Caribbean Cruisin'

Well ahoy there!

Steven and I just returned from the most amazing cruise of all time.

Unfortunately i think it makes coming back to the real world that much harder.

We took the Disney Wonder out of Galveston, Texas...and it didn't take long to realize that we weren't on Carnival anymore.. The Disney crew basically waited on our hand and foot from the second we boarded. No complaints there!

Our first night we ate a bunch of traditional french food... which had escargot as an option for an appetizer. Now, I'm not a picky eater. I'll pretty much try anything. But snails?? Ugh.

Our Indian server talked us into trying them, and they ended up not being too bad!

Their food over all was wayyy too delicious. We ate way too much lamb the first night and ended up never fully recovering. Cruise lesson number 1: PACE YOURSELF.

 People keep asking how it was being on a Disney cruise without any kids. And truthfully, it was amazing! They have plenty of adult only areas and pool that the kids never really were an issue. Except during the shows and they were chompin' on candy and kicking the back of your seat... but that's pretty much unavoidable on any cruise.

  One of the nights were a formal one, and the fun thing is that everyone on Disney really gets into it! And yay I was able to wear one of my favorite dresses again! Bonus.

 We did have a little mini disaster unfortunately.... 

Steven ended up catching a really nasty stomach flu the third day out, and ended up being quarantined in our cabin by the doctor for 24 hours... which meant no Jamaica. 

Majoooor bummer.

So cruise lesson number 2: don't go to the doctor unless you wish to be quarantined. Or are dying. Sigh. 

 So i ended up traveling Jamaica alone. Not near as much fun. We had already booked and paid for our non-refundable waterfall hike... so thats what i did while he was back on the boat. Sad face.

Jamaica was unreal. I jumped off rocks, slid down waterfalls, and swam into some underwater caves! The tour was run by a bunch of teenage jamaican boys who were... very friendly.

They kept telling me, "'is alright mrs. collins, we take care of you! no worries mon!!

Thankfully Steven was feeling much better for Grand Cayman! We took a little boat out to a sandbar in the middle of the ocean called "Stingray City." The name is pretty self explanatory. Steven loved it, pretty much thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Me? uhhhhh.

I've always had my hesitations with sea creatures. 

I don't know what it is, but they just make my skin crawl. I ignored it though, and hopped into the water with everyone else.

Then all of sudden they started swarming, and jumping out of the water at my face and just.....ahhhhhh.

I might have had a mini heart attack.

.... so i spent the rest of the excursion safely on the boat. Those suckers are FREAKY.

But for the record, i was NOT the one who hyperventilated and started crying. So there.

And don't let Stevens cute face mislead you... he had his skiddish moments as well.

Afterwards they took us out to a little reef to snorkel for a bit! 

The water was so clear and warm it was UNREAL i tell you!

Steven snorkeling...

Steven snorkeling again...

Oh and there i am! Well, my butt at least. Thanks, Steven...

Then we went back and hung out at a beach club the rest of the day. Rough life, huh?

That night everyone (except Steven) on the shipped dressed up as pirates!

And obbbbviously we had to get a picture with Captain Jack. DUH.

And then there was COZUMEL! A tiny little island off the coast of Cancun! And i have to say... I really love mexico. Especially because Steven can talk to them and get good deals. Perks, ya know?

We didn't have any excursions planned for there, so we just had someone take us to a private beach club and hung out there all day :)

We were able to go snorkeling along the beach again, and there were SO MANY FISH. And the dang things liked to swarm you...and follow you.... and ahhhhhh....

So i swam to safety. Again.

 It was basically heaven though.

Now, I'm ok with birds. Birds are cool. 

I have a hunky husband..

And that was pretty much the end of our trip! All we did on the last day at sea was watch Disney movies in bed all day because it was pretty stormy. Poor Steven. Needless to say he was pretty sick of Disney by the end... Little does he know I'm already planning our trip to Disneyland :)

a new chapter

March was one of those months that I never want to repeat or remember. I had to make choices I wasn't prepared to make, crap happened that I had zero control over, and I found myself wondering what in the heck I was even doing with my life!

But if I have learned anything in the past 22 years, it's that there is always a plan.

I guess I should have seen it coming. I complained enough to Steven about how much I hated what I was doing, how bored I was, and how frustrated I felt. Change was pretty much inevitable.

I was blessed way more then I deserved. I was able to get two new jobs working as a dental assistant, something I had been thinking about for at least a year, but too chicken to really pursue anything. The more amazing part is I was hired with zero experience... something i didn't think was possible. I got out of paying for school, and get paid to learn instead.

Like i said, wayyyy blessed.

I have already learned so much in just the couple weeks I've been working. It really is super interesting, and I love it! Bonus points that it's not just another dead end job. I'm stoked I finally got into (and found!) a career that I really love.

Steven and I also have lots of changes coming our way. Some exciting, some a little scary. But all in all, I think it's going to be a really great year for our family :)

April Conference

I can't believe conference has already come and gone!

I love listening to the messages from our Prophet and apostles. 

They have such an amazing spirit about them. They truly are men of God.

I loved the overwhelming messages of family, faith, and enduring to the end!

Did anyone else watch Elder Bednar's talk on Saturday??

He totally threw it DOWN.

Amazing.

I'll be honest, my memory is the worst. I couldn't tell you who said what where or nothin. 

BUT luckily for me, they print them all out later. 

Overall, it was a weekend spent stuffing our faces, hanging with family, and playing with the pups outdoors.

IN THE SUNSHINE!

It's never spring officially until this weekend, I think.

Except that it's suppose to snow Tuesday, so....

Utah is just ridiculous.

Hope your weekend was as lovely as ours!

Missing

This week is the worst.

my love is gone to California.

And needless to say, the puppies can only provide so much comfort.

So there has been a lot of this goin on...

...wayyy more then i care to admit.

what can i say? it helps me cope.

Steven and i haven't spent more then a day apart since we started dating.

So this six day long separation is a real nasty bugger.

Here's to hoping i survive to another three sleepless nights.

Feel free to send any spare ice cream my way, i'm gonna need it.

Valentine crap

well, we survived January. BARELY. It is literally the worst.

Luckily i was so busy at work that there wasn't much time left for sulking.

Lately, I've felt stuck in a funk. The worst kind of funk, too. 

The kind that can't be dealt or reasoned with. 

It just sits in the back of your mind causing all sorts of unnecessary worry.

And chocolate cravings.

I knew this time would come eventually. 

I'm 21. no, 22 (oh gosh i'm 22???) married,

and not doing anything particularly exciting or meaningful with my life.

I know what comes next.

Except that.... guh.

I seem to be phobic over the idea.

yes, PHOBIC.

I walk past the baby clothing and get hot flashes and sweaty palms.

Kids come in my store and all i see is boogers, poop, and a headache.

is this normal??

I thought most girls get baby fever? And i'm stuck over here with baby intolerance.

Maybe i'm just terrified of getting a whole body rash that doesn't go away for 9 months.

Or having my feet swell two sizes.

or just being a hot sweaty mess in general for 9 months plus...

because it would happen to me. it would.

Steven definitely over-spoiled me for Valentines. He's pretty good at that.
We splurged at Tucanos that night, and went to see the new Nicholas Sparks "Safe Haven."

I'll admit, it was pretty adorable.

But why Mr.Sparks, must you always stick in something at the end to make us bawl our eyes out?
WHY???

That weekend i finally got a Saturday off (praises!), and we took full advantage.

We were in need of some serious vitamin D and clean air, so we trucked down to gorgeous St. George. Steven and his friend spent some time riding their dirt bikes, and i got to hang out with my two little bebes.
It was glooorious.

We also took the puppies rock climbing with us. Flynn was a champ. Harlee was a little wimp.

I guess that's ok, seeing she is still the size of a large squirrel.

I have had several people rave about this place called "Swig's" that has "the best diet coke in the world!!!" So naturally, we had to test it out.

And oh my, was it the best. I died a happy death.

Steven was a skeptic. But he can be, because he's hot.

Only problem was coming back. TO SNOW.

Spring can't come soon enough.

Also, if you are watching Downton Abbey season three... 

please oh please don't watch the last 10 minutes of the finale.

SAVE YOURSELF.