One week late

Okay, so I promised a blog in a week. That has turned into two, but after a 5 month absence, that's not too bad, right? So, here is what has gone on in the past two weeks.
I have been working full time at Zachary Douglass. It's been good. It's definitley nice to have a job where I get to use my degree. The press release I wrote was published on a few websites and will be in three industry magazines in July. So, that's good. It's a good company with a good product to offer.
Eli's been working on his applications. They should be ready to turn in by Monday or Tuesday. That will be nice because at that point, we've done all we can do, then it will be up to the powers that be. He's been working more at Stonehenge. We've been keeping a pretty low profile lately. We had a fun barbeque at Annie's on Memorial Day. That was really nice, there was a lot of kids and even Elle May (the dog) made an appearance and ran off with Phoebe's hot dog.
Right now Eli is at work and I am at Annie's. She is using Karen's Cricut to make some vinyl letters to put on her laundry room wall. It's taking a long time, but we are getting the hang of it. Phoebe is being silly and tickling me. Later, I will pick up Eli and we'll work on his essays and personal statement tonight. Sounds like fun!
In other news, I am trying to be healthier. We have been doing green smoothies almost every morning for the past few months. I really like them. I notice the few times I haven't had them that I feel worse throughout the day. I just bought on amazon the book Beat Addiction Now. I perused it at a bookstore one time and I really want to get on a better diet, of eating more fruits and vegetables and less processed food. And I also got the Mari Winsor 20 minute workout. So, now starting every monday, wednesday, and Friday we will be doing Pilates if anyone wants to join. I'm just sick of being tired a lot. Especially now that all I do is sit at a computer all day. Phoebe is being really funny. Annie was eating some chocolate covered raisins, this is what Phoebe said in her funny Phoebe voice: "Hey! What are you eating? ... "Oooh, can I have some f those?.... Hey Mama! Give me one!" We'll end on that.

At Your Request

Okay, Cindy was right. It has been a long time. A really long time. I was even starting to notice. So, here is an update and a pledge: I will post at least once a week for the month of June. All right we'll start with the update of the big things. Now I'll feel like a lame-o because some big things have happened.
1. I turned 24 in February. Eli and I went to Tucanos and a movie. I had fun.
2. Eli graduated in April! I am so proud of him. He now has his bachelor's of Science in Neuroscience! That's a mouthful. We had a wonderful time. His family from Idaho came down for the graduation and we had a great party at home afterwards with my sisters too. He immediately stopped shaving, per my request (I really like short beards), and now he has a sweet beard. He is now finishing up his medical school applications, which are due in June, and working as a CNA. It was really cool at his graduation because his dad was able to hand him his diploma from BYU. It was a great weekend!
3. I am now finished with working at the elementary school. It was a crazy job and it had it's challenges, but I did enjoy it. Some of my favorite things that happened there were the fifth grade boys at recess who followed me around repeating everything I said (it sounds annoying but they were such funny boys), a sixth grade boy who asked if he could kiss me (I said no!), a girl in my class who reminded me so much of Eden who liked to talk to me at recess, the field trips I got to go on, getting to know a whole classroom of fourth graders, getting to sign a lot of yearbooks, and seeing some kids really improve their work because I helped them. I have learned a lot from it too. I think the school system has a lot of flaws, but basically it is full of teachers and administrators who genuinely care. I do think that if I ever have a child with special needs, I would not send them to public school because they are understaffed to deal with children who need individual attention all the time, but that's a post for another day.
4. I have a new job now that I am very very excited about. It is a new company called Zachary Douglass, zacharydouglass.com. The company, which is new, has designed and patented a photo editing software especially for funeral homes. It is an amazing technology and there are only three of us working there right now, but it is really taking off. I wrote a press release that was posted on a couple of industry websites last week and is going to be published in three trade magazines in July. I never thought something I wrote would be published at all, especially in a funeral home trade magazine, but I'm still really excited. I'm going to do more of their writing, and also the customer service and sales. I really love it. My degree is actually being used now. I thought that would never happen. I start full time this week and I think it is going to be a great job that I can keep for a long time, wherever we go, so that is a huge blessing!
5. We're still living with Eli's mom and step-mom and it is going so well. It's been such a blessing to stay here and save money for the applications to medical school, which is a very expensive process. It's been a lot of fun.
6. Eli's brother Josh graduated from high school last week. We're really proud of him. Even though I've only known Josh for a couple of years, he is really the little brother I never had. He even likes to tease and pick on me. Way to go Joshey!
I think that's about all. We're looking forward to the summer. We only have one trip planned so far, and that's a weekend trip to Disneyland with some friends in July. I'm really excited though, I've never been to Disneyland. We're also hoping to make it out to Missouri sometime this summer, and we're looking forward to seeing a lot of our family come out to Utah this summer in July. So, now that we've got the big things written about, my next posts will be more up to date and let you know more about our daily lives. I'm sorry. For a long time I did not feel like posting at all, but the time has come to start up again. So, keep reading!

NO MORE BURGERS!!!!

I have awesome news. I no longer have to work at In-N-Out! I got a new job as a teachers aide for a fourth grade class. I love it. My last day at In-N-Out was last Thursday. I don't think it's a big surprise that I did not enjoy that job very much. The people were really nice and it was such a relief to get a job after a long time unemployed, but I'm much happier working a job that I feel as if I am helping to make a difference rather than just getting people burgers. But, the smells of the place always made me sick. So, I really like the school. I'm there from 9-2:30 everyday. I help out in the classroom, do playground supervision for an hour, and then I help some students who need extra help with science. I really like it. It's only been my first week, but I think I'll really like it. So, I give thanks everyday for the new job, I've been really blessed. I feel like I can actually use my degree here, which is nice. I love the kids too. They're really funny, and they like me too, which is good. Well, I've got to go. I'm a temple worker on Thursday nights, which I love, so I have to go get dressed. Thanks everyone.

Okay I was dragging my feet

I don't know why I have such a hard time posting. It seems like a lot of nothing goes on and then all of the sudden a zillion things happen at once. Here is what has been going on lately.
In my life (Cherie) I've been starting at In-n-Out. Sometimes I really like it and other times when I'm training how to chop onions for the tenth time it's not so great, but overall it's a good job. The people I work with are really nice and the customers are happy to be there too. It's good to work in a busy place because there's always something to do. I feel like I'm finally getting a hold on things and even though I can't do everything yet, I can do somethings without supervision well. So, that's the biggest thing for me, starting a new job. It's good to finally have a job, but I kind of got used to not having a job, even though it was semi-depressing to be unemployed, it's nice to be home, but I know I'll get more used to working. I need to!
Eli has been working really hard at school. It's finally finals week, for which I am grateful because it seems like this has been the longest semester ever! I know he's going to do really well on his tests. He hasn't gotten less than an A- on a test all semester! I married such a smart man! I'll be so happy when his finals are over and we'll have a few weeks without the stress of studying and tests hanging over our head and we can watch a movie without guilt because there won't be anything to study!
For the two of us together we have been very busy. For Thanksgiving we were going to go to Mesquite with Eli's parents to visit his aunt, but the day we were going to leave we found out that my grandfather passed away in Missouri. So, instead of heading south, we headed east. We drove out caravan style with Annie and Cindy. It was a long drive, but we arrived on Thanksgiving day to a Belcher Thanksgiving where everyone was there. That hasn't happened in a long time. It was a pretty emotional trip, with Grandpa's funeral. I will miss him very much. I know everyone loves their grandparents but I think I really have the best. Grandpa was a huge part of my life and it's sad to think I won't see him again in this life. But, even though I will miss him I know that I will see him again and I can be hopeful and happy with that knowledge. These past few weeks and the Christmas season has made me even more grateful than ever for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I don't even want to think about what kind of miserable, hopeless world we would be living in if it weren't for Him. I'm sad and I miss Grandpa, but I am happy in the knowledge I have of the next life. It was also a fun trip. We got to see everyone and Eli hasn't been to too many Belcher get-togethers. We got to spend a lot of time together on the drives there and back.
The day we got back from Missouri we started packing up our apartment to move. It took two non-stop days but we did it. We are now living at Eli's parents house. They are so generous and offered us a big bedroom and a chance to save money. We're really liking living here. It's fun to be around family and their house is very nice and comfortable. I love cooking in the kitchen. Two words: double ovens! Going from a tiny oven with one rack to double ovens, each with two racks is heaven! I can make TWO trays of cookies or I can even bake my whole batch of rolls at once. It's pretty much my favorite thing! Dinners can be made more evenly with everything coming out at the same time! It's great!
So, that's about all. I feel like the semester was pretty slow going until November and then it's non-stop! We're really excited for Christmas and the new year! Merry Christmas Everyone!

Employment!

I'm so happy to finally title a post that. I have recently been informed that I am hired to work at In N' Out's new Orem restaurant. I've never been so happy for a fast food job! The company is great and takes really great care of their employees. It is such a huge relief and load off my shoulders to have a job now! Next week the orientation begins. I'm so glad to let some of the pressure off of Eli's shoulders. We're both very pleased. Now I can breathe a little easier! Thanks, InN'Out!

Updates

Alaina has informed me that she is sick of looking at my "unemployment" post. But I say, I'm still unemployed, so what else is new? Apparently there still are new things; such as pictures from the MLS soccer game we went to, a beautiful hike I went on, pictures from Eli and I carving pumpkins the other day, and....Eli's in school. Here are some pictures.

So, the hike was beautiful. I went with Eli's Dad and step-mom and their neighbor, who brought his dog Lacy. We started at South Fork, past Vivian park, and followed the trail all the way up the mountain, then over the other side through rock canyon. It was about 8 miles. The coolest part, I thought was that I've always wanted to go up to the mountain behind Rock Canyon where the horizontal lines are, people familiar with Provo, do you know what I'm talking about? Well, we walked across those terraces. It was so awesome. It was a beautiful hike, the trees were changing colors and were so lovely. It was good that we went when we did because the next Saturday the weather finally turned to fall and it snowed up the mountain right where we were. Eli had to study for his tests that week, so he did not get to go. We missed him though.

There is also, finally, a picture of the headboard that I made, and Mom and Dad kindly hung it up for me. I think it turned out turned out well. I really like it with our bedding. I made a pretty cake too. I found an angel food cake pan at DI and I really wanted one, so I made one from scratch and it was awesome. I tried making Grandma's frosting, but that just ended up in a messy corn syrup-y mess. I ended up making a different icing. The family thing Karen made for me at an enrichment and we put the scrapbook paper and different frills during the priesthood session of conference. It was fun and I really love it. Sometime when we have a house with a lot of wall space I will hang them with ribbons and put family pictures all around it. Eli and I had fun carving pumpkins for family home evening on Monday. I went with the basic jack-o-lantern, while Eli found his had a perfect face for an old man. His is called Grumpy Grampkin. He thought about making a Hitler one and call it "Mein 'kin" but he decided it was too offensive, I thought it was funny though. We aren't as good as Cindy and Kurt are at pumpkins though.

Well, that's about all. I had one interview today and another one tomorrow. Hopefully something will come of one of those. Tonight for dinner we're having chicken tetrazinni and mashed butternut squash. I think it will be good, I may make some rolls to go with it too. I finally bought a three tier oven rack today because my narrow little oven only has one rack, but now I am able to cook more than one thing at a time, and that makes me really happy.

I hope everyone is doing well. Eli's doing well in school. He got 100% on his first statistics test. He's pretty busy because he's working and going to school too. He's a hard worker! We're excited for Annie and Chad and family to move here next week, just in time for Annie's birthday. And tomorrow is Jonathan's birthday. I can't believe that he's going to be 9. I was there when he was born, and now he's such a big kid. He's a good boy too. I miss him. Happy birthday Jon!

Love ya!

Cherie

Unemployment

So, today is my last day of work here at the library. I will miss it. This has been the best college job I could have ever had. I loved working here. I learned a lot and I made a lot of friends. It's sad to go. If it weren't for the hiring freeze I could probably keep working here, but, alas, it is not to be. Oh well. I'll have to find my fortunes elsewhere. I am looking and applying at a lot of places, so if anyone hears of anything, please let me know. I feel pretty confident that I will find a job soon. Things just need to pick up. Although, I think Monday will feel pretty good. I'll get Eli off to school, and I won't have to go to work or school. That's really nice!!! Eli's excited for this coming semester. He's got a lot of hard classes, but he is really smart and I know he can handle it. I was feeling a bit nostalgic for school earlier. I do love the fall when school starts. Well, I love the first week of school, then I'm over it. The thing that cured me of my nostalgia was getting Eli's books at the bookstore. Yuck! I'm so glad I didn't have to buy some too. Anyway, that's about all. I'd appreciate prayers for me to find a job.
Oh, the other exciting thing is that Eli and I are going to a soccer World Cup qualifying game next Saturday. It's El Salvador v. USA at the Real Salt Lake stadium. It's Eli's birthday present from me, just a little late. He's been wanting to go since he heard about it, I think he's pretty excited. We got good seats too, it should be a lot of fun. Even though I'm not a big soccer (or sports) fan, I think the excitment and enthusiasm of the crowd will make it really great.
That's about all. We're going to a birthday party tonight and then I think we'll go see Julie and Julia this weekend. Maybe I should be a blogging chef. I could blog about how to cook in a tiny kitchen with no air conditioning in the summer. I guess that's a pretty small niche group, huh?
Have a good weekend everyone!