm always trying to figure out how I can refinish or remake something to fit our style and we've had a few really fun fix-ups.

Home Sweet Home!

Master Bath

Pantry

(Excuse the poor quality... My beloved camera is out of commission

and so we had to use Logan's mission camera)

Beautiful cabinet/ yard sale find

Thank you Craigslist for $80 hutch

Walk-in closet/ reason my husband thinks he needs more shoes

The aforementioned Sass

Goodwill table...

...turned classy white table compliments of paint and Anthropologie knobs

Dingy silver trays purchased for $4 each at swap meet in California

Shiny little boogers matched with their giant, used to be dull, friend found at a yard sale for $5

Along with all of the fun of the house and the puppy, we have learned many precious lessons. The greatest, by far. are the spiritual ones. I have wanted so many times to ask "Why?" and in Stake Conference a couple of months ago they talked about not asking why, but instead asking what, what do you want me to learn from this trial? I now find myself asking what quite often and I feel like the answer is always the same. My Heavenly Father wants me to know that I am a Daughter of God who he loves very much but who has to have trials so that my faith can be made stronger. While at a friend of mine's wedding luncheon, I saw this quote from Elder Bednar on his mother's shelf. "The tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence." I absolutely fell in love with it. I have found the Lord's tender mercies to be such a blessing in much needed times, especially lately and I know that is a reflection of His love for me. I've also learned to more fully appreciate the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I always thought about sin and what I had done wrong whenever I heard that word. I now have a much greater understanding of what it means to me. I find such comfort in knowing that when times are tough and I feel so misunderstood that there is always someone who understands and knows exactly how I feel. I am so grateful this wonderful gospel and the testimony that I have and the comfort that it brings.

Small, quick update... because Logan even said I needed to!

There have been quite a few changes in our little family over the past few months! We became aunt and uncle again in May and she is adorable! Logan just received a new calling in our ward and now he will be the second counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency. He's going to be great! He's still staying busy with work and class. I also switched callings and now I'm the Beehive advisor. I really enjoy teaching and making cute little handouts! This past month has probably been the most exciting for us for many reasons! 1) We celebrated our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY-Yay! 2) I graduated from nursing school so now I can actually spend time with my amazing husband and make him dinner! 3) I took my state board exam... and PASSED! I'm officially an RN, specifically RN 157704! So many new and exciting changes! We are so blessed and very grateful for all of our wonderful blessings!

Next up... Summer fun and vacations!

Just a head's up to all of our friends that we rarely see anymore, or atleast didn't while I was in school...
We are going to be planning a big barbecue for everyone to get together and relax, hopefully a Saturday in June so let us know when you might be available!

Apparently I'm a little behind...

I've been told by several people that I need to update so I'll try to humor the masses and throw all of my thoughts and pictures together for you. Excuse me for being busy with school and work the last few months ;)

September

So if you remember, my husband went hunting a few months ago. I finally have some pictures for you! Don't feel bad, I just got the pictures for myself today!

Here is the great white hunter himself!

And this is my father in-law and his big catch!

And ofcourse, here's the whole hunting crew! They all had such a great time, but thank goodness hunting season only comes once or twice a year cause I don't like being home alone! Hopefully next time I'll be going with anyways!

October

Now on to Halloween. Logan and I had a good time carving pumpkins and seeing our neices and nephews all dressed up this year. On Halloween night we went over to Logan's brother Travis' house for dinner and then it was off to Rachel and Nathaniel's house for a nice relaxing night full of politics and laughs.My nephew wore my costume from when I was 4!

My niece was an elk, her little brother the hunter, and daddy was the game and fish officer :)

November

I started my new job as an LPN for Select Specialty Hospital. I was so nervous when I started and I felt like I was completely in over my head. Our facility specializes in some pretty serious stuff and I never thought I would learn but I'm starting to feel so comfortable with everything and I'm really enjoying learning new things and treating my patients. I have had several ah-ha moments where I remember why I'm a nurse and I love that. It has also been nice to have a little extra money so Logan's pretty happy about that!

December

I finished up school at the beginning of the month and now I'm gearing and ready to go onto my last semester of nursing school! I am so very excited; I can definately see the light at the end of the tunnel! Christmas break didn't being much of abreak but it has been good nonetheless. Christmas brought so many fun times and great blessings. Logan was able to attend the annual Ollerton Christmas Eve-Eve Party while I was at work but I did catch about 15 minutes of it. It's always fun to see everyone. Then on Christmas Eve, my parents came down and we all went over to Chris and Jamie's beautiful new house for dinner and a white elephant gift exchange. It was so fun to spend the evening with both sides of our family. We're so blessed! My parents stayed the night with us and we woke up at about 6 Christmas morning to open presents. My husband and parents completely spoiled me. They're so nice! I got a Cricut! That was definately my favorite. But Logan also bought me a Coach purse and when I mentioned that I had my very first Coach, without missing a beat Logan said, "Your first or your last!" He makes me laugh! Logan got lots of littler stuff like a drill, a hunting game, and clothes, but my parents also bought him his favorite picture, The Prayer at Valley Forge. He loved it! We had a wonderful day just relaxing and playing with our new toys and family. I must say Christmas is definately a little crazier with 20 people at the Campbell house rather than the 4 I'm used to! We were so grateful for this special time of year and the oppurtunity that we had to read Luke together. We are thankful for this wonderful gospel and our Savior who loves us! Oh Christmas in an apartment!

My festive Christmas outfit!

Logan surprised me for New Year's Eve and planned for us to go to Payson for a few days. We showed up at my mom and dad's at about 11:30 and they were so excited, they had no idea we were coming! It was fun to relax and sew and craft with my mom for a few days. Thanks Momma! I love you!

January

Now for the recent stuff! I'm all caught up! One of my good friend's from high school got married Saturday and had a beautiful reception at the casino up there. My parents did the cake. They baked for days! This is the biggest wedding cake we've ever done (30 cake mixes). It was four tiers tall, 18", 14", 10", 6", all square, each tier was 3 cakes tall and had filling in between. My mom frosted them and then I piped all the words onto the sides. It took hours and hours! It looked amazing! My mom and dad went and set it up while I got ready for the wedding... and then it happened! As my mom was putting the finishing touches on it she realized that in that hot room with the heater vent pointed directly at our creation, the buttercream was literally melting off the sides and pulling the cake down with it! No matter how much support we had put inside the cake, it was no match for the heat but there was nothing we could do about it! I snapped apicture as soon as I got there but it had already been in the sauna for an hour and a half by then! Luckily, the bride laughed and they cut the cake first! All in all, we had a good time and it was great to see so many friends!

The melting cake... I was so sad...