5 Years Ago Today...

Five years ago today I had just moved to Provo, Utah, and applied for a job at Convergys. As I was sitting in the lobby waiting to take a computer test, in walked James Michael Simmons with his brother, Brodie. I watched them as they filled out their applications at the desk, thinking that the shorter one (James) was pretty cute. We all took the test in the same room and then had our individual interviews. James had his before me and somehow I overheard that he was hired. Little did I know that I would also be hired, be in the same training group with him, not talk with him during our week in training, quit after the training for another job, go to work where two of his step-brothers worked-one of which lived with him, and ultimately be asked to James' house by his step-brother, which would end up being the first night we talked/hung out and lead to six months of dating, five months being engaged, and currently four years of marriage. I love you James! I can't imagine life without you and I am so grateful to have met you five years ago.

Happenings

We haven't been up to much since I've started working. We've finally fallen into a half-normal routine, which I'm loving. Though we've had a little something extra thrown into the mix this last week: In addition to our being on the Ward Activities Committee, we've also been called as nursery workers! This Sunday was our first experience with the nursery, and I think it went really well. Obviously for James there is no better calling-two hours of toys and snacks, what more could he ask for? :) I was a little worried at first, other people's children are not always my favorite thing, and I was scared that two hours would be such a long time. But the time went by really fast and the children are really well behaved, so I think it will be fun! After church we went down to Brodie and Jennika's to eat dinner and watch the Texans game. We also played a little Tetris on the Wii of course. Shortly after this picture of the guys was taken, Brayden got up on the coffee table and said in the sweetest and most gentle voice, "She's beautiful! Uncle James, look she's so beautiful!" And he was pointing at me! It was the cutest thing and best delivered compliment I've ever heard! So this is a pic of me and Brayden after I got done hugging and kissing him. Also, today I got my diploma in the mail! Seeing it did make it seem more real that I'm a college graduate, but I still don't really believe it. I've been telling James that I want to take an accounting class or two in the Spring. I just can't give up school! And finally, I think we've found our Mexican place! Tonight we went to Julio's up in Tomball and it was SO SO good. It's out in the middle of nowhere-love-has a really nice atmosphere (you can eat outside and listen to the Texas country music)-love-and the salsa, chips, shrimp quesadillas, beef fajita nachos, and cheese enchiladas were fabulous.

Working Girl

After searching for two months, I finally started working today! This new job is such an answer to prayers, it's exactly what I wanted. Before we even moved here I would tell James that I just really hoped there would be a member in our new ward who needed someone to work in their office. Then last week my name was passed on to a member who was in need of an office worker, I interviewed yesterday morning, and started this morning! I was passed up for a job I interviewed for at a country club last month because I was "over qualified", and ever since then I have been really sad because I thought it would have been so great, but this is SO MUCH BETTER. Heavenly Father certainly knows what's best for me way more than I do and I'm so grateful for that.

To celebrate, James and I went to Olive Garden last night. My parents had sent us a gift card for our anniversary, so thanks Mom and Dad - it was delicious! I had a lovely summer laying by the pool almost every day and catching up on my television, but I'm so excited to be busy again and have something to take my mind off of missing Utah. AND to have extra money for clothes and house things :)

Finally... Alabama Football!!!

I am SO excited that college football has started again! I've missed it so much! I think I've decided that fall is my favorite time of year. I love when it starts getting cooler outside, shorter days, cooking chili, wearing my BAMA hoodie, watching College Game Day on Saturday mornings, and college football all Saturday long. Love it! We've decided that we're going to Alabama for thanksgiving, which is also the weekend Alabama plays Auburn IN Tuscaloosa... so at the very least we'll be going to T-town on game day to eat at Wing's and show James what college football is really like :) But hopefully we'll be herewith 101,800 other people watching this. Currently Bama is beating San Jose State 31-3... Roll Tide Roll!!!!!!!

Cowboys Game

This week we got to go on a little trip to Dallas! Sally got us all tickets for a Cowboys game weeks ago, and since Jessica's birthday is at the end of this month we decided to make it a birthday celebration as well! We all got there at various times on Thursday and then met up at Pappasito's for dinner. It was a much better experience for me than I had two years ago... but I still thinks it's just over priced good (not fabulous) Mexican food. After dinner we headed over to the stadium, which I think all stadiums should imitate - it was amazing! Everything was so nice and it was air conditioned and fabulous.

Even though none of the Cowboys starters played, the game was still fun since they ended up winning in the last two minutes. And what made MY night was as we were walking around outside to get to the car, we just so happened to walk by where the players were leaving the stadium and walking to their expensive cars and I got a picture of Miles Austin! I love seeing famous people up close!

We came back this morning EXTREMELY tired and with a new wave of sickness - we thought we were over the cold that's been going around - and poor James had to go to work this afternoon. But he says it was worth it.