{the goings-on}

What's been going on at the Wilson house? Studying, raking of leaves and frequent use of the cocoa latte machine inherited from mother Julie. Due to the desperate need for an updated post (and nothing to update you on) I have posted a few pictures recently taken.

First snow in Logan canyon and a friendly moose who posed for a picture and remained on the road for what I would consider an unsafe period of time. If the hunters haven't gotten her some unsuspecting traveler certainly has.

The Wilsons at most beautiful spot in the West, Station Creek, Idaho.

{Academia: a black hole}

For those of faithful blog followers who have been checking daily for an exciting update, I apologize. I literally have been sucked into the black hole I refer to as academia. McKay now refers to the computer room as my "cave". I am spending so much time with my computer I think McKay is beginning to wonder if I will leave him for the mac. We are both surviving and enjoying the journey (he still gets an occasional pie so he's a happy camper). Hopefully I will have something new and exciting to post soon (it will most likely be my nursing theory paper on grief and the terminally ill. Certain to be published.)

Where I am imagining myself after 8 hours of vigorous studying.

*A little help please*

I took this from Christina's blog (8 hours of studying a day has made me lazy, what can I say).

HERE is my cousin's blog, where I've just started an auction to help her husband, who is battling STAGE 4 brain cancer. I feel a little shameless doing this, but it's the only way I can help from 2,000 miles away. Visit. Read his story. Bid on something if you choose, or just pass the word for me.
http://bryonscrappycancer.blogspot.com/

Two weeks down...another bazillion to go

I have survived the first two weeks as a graduate student. And, with only one mild breakdown, I feel I (and more importantly, my husband) will survive. Today I made the scenic commute to Pocatello for an assessment practice day. Idaho State definitely has it's perks: free parking, and a sweet ID card boasting a very ferocious bengal.

During my undergraduate years I discovered many aspects of education I loathed. Fortunately, since graduation I have been able to force these memories to the darkest corners of my mind. How quickly they have come rushing back in a matter of weeks. It is quite unfortunate that my perspective has not changed on these issues noted below.

1. Group projects (I have two this semester).

2. APA format (whoever created this should be stocked and flogged).

3. Nursing theory.

On a more positive note, I have been surprised at some unexpected changes in my attitude in regards to education. I feel extremely blessed and privileged at the opportunity to further my education. In attempt to ease my stress over the massive amounts of reading material in one course, McKay suggested I skip some of the readings. I thought to myself, "but then I am not taking advantage of this opportunity to the fullest." For the first time in my life I am excited about what I will learn along the journey and not just focused on the outcome (which will also be fabulous). I am certain I will need to remind myself of this on especially hairy days.

Two weeks closer to prescriptive power!!!

Dating--Just when I thought I was done

I had nearly 10 tumultuous years of dating before plunging into the blissful world of marriage. Though dating offered many challenges, I enjoyed my experiences (well most of them). I even learned a few things.

1. Never let family set you up (thanks a bunch to Justin & Amy who lined me up with "smoother operator". David set me up with a great guy who had a very exotic accent--did I mention he was from Cache Valley? He retained this accent post mission, and still does to my knowledge.)

2. Blind dates set one up for disappointment (few exceptions exist, ie Becky & Eric).

3. Never date a guy with a jerky stand.

4. Dating boys with the same name can pose a potential problem.

5. Dating can inevitably end in marriage. In my case I really did marry mister wonderful.

After meeting McKay, I was happy to abandon live as a single woman and willing to thrust dating far into my past. Never did I imagine I'd enter this world again. Finding a "dateable" married couple can be quite the challenge. We've been married over a year and are still searching for our ultimate match. Coincidentally, it is the same problems that make single dating a challenge in finding the perfect married couple.

1. Compatibility. This poses a greater challenge, as there are four of you. I have a few girlfriends I could spent countless hours with, their husbands, however, leave something to be desired.

2. Children. Remember when you got married and now matter how you tried all your single friends disappeared? The same thing happens when your friends have offspring and you remain childless. It's a phenomenon really.

3. Flakiness. My number 1 pet peeve. Come on, make a commitment and stick to it, aren't we adults? (And here I thought flakiness was just a single persons excuse to escape a potential awkward date. Then again, maybe McKay and I are an awkward couple).

4. Rejection. After offering an invitation and being denied several times, I tend to give up. Though the couple always adds, "We will definitely have to do something another time," they never seem to follow through. It's not fun to be the eternal initiator.

We are currently taking applications for married friends.

I think I'll post this on Craig's List:

Young couple in search of soul mates.

Fun, enthusiastic, slightly quirky.

Tandem Bike, boat, sweet hot tub.

Must be reliable, tolerant of our weirdness

and love Delilah.

A love for pina coladas

and dancing in the rain a plus.

Florida & Dragon Baby

Posted below are some really special moments captured of our Floridian adventure.

Captain Harold introduced us to the magical world of airboats. Yes, I know we look really intense with our headsets. These allowed us to hear Captain Harold's thick southern drawl over the loud purr of the air boat. Captain Harold kept us captivated with his swamp musings. "Now that there, that's a baby alligator. Just a young 'en, maybe two years old." Captain Harold sure knows his swamp trivia, but after the tenth "now that there, that's a...." I began to reminisce about a very obnoxious mexican on the stone island tour saying "How about it, take a picture." (sorry family joke). The dragon baby was remarkably well behaved, in fact he slept the entire time.

We stopped to capture some family photos at this majestic scene. David posed with his nephew--he needs a woman.

Of course there were manatees frolicking in the mystic waters.

New Smyrna Beach. Quite possibly my favorite beach (also note the beach with the most frequent shark attacks in the US). Let the boogie boarding begin.

Not pictured.

1. The 10 lbs I gained.

2. The 30 lbs David gained (his "food budget" was quite large).

3. Aquatica--where Amy and David made fun of me screaming on all the slides.

4. Emilio begging for food.

5. Dragon baby crying.

6. Some pretty amazing key lime pie.

7. The black lizard that ruled the beach house (he was too crafty to be photographed).

8. Baby Jonas getting blessed.

9. Me reading Twilight with a disgusted look on my face (don't worry, review to follow).

10. Dragon baby crying.

11. David & Justin working out to P90x.

12. McKay's very interesting sunburn (let's just say he used sunscreen, but missed random spots).

13. Our sweet compact/mini van/hatchback rental car (I was hoping for a PT cruiser, darn).

14. Dragon baby crying.

Our broken lives

It all began last week when our dryer began to make some highly suspicious noises. I finally declared the beast "broken" when it sounded as though I had placed a small rock garden inside and turned on the dryer cycle.  I was more than a bit perturbed at this, as we have a stackable unit which inevitably leads to the purchase of a new washer and dryer (though the washer is perfectly functional).

The following evening, as we were leaving for a boating escapade, Mak dropped by his soda machine for a refreshing can of DP (did I mention the sodas only cost a nickel?) He slammed the car door upon entering and flung the can at me; warm. Ah, and so the story goes--another broken item.

Though frustrated we were, it was certain a summer evening spent on the glassy waters of glendale would help us forget our woes. A perfect launch and the boat sailed across the muddy water, I smiled (Glendale always creates a sort-of surreal sense of happiness). I turned the key, ready for the happy sputter of the boat. Click. Smile fades. After thirty minutes of tinkering and many failed attempts to jump start the boat we load up and head home. Broken item #3. Feeling more than a bit defeated at this point.

And the streak continues, more broken items:

Mckay's wakeboard binding (this was after he miraculously repaired the boat)

All three of Mckay's crisp tacos from Taco Maker

McKay's bike tire

My pink bling chi 

Check back tomorrow for an updated report....

Thankfully I have been blessed by a handy husband who repaired the boat, soda machine and dryer. No hope for the tacos though.

Back in my days as a single dame I used to use the saying "when it rains, it pours," in reference to boys. Things sure have changed...and boy am I glad.