Our New Addiction

As some close family and friends know, our diet during the engagement consisted mostly of quesadillas. However, we were known occasionally to splurge our calories on a sweeter treat called Puppy Chow (AKA Chex Muddy Buddies). It is actually quite a healthy snack, based on vitamin fortified Crispix cereal, protein packed peanut butter, and antioxidant rich chocolate chips with a dusting of powdered sugar. It's what keeps us in such good shape. We actually made three batches on our week long honeymoon.

So adapting to the climate of our new home, we have found a new way to cure our sweet tooth. Our bowl of puppy chow on the counter has been replaced by tupperware containers of ice cream in the freezer. It has taken some time to perfect the recipe; the first batch we doubled the cream (that will be the last time we rely on the GPS to help us convert pints to cups). Now we believe that the possibilities are endless and we are gaining fans quickly. My dad claimed that our cookie dough ice cream was the best ice cream he had ever eaten. Stay tuned and we'll let you know when the "Van Buren Creamery" opens its doors.

Marriage, Moving, and Med School

Collin and I just recently got married June 24th in the Salt Lake City Temple. We thought planning a wedding was busy until we found out Collin got accepted into Med School at the University of Arizona and he had to be in Phoenix, AZ by July 19th for orientation. Not to mention Collin was turning 25 on July 10th. How do you plan a wedding, a honeymoon, a birthday, and a move all in the matter of around 3 weeks... Well let me tell you.

Thursday, June 24th was our day and it couldn't have gone any better! Everything went so smooth and the temple ceremony, ring ceremony, and reception was more than I could ever ask for.

Saturday, June 26th Collin and I loaded up the car and drove to Oceanside, CA for our honeymoon. It was exactly what we needed. The atmosphere there is so chill and laid back that we almost forgot what we were up against at the end of the week. We went out to eat, saw movies, went to the farmer's market, went to a Padre vs. Astros game (Padres won....whatever), watched fireworks, played at the beach, rode a tandum bike for way too long a distance, and it was all so fun and relaxing.

Saturday, July 3rd we headed down to Phoenix to start a search for our apartment. Luckily, Collin's good friend Jason just lives over in Mesa and was so nice to let us stay at his house. Sunday we spent the day just looking at the outside and location of apartments since everywhere was closed due to the holiday. Monday we visited our top 3 favorite apartments and closed on our new place of residence, Legacy Bungalows.

Tuesday, July 6th we headed out to Lake Powell for the Maires family reunion. I can say that was one of our best trips yet and it's Lake Powell.... it speaks for itself!

Saturday, July 10th we sang every primary hymn book happy birthday song my mom could think of... welcome to my family! This was also our last day at Lake Powell and we headed back to Salt Lake.

We spent the next three days doing some heavy duty packing, but, despite all the happy birthday songs, Collin's birthday wasn't over with.

Tuesday, July 15th Collin was surprised to find all of his friends, balloons, cake, and a pool all in the same spot! He had no idea I had been planning a surprise party for him since the beginning of our honeymoon. It was an almost impossible secret to keep! It was worth it. We were grateful to see some of our best friends before we left.

Thursday, July 17th was the big day. Collin and I loaded up a 17' UHAUL and hooked his mazda up to a tow dolly and we headed down to the surface of the sun. The drive to Arizona was about 12 hours long with our UHAUL. You think after that long of a drive we would be ready for bed, but no. We wanted to get rid of that enormous truck ASAP. We unloaded the entire thing in a hour and a half. Impressed? Let me add that there was only 3 of us (Jason lucky for me came and helped out), we had 2 huge leather couches, and 3 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS IN 110 DEGREE WEATHER!!  Be assured we survived without any injuries or fatalities... although, I knew something was wrong when the package of toilet paper felt too heavy to haul up the stairs.

Monday, July 19th Collin started med school. He has a great class and the program is incredible. All my deep, unnerving thoughts about if this was where we are suppose to be have completely dissolved. After going to support forums, socials at the dean's house, and ceremonies I am beginning to feel at home and like we have a "family" here to be apart of.

Today, Friday, July 30th Collin has officially handed over his life and received his white physician's coat! It was such a neat ceremony and they had a great keynote speaker! In a way, I feel like I will be going through med school too but I don't think Collin is nearly as excited as I am (He already has his first test Sunday).

Me... I'm just trying not to get too lost in Phoenix. I don't know what people did before GPS'. I also am currently looking for a job and getting set up in school. Unfortunately they wouldn't take my acceptance into the U nursing program and I have to complete ALL of the pre-req's for the ASU nursing program that wouldn't transfer over from the U and plus some. So the plan is to apply next fall.

But here we are in the brutally hot city of Phoenix absolutely loving life and all of our adventures, but mostly just being together!