3 Years of Wedded Bliss

Happiest 3 years of my life. 

This kid makes me laugh every single day. 

I could not have chosen a better best friend.

California

We had a little girlfriend getaway during my short time off. Unfortunately, this sweet girl got the flu right in the middle of our trip. I felt so bad to see her sick as I wanted this to be a great vacation for her since it had been a while since her last vacation. Boo for the stomach flu. However, we still managed to make some great memories in our Shrek green Kia Soul, on a tandem bike ride, and a lovely afternoon on the beach. 

Next up, I'm taking you to Disneyland! And no more stomach flu!

Time Off

On July 11th, I quit my job at the University of Utah. After a year of being treated more poorly by my manager than I have ever been treated, having no compromise for difficult work conditions, and always receiving the blame/negative feedback, I decided I had enough. The tension had been building for the last 6 months, and becoming almost unbearable the last couple months. On July 1st, after an incidence that I decided was the last straw, I walked into my manager's office, told her kindly that I could not continue to be an effective employee under the current circumstances, and gave a courtesy two weeks notice. She said, "ok" and that was it. 

For the next two weeks, she didn't bother to talk to me, ask me for help training the new person, or anything else. It felt like I was dealing with a teenager throwing a tantrum. I did not meet my replacement, nor did I have the opportunity to help train her in a program my manager knew nothing about. 

On July 11th, I received an email saying that my email would be 'turned off' as of 5 PM that day and if I needed anything else that day to let her know. That's it. No goodbye. No thank you. No good luck. Nothing. 

I've never been bullied in my life, but this job was my first exposure to what it feels like to be bullied. My manager was very passive aggressive, never took responsibility for any wrongdoing, but rather placing blame on others (including myself), and held others to different standards than herself.

My co-worker quit a couple weeks prior primarily for grad school, but would not have stayed regardless of her acceptance into grad school as the working conditions were non-sustainable. 

On July 11th (my last day), I had a job interview with a new company that lasted 2 hours. They told me they would get back to me in a couple weeks with a decision. When I decided to quit, I did not know what I was going to do. But I felt strongly it was time to quit. 

I spent the last hour of my day in an exit interview with HR to share my opinions about the business practices of my manager, and upon leaving, I had a job offer from the interview I had just a couple hours earlier. 

Sometimes it's scary to take a step into the darkness, and I definitely did not listen the first time (I had the first prompting to quit a couple weeks earlier than I actually quit), but I know the Lord has a plan for us and sometimes it takes that leap of faith.

Luckily, I had a few weeks break to enjoy a little time to myself. It has been lovely, and although I am looking forward to starting my new job on Monday, I didn't realize how great I would be at being a housewife! It was lovely sitting by the pool, hiking, going on a little getaway, and so much more during my nice, short break. 

Hiking

Our goal is to go on lots of hikes this year. One down, so many more to go!

I'm all about hikes that lead to a reward such as a view or waterfall. Lake Mary did not disappoint. 

Each Life That Touches ours for Good

Once upon a time, my husband had the best friends in high school. They all grew up and married the most amazing women ever created. I don't know how to express my love for these friends - they truly have changed my life. 

Unfortunately, we lost 3 of them to a new job in Washington this summer. Spenny, Beeca, and baby Noah, it's not the same without you. We love you and miss you so much! 

Our Dominican Vacation

Last October, we won two round trip flight vouches on Jet Blue at a Real Salt Lake soccer game. Upon going to book our tropical vacation, we learned of some 'fine print' items (not printed on the vouchers mind you) that made it difficult to actually book the flights. After many phone calls, I was able to get us to the Dominican, but in a very round about way. We had to take the night flight to New York, then head to Florida, spend a night in Florida, fly from Florida to DR, spend 4 nights in DR, fly back to Florida, back to New York, and back to Salt Lake. I wouldn't recommend it. 

Either way, we had a fun time in the Dominican. Our resort was huge and we didn't love it all that much. The rooms were pretty outdated, the food was mediocre, but the beach was lovely (cause let's be honest, that's all we go for anyway). We spent most of our time lounging by the beach, eating, and drinking. We also played some mini golf and badminton. Yep, we're that kind of people. Go on vacation to do nothing. Ah, paradise.

Next time we'll go back to Mexico :)