Joe's 30th Birthday

My Jo Joe turned the big 3-0 June 21st. He had to work 3-11 that night, so I delivered a balloon bouquet  at his work, and then I tried to have his birthday cake ready for him when he came home....don't mind his clothes..... We didn't do much, but I hope that he knows how much he means to me!! He always makes me laugh, is always singing and dancing whenever he gets the chance, and people seem to be drawn by his friendly personality. He is an amazing person, with a strong testimony, righteous desires, and he loves me!! How did I get so lucky?

A Brief Update...

Joe and I are doing really well. We have been pretty busy with school, applying for jobs, job training, and all of that funs stuff :0) I thought I had downloaded pics of the apartment and other fun...will have to paste later.

1. Joe finished the Spring Semester with all A's!! We were excited and pleased to put on his radiology program application here at CSI 104.5 points out of a maximum of 108.

2. Joe had his Radiology program interview last week and he felt confident that it went well. Now it's just the wait to hear back. They said it should be this week. I tell him that he is spoiled compared to my experience at Weber State.

3. I was rejected for financial aid spring semester. It was pretty devastating considering we were totally relying on the grants and loans to pay for school and expenses. However, I had my family fast and pray with Joe and I, and I am very grateful to say that I received a full ride scholarship for Spring, Summer, and now Fall semesters!! Seriously a miracle and blessing to have that and not add to the student loans. However, it makes finances tight, but what a huge blessing!!

4. I received a radiology technologist job at North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, ID (about a 45 min drive north west). Although I only pick up vacation and sick hours, I am grateful to have it on my resume to keep my skills up. So I do x-rays and am learning CT. It is pretty intense, but a fun experience. I hope to add US on that list, though it like they want me to focus on CT for right now. I only have one shift for June, and hoping for more!!

5. Joe has had a few job options that have come up. We keep hoping for a job that offers benefits, but to no avail. However, we are just grateful to find a full time job, even if it is graveyards as well. So believe it or not, we are profoundly grateful and hope that it will be a nice fit for him and his schedule.

6. We adopted a cat the first week of April. LOL, her name was Zippy, but Joe and I didn't fall in love with the name. So we thought as long as it sounded like Zippy, we might get away with another name. We came up with Silky, from her superly soft fur and after the character I was a couple of Halloweens agon when I was Miss Silky Adams. We absolutely LOVE her. She is a calico, mostly white (blast black!!) and has such a sweet spirit. We joke around that she isn't a cat but a dog instead. she loves to snuggle and give love squeezes. She is going to be 3 this July, and has already been potty trained, received shots, and has been neutered. Silky is a perfect fit for us. Especially for me when Joe works nights and is gone. He now has a new appreciation for the hours I put in at ICU, and I have a new appreciation for him being home alone, and sleeping at nights alone. We have only had 2 years this June 26th, but it's amazing how much you adjust to the comforts!!

7. I turned 31 years May 18th, AHHH!! Pretty crazy for me, but for some reason, I always add a year, so I feel like I have been 31 years old for awhile ;0)

8. Joe turns 30 years old June 21st...LOL I happened across our wedding license, and it has him down as 27 years old and me 29... I love my younger man and wouldn't have it any other way.

9. Our 2 year anniversary is coming up June 26th. It seems like longer than that, but that is a good thing. Joe's dad, Gary, told Joe that we seem like kindred spirits, and I have to agree. We are so much alike and just love to be together that I couldn't be happier. What a huge blessing in my life that my sister in law Rachel had such a wonderful cousin. That she invited him to spend some time with the family a few years ago. That my brother Kevin invited him to learn more about the Gospel. That he received a witness of the truefulness of the Gospel and of the Restoration in the John Johnson farm in Hyrum, OH. That he was baptized, and accepted the life changes that came with membership. And most importantly, that he chose me to be married for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. We have a lot of work to do, and will need to continue to do more, but what a profound difference that has made in our lives, and hopefully in the lives of our posterity.

10. Joe was called as the fourth Sunday Elder's Quorum teacher, which he loves. He enjoys reading the conference talks and learning more about the principles taught by Modern Prophets. I was called as the Young Women's Secretary and feel very overwhelmed but excited. It is a totally different calling then I have ever had before. Luckily it's just the secretary, so I don't have as many obligations as the others. But it is fun to be challenged and do new things.

We hope all is going really well with all of you. As I used to write in my missionary letters to home, and for some reason it feels right here, God bless!!