Living Hardcore

Greetings from outerspace. Also known as, Logan. The shock of small town life is slowly wearing off, and I may just be able to enjoy myself here a little bit. But before life got too difficult, I gave myself permission to abandon my husband for a week and vacation in paradise. Also known as Southern California. The above picture is Knotts Berry Farm. Who knew their theme was Peanuts? I insisted that we all get pictures with Snoopy, much to my mothers dismay. So there is the whole gang, with me being the bright red lobster on the left. I am determined to be the only person in Logan with a REAL tan in October. Mission: Accomplished. Well, at least in a week or so when all the peeling dies down.
Then there was the glorious beach. This is out of order a bit, the beach was the day I roasted myself. Notice the lack of sunscreen, and the happy face. Two nececities of a day at the beach.


In fact, this is totally out of order. This was the first day. Please excuse my dorky facial expression. I had a lot on my mind. Think evil forces here.

Well, even after all this fun, it was nice to get back to Christian. A week is really a long time to be apart, esp when you have been married for less than a year. Or maybe I can no longer handle life on my own. Either way, it's back to the daily grind of sleep, work, and Christian.

Your not hardcore, unless you live hardcore

Hello! This is Christian, writing a much anticipated blog post I'm sure. Usually you only get to read posts from my partner, the lovely Lisa. Her posts are very fun and mesmerizing to read. She approached me recently, with a look on her face that said,"I mean business buster!" She proceeded to inform me that our fans will not get to hear from her again until I post something exciting of my own. Which we all know is very hard to do since Lisa, the lovely, has raised the bar for others, like myself, to create something as mind grabbing as her posts. So in a desperate plea to get Lisa, the lovely, to come back and fill us with her splendor of words, I'm writing this post to the best of my ability.

Instead of writing something thought provoking, I thought I would update everyone on the happenings of my life. Hopefully you won't stop reading here. As you know, Lisa and I are living in Grand Central, or my Grandma's Niederhausers house. Its amazing how many people enter this house everyday. Everyone wants to be around my Grandma! I don't blame them or anything, I was thrilled to death when she invited us to stay with her. People come by to chat with her, to eat her orange rolls, to buy one of her latest fabric creations, and people even come by just because they want to say they have been in her house! I apparently live at the hippest place in town.

But it has really been super fun living with Grandma N. Lisa and I both enjoy doing things with her. So far me and Grandma N are tied for 1st in our routine Sunday night games. Lisa says she is not bitter about not winning yet, but I know her better than that. From Garage sales to fixing shed doors, we have done quite a bit with Grandma N during the past few weeks.

Some good news is that Lisa finally got a job! We are both very excited about that. She interviewed for the job about two weeks ago and felt really good about it. So far she has been enjoying it and is doing really well.

As for myself, I'm working at the coolest bike shop in town! The highlight so far has been washing the windows out front. I'm sure one of these days I will get to put together some really cool bikes. Until then, I will just keep on riding my bike to work and doing whatever I'm asked to do. When I'm not working, I'm usually seen cruising around campus on my Grandpa's old GT Cruiser. Its such a natural high to be here in Logan with Lisa, going to school at a old small town college, and riding my bike everywhere I go. And not only that, but I really am enjoying school up here. I'm so motivated to study and work hard. I get excited every morning as I cruise through campus and see the hundreds of minds walking and riding their bikes to class. Its like you can feel intelligence and knowledge floating in the air. Its one of the most amazing feelings to me. I hope it never dies off.

So this is life as I know it: Living LARGE, Loving Lisa, and Learning Lots.

FYI

Well, here I sit, in Provo, on the eve before the eve of my departure. I have been babysitting my most wonderful nephew, who, by the way, is the most perfect thing on the face of this earth. Seriously.
I have been "single" again this past week, (meaning Christian has been in Logan, and I am currently flying solo) and I have realized a bit about myself. I stress. I worry. I let little things get to me. I feel like this past few days has been one chaotic event, extending over 62 hours. I need to clean our apartment, get my hair cut, shower, return things at Target, go to work, shower, drop off things to a friends house, get Christian his wallet, and SHOWER. To name a few. As I was running errands for work, Christian happened to call me. I was nicely exclaiming things that needed to be done, and how over whelmed I was; he was just nicely listening, and just saying, "I love you." And I thought of something. He keeps me balanced. He keeps me leveled. And I do the same for him. He registers for classes now. He shows up to places on time (mostly). He calls when he is going to be late. I stop and admire sunflowers, even when I need to be doing other things. I am more patient with people.
There is my sappy "I miss my husband, and can't wait to be with him again" post.

i LOVE my family.

The past few days have been a little rough going, and I just need to give a little shout-out to my family of lifesavers. Any situation that arises, I know I have a team of supporters there to rally around me and make me feel like a million bucks. Ever since I can remember, all I had to do was say the word, and I have a flood of phone calls and emails and voice mails and cards helping me get through any tough time, or to tell me that I had done a great job. I remember a day that I had had a disagreement with a boyfriend, and I was telling my mom about it. Not five minutes later, my brother had called me and invited me to have a bbq with him and Hannah, and they just spent the next 5 hours telling me how wonderful I am. I am terrified that now I will be moving even further from them, and that those nights will become less frequent, and more far between.
They really are the best. I can only hope that I can be that kind of friend and support to them.
Christian is so lucky to have married into the most wonderful family on this side of the moon. I may be a little biased, though.



And it wouldn't be complete without a tribute to my "new" family, who has welcomed me in with open arms. I have become such great friends with the girls, and have such a great time with them. How many could be boring fridays have been spent at the dollar theaters, giggling the afternoon away at the latest and greatest new chick flick? And Ethan, of course, has been my hero. He is the greatest brother in law ever. And, I like to think, my friend too. I have learned so much since joining th family, from What Not to Wear to where to put the silverware! Its been a wild ride, but we will miss you guys so much!

Movin' on Up!

Ever have those moments where you realize how much your life is changing and yet feel totally unprepared for it? Yeah? Me too. Like right now. Christian has been accepted to Utah State University, which is SO great! I am so proud of him. Want to know where it is located? Logan. 100 miles NORTH of where we are now. Negative 659,354 degrees in the winter. Seriously. There is no Target in the general area. General area being within like 50 miles. I have quit my job (which is really a good thing) and am actively seeking a new one up there. Big change. I have had this job for about 2 years, and have grown accustomed to the day to day ins and outs of a slow, small business office. I interviewed for a position yesterday that I feel is WAY out of my comfort zone, and to be honest, don't feel real great about. But hey, girl's gotta work. My wonderful and talented hubby has landed the ideal job for himself at a bike shop in Logan, real close to the school. Doing what he loves, building bikes. We are trying to sell a car, a bike, a couch, our washer/dryer, etc. I just feel so OVERWHELMED. which, to be honest, isn't real great for me. I have been going to physical therapy for the past month or so to help my back, but that has taken a "back" seat to the stresses of life. So I as I sit here, typing away on the trusty ol' work computer, I am hopped up on Ibuprofen and dreading my visit to pt today to have her drill me on my lack on dedication. I know, I know. Really.
Tonight, I am hoping for a little R and R with my husband, a chance to unwind and remember why life is changing and how great it will be to go through it all with the man that I love now, and forever.
P.S. I can't wait to visit California. Really. I need it.

Mamma Mia!

I'm a day late, but I am within the week, so I think I'm still okay.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I (we) love you sooo much and are so grateful for all you do. I hope you get to celebrate sometime with Dad this weekend, and that you guys have lots of fun. You deserve it!

P.S. I would have included a picture, but Christian has the wedding cd, so I don't have any here at work.

P.P.S. When are you coming out to visit again?! I miss you already.

Forgetful

PPS.
Another great surprise? The set of scriptures My Wonderful Husband gifted me with. With My name engraved on them. I am now officially Lisa Niederhauser in heaven.