First Apartment

Moving went a million times smoother than I thought it would. After adjusting dates and looking at multiple moving trucks, we went with Budget because it was the cheapest, and they gave us the option of a 10' and 16' truck for the exact same price. So a 16' it was and we completely filled it! Haha.

When we went to return the truck we found out that most Governors kick in at 65mph and Jake's was kicking in at 75mph! I'm sure it wasn't the safest thing in the world, but we were able to get to our apartment at a decent time where friends could help us unload. Major blessing.
Can I just say right now how expensive moving is? Golly gee! But hey, we're here, it's over with, and we shouldn't have to do it for another 2 years. :)
Our apartment is literally the cutest thing ever! The kitchen is older looking. But the carpet and paint are less than a year old. I was super nervous being the clean freak that I am, but I actually love the place so much.
(Sorry for the horrible quality of photos. I am terrible with indoor lighting and majority of our curtains are broken.)

The front door opens to our huge living room. We have one couch that sits two people. Jake and I can't really cuddle on it because there's cup holders in the center. Haha. But it fits perfectly into the room.

The kitchen is attached to the living room. Our table takes up quite a bit of room, but we make it work.

I absolutely LOVE all our photos and cute quotes throughout the apartment. I got all mine from my wedding besides the canvas. They have been waiting over 8 months to be hung! They seriously make our apartment a home.

Our laundry room is darling! I love having a washer and dryer. (Did I mention we only paid $150 for both of them???!!) The cabinets right above make life so much easier. Definitely having those in our future home.

The office is probably my favorite room. Maybe the fact that I have my own space, or the fact that Jake put photos of us all over his desk. I'm not sure. I just know that I love it. :)

The bedroom is spacious. I'm trying to figure out what to do with the negative space, but I'm not quite sure.

Our bedding was $40 at Ross! We bought it literally a year ago, but the colors go wonderfully for the rest of the house.

Here's a few miscellaneous details throughout the house that I love.

 And here goes honesty hour.

Since the move I have missed Taz like crazy! Jake has been busy with friends and school things the past week, and I always think of Taz when I'm alone. I'll hear noises in the house and tell myself it's just the cat, and then I realize we don't have a cat. Haha. But I sure do miss him..

So obviously one day I will need a cat, but for now I with stick it out with just me and my wonderful husband. Life is good!!!

Here We Come

Packing is finally coming along! But you probably wouldn't think it if you saw our room right now. We have the majority of stuff packed, while miscellaneous items remain on our bedroom floor. We officially have a moving truck reserved and an apartment ready for us. It's a super cute two bedroom apartment with freshly painted walls and new carpet. (Happy wife!) We also have a two car garage! Jacob is pretty stoked about that one. Best of all, the apartment manager is also LDS! The price was one that couldn't be beat so we are completely blessed to have gotten this steal! 

We pick up the moving truck on Tuesday (that's in 4 days!!!) at 8:00am and we'll be leaving promptly after it's packed. As much as this move was a little spontaneous, I think it'll all work out. Just hoping and praying that my photography business can pay the bills. :)

Idaho... We'll see you soon.

22 Before 23

With the change of plans of us heading to Idaho, I decided it was a great time to update some goals! I have so much I want to accomplish within the next couple years before we have kids. So here's my 22 before 23 and I'm stoked to check these things off! :)

1. Get my work published 5 different times

2.  Learn to enjoy the small things

3. Follow a budget to a T for at least 1 month

4. Take care of myself and my husband

5. Only own things I love

6. Write 50 pages of my book

7. Try 12 new recipes

8. Get offered a job on the spot

9. Master Crock Pot meals

10. Go another year debt free

11. Shoot a wedding out of state (i.e. Not Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, or Utah.)

12. Stress less

13. Print 2 albums for my family

14. Take a vacation with just Jacob and I

15. Go to two photography conferences or workshops

16. Reach 100 followers on my blog

17. Have 52 sessions within 2015

18. Spend more time in the here and now

19. Do a DIY for our apartment

20. Practice gratitude on a daily basis

21. Have a saving account that will last 6 months if needed

22. Earn over $2,000 in one month (My income only)

Comfort Zones May Be Beautiful...

I sat in my Grandparents' massage chair enjoying my day off when I got a call from Jacob. Eastern Idaho Technical College had an opening he could fill, but he needed to give them an answer within almost 24 hours. I didn't really stress at that moment because I thought we were both set on going to Torrington. But then he said, "I think this is something we should really pray about."
Of course I didn't want to pray about it. Jake was registered at Torrington, had his schedule set, FASFA was done, and we were beginning to look for apartments. I didn't feel like it was even something to think about! We needed a NEW place. Somewhere we could become independent and stand alone.
I won't lie. I came upstairs bawling to my dad asking him what in the world to do. Now, my dad is extremely wise. He doesn't always say things in the nicest and sweetest way possible, but, he is wise.
As I talked to him he reminded me that I don't always have to go to the Lord because sometimes it doesn't matter. Such as your cereal in the morning. But, he did say that both places will have learning experiences. Which I agreed with. But I already knew Jacob was set on Idaho. And as I talked to Jacob, I made an effort to explain if he were to decide Idaho, it should be for the school and nothing else. The gospel, our marriage, and his education would need to be the top priorities.
So, we are moving to Idaho. I'll full heartedly say not by choice, because I am ready for us to be away from everyone, including my family. I believe it's extremely important for newlyweds to get away from comfort zones. It's a struggle, I know it is, but it helps you rely on one another. And truth be told, comfort zones get you no where. And Idaho happens to be a comfort zone for both of us.

I might as well give a little lecture now. Please, please, please get out of your comfort zone. I'm an extreme introvert and I started my own Photography business! I have to talk to clients daily and interact with them, which is honestly something I still struggle with today. But after all my hard work and busting my butt I can honestly say I am so glad I got out of my comfort zone! Let's be honest though. Comfort zones are beautiful. But there isn't any growth. You stand still.

We will be moving to Idaho Falls August 13th and be leaving in two years when he gets his Welding license. Hopefully this time everything will go according to plan. :)

In other news, Jacob and I got back from New Mexico last week and it was a blast! I loved seeing my sister and brother-in-law. We were even able to work at their firework stand and in White City! After working Construction, almost anything else is pretty easy. So that was nice. :) We are Sunday School teachers for the 5 and 6 year olds. They are hilarious and I actually really enjoy it. And they do too, as long as I bring snacks. :)

ASK YOUR HUSBAND

Recently I've seen multiple posts on Facebook about asking your toddler a list of questions without any promoting. The answers are pretty hilarious, but since I don't have a toddler, I decided to ask my husband. His answers are just as funny.

1. What is something your wife always says to you?

"Stop." .... "Jacob!"

2. What makes your wife happy?

Her Photography. Facebook.

3. What makes your wife sad?

Sad things. Sad Movies.

4. How does your wife make you laugh?

Just being herself. 

5. What was your wife like as a child?

Crazy.

6. How old is your wife?

She's 21.

7. How tall is your wife?

5'4...5'5. 

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Take pictures. Photography. Facebook.

9. What does your wife do when you're not around?

Facebook. 

10.If your wife becomes famous, what will it be for?

Photography.

11. What is your wife really good at?

Photography. Mowing lawns. Cooking. Cleaning. Being amazing. Making Love.

12. What is your wife not very good at?

I can't think of anything... Skateboarding.

13. What does your wife do for a job?

Construction. Slave labor. Photography.

14. What is your wife's favorite food?

Chicken Alfredo, or Chipotle.

15. What makes you proud of your wife?

Her. Everything she does.

16. If your wife were a character, who would she be?

Juno.

17.What do you and your wife do together?

Work. Eat. Sleep. Shopping.

18. How are you and your wife the same?

We're both human. We both have a pulse. We both love each other.

19. How are you and your wife different?

She's a girl, I'm a guy.

20. How do you know your wife loves you?

She hasn't killed me yet... She makes me lunch. She holds me. She kisses me. 

21. What does your wife like most about you?

*laughs* I don't know... That's a great questions. Not my money. My voice maybe.

22. Where is your wife's favorite place to go?

Chipotle and Plato's. And the pet store in the Mall.

He cracks me up! 

MEET TAZ AND STRUMMER

The cutest, sweetest, and most insane cat you'll ever meet. Sadly, I can't say he's mine. My mom had been wanting a mouser for awhile, and since Jacob Ross had a friend who was giving away free kittens, we got this hot shot. My parents had a crazy and playful cat when they were first married named Taz. And since the kitten reminded them so much of him, they decided Taz would fit him well.

Now let me tell you something. My dad has been spoiling this cat to no end. Neither of my parents are huge indoor animal lovers, but Taz has slept in their bed every night since we got him. But hey, I'm not complaining. I enjoy getting some animal time since I know Jake and I won't be able to get a dog or cat anytime soon.

And then there's Strummer! While we were in Idaho, Jake spotted a good deal on Craigslist. It's a 1999 Saturn SL. It's got less than 93,000 miles on it and gets 35mpg on the highway! Did I mention we only paid $1,340? It's not a looker, but I have loved having a great gas milage car again. But now we have two cars which mean two insurances. (Bleh.) Depending on what job I get in Torrington, we may be selling the Durango, but for now,

we'll keep it.

In other news, I had to say goodbye to two good friends. Laura and Jarrett came into Cheyenne for two weeks to work for Ross Construction. I was gone at a family reunion part of the time, but it was such a blast going on some double dates with them. Plus work wasn't so bad when you have good company.

We've still been pretty busy with work. We're both exhausted, but looking forward to our next Vacation to New Mexico which is in 2 weeks! And we cannot wait! :)

MEMORIAL WEEKEND

Jacob and I headed to Idaho for a small vacation and the Peterson/Gibby Reunion. We spent the first couple days just relaxing and getting a couple errands done. I was able to listen to live broadcasts for my photography business by a favorite photographer of mine. Marketing and learning different techniques to adapt to my photography are honestly some of my favorite things to do. Jacob and I were also able make some extra cash by selling old things we didn't need. We ended up making over $200! Pretty much paid for our trip to Idaho. 

We went to Cafe Rio and Coco Bean was right next to it, so of course I begged Jacob to take me! I had the Better Than Whatever cupcake. Soooo Good! We'll have to make it a new tradition or something. 

On Friday we left for Island Park to the cabin Jacob's grandparents own. Jacob went fishing multiple times and caught some pretty big rainbow trout. Once I brought my camera out the fish did not take any bites. 

For a new family tradition, Connie brought out a table cloth and we all traced our hands and wrote what happened the passed year. It was fun seeing what everyone wrote. We also wrote to Elder Joseph Peterson our testimonies. I can't believe he's been out for 10 months!

I have lived in Wyoming for about 15 years I have never been to Yellowstone, until now! Grandma and Grandpa Gibby offered that I could go and I took them up on it! I was shocked at how much Yellowstone actually covers, and how much there is in the park. We got to go see guessers and Old Faithful which was probably my favorite part. I was thankful my sweet husband went with us. 

All in all, it was a great week with family. I'm thankful we were able to have a weekend to take a break from the busy. I'm also thankful for the men and women fighting everyday for the freedoms we have. We truly are blessed. 

What You Need To Do Right Now

Yesterday I attended a Photography Networking Event. It was wonderful to connect with such kind and talented people in my industry. I was so glad hearing that I'm not the only one who gets lonely in this business.

A very knowledgable photographer brought up such a great point that has completely opened my mind. He mentioned that if we were ever to have a Dark Age, if all technology crashed, we would have nothing documented of this time. Absolutely nothing.

Our generation is the most photographed generation, yet no one would ever know because we don't print.

We are guilty of not printing our photos. I'm guilty of it! I have over 5,000 personal photos on my laptop and I haven't printed them. But I need to. I NEED to sit down for just an hour and pick out photos for an album. Honestly, I know it wouldn't even be an hour because I would get so into it and I'd want to just go through photos all day.

So, why don't you?

One of my all time favorite things is going through my parents old albums and seeing their awkward dating years, my mom's "I-like-your-sleeves" wedding dress, and even pictures of me as a baby! I swear I went through those albums any chance I got.

For FHE this upcoming week, I am going to go through Jacob and I's laptops and get photos into folders for different time periods. I have challenged myself to print all those iPhone photos I never got to, and make albums for them. I want to show my kids our dates, our first car, the camper, the funny faces we made. I want my kids to see that.

I challenge you to do the same.

If you have time to be on Facebook, I promise you have time to pick out some photos to print.

Go through your phone, your laptop, your digital camera, and start printing your photos! I'm not telling you to go spend a fortune, or to get them in the highest quality there is, but I am telling you to print them. You do not know how much your kids, your grad kids, and your great-great grad kids will appreciate it.