Arkansas Trip, Etc.

So two weeks ago was our trip to Arkansas! It's the second time we've been back there since we've been married (not including the wedding reception we had there). Jon went to help his Dad build a Pole Barn for a friend. Jon's main motivation for this trip was a gun, which he is happy to have now. So more than half the money he made went to pay for the gun that his Father, apparently, gave him a good deal on.

Our "fun" adventure started on Sunday, shortly after Sacrament meeting. We left Provo around 3:15 PM MDT. Seriously, I wish airplane tickets weren't so expensive because it would be sooo much nicer to fly rather than drive to AR. Gas was only $120 there, so that would be the same, if not less, than a plane ticket for one person one way. After spending 24 hours in the car (and two hours of sleep on the side of the road near War Axe, Nebraska.. sounds kind of creepy, huh?), we finally arrived at Jon's parent's home Monday, around 4:00 PM CDT. Jon quickly brought in our things, and then got ready to meet his Dad at the work site to get a little work in that day. I, on the other hand, needed a shower. Then Emily came to pick me up, so we could hang out for a bit. And so that was pretty much the rest of our week in Arkansas. Jon went to work with his Dad, doing around 12-14 hour days, while I went out to eat, saw Harry Potter (again!), went to the lake, watched chick flicks, etc. with Emily (and, occasionally, Sarah also).

Luckily, on Friday night, Jon and I were able to have a fun evening with both Emily and her husband, Chris. We went to eat, played a round of miniature golf, and then had some ice cream! It was fun, but I wish Jon had been home more often so that we could have all hung out like that some more! I know Chris would have enjoyed having another guy friend around more often to go do manly things with (shooting, fishing, etc.).

Jon's mother, sister, and nephew were all gone this week to attend his brother's boot camp graduation in South Carolina. So Jon was definitely disappointed that he didn't get a lot of time to see them and, most especially, his nephew. They did arrive early Saturday morning, so we got a little time to see them before we took off the next day. We went to church with his family, then we got all our things together and took off on the "fun" drive back home.

There is a section of highway in between Jon's town of Mountain Home, AR and Springfield, MO, where there are these "Share the Road" signs. I've only seen maybe one or two of the Amish in their buggies on the side of the highway in MO before (and that was a while ago). So I was hoping to see some on our way out to AR and back home. Well, we didn't see any on our drive out to AR, and I thought for sure that on our way back, since it was Sunday, we wouldn't see any again! Well, I was certainly wrong! It was around 5:00 PM in MO when we went through this small town, and there were Amish buggies everywhere! Okay, not literally everywhere, but you know what I mean. They were on both sides of the highway. Some were in the middle of the highway trying to cross or turn. It was pretty crazy! I love it! Here's a picture I found via google (I only got one decent picture at the bottom of this post):

Anyways, so that was my exciting part of the trip home. I really enjoyed it, and I kind of want to learn more about the Amish and be their friend. I didn't really take any pictures of people (besides the Amish). I'm always bad at that. So here's what I took when I got bored one day outside the in-laws' house:

Sadie was the only one that wanted her picture taken. I felt bad for them eventually because they never got played with much that week (I don't like dogs). So I gave them a little love and then got grossed out by all the dog slobber on my hands. Yuck!

One of the many vehicles in the yard. I think they have somewhere around 7 or 8. Haha.

A little blurry.

Front of the house.

The driveway and "shop."

The cute little Amish families on the side of the highway in Missouri.

In all, it was a fun trip, but I think we are both done with the whole driving there and back thing. We'll just have to save up $400-$600 next time we want to go out there so that we can fly.

Provo Tax Day Tea Party

So Jon and I went to the Tea Party here in Provo on tax day. It was interesting. There were definitely a lot more people there than we both expected and a lot of supporters driving by. It was just kind of funny the things people would yell out. I liked a few of the signs. Jon's favorite one was the one that says Obama is a "donkey." It was fun, and now Jon and I can say we've been to a "protest." Here's a few pictures (sorry, they are not the greatest.):









My family is coming into town next week! Woohoo! They're coming to bring Rog to the MTC (Wednesday). They're going to be here all week long. It should be some good times. Jon's birthday is also next week along with my older brother's. I'm not sure what I'll do for Jon's day though. I guess just make him some good dinner and cake.

We've finally purchased some food for food storage! Half of the shelf in the second bedroom closet is full with cans and boxes of food. It's not nearly enough, but it's a good start. I feel so much better now. We need to work on our 72-hour kit next...

Jon is still waiting on that promotion (the other guy hasn't quit yet!). We're hoping it'll happen within the next month though. Oh and they still haven't announced who the Employee of the Quarter was yet. They cancelled the meeting where they would have announced it and have yet to reschedule it.

I'm waiting for a call from the Head Start Preschool for an interview. They should be calling sometime next week. I also applied to be a Child Care Attendant at the Orem Fitness Center in the evenings. That looks pretty easy. So, hopefully, something will come through!

In other news, I am SO excited for the new Harry Potter movie! It looks SOOOOO GOOD! I can't wait to see it! Originally, Emily and I had planned to see the midnight show together. However, she has decided to move to Arkansas (well, it's not definite yet), which would make tickets more expensive. Also, she's pregnant now, and I want to see her bay sooner than 4 months after it's born. So I'm planning on making a little trip out to visit in September instead of July now. Hopefully, it'll all work out. I can't wait!

P.S. It's going to be almost 80 degrees next week!!! SO grateful that there won't be another 8 inches of snow like this last week!