So, it's been months since I finished my graduate work here at Idaho State, and after 6 months of looking for jobs both in the area and within a 4 state region, I have determined to make the plunge and move (even without a job).  Here's my reasoning...

1. There are simply more opportunities outside of the desert region.
2. I still have friends and family there to support me and help me "network".
3. I've been working temp jobs here, and can easily work temp jobs in another state/region. 
4. Kind of in need of a change and moving 3 hours away is better than moving 11 hours away and back home to Washington.
5. I'm looking for a career and professional job where I can use the education I worked so hard to obtain! 
6 and FINALLY, through much prayer and thought.....it's where I'm supposed to be! 

I'll try and keep this posted....hopefully I'll have good news to report soon. 

So, part of the burden of working while in school and focusing on EVERYTHING school is that I missed attending collegiate sporting events in return for late night study sessions and weekend work.  I have attended concerts and activities, but usually worked while home football games were going.  Plus, our team generally loses, so it wasn't really something I saw as a priority.

However, after essentially doing my undergrad and graduate work at Idaho State, I managed to finally attend a game.  AND, we won!  Shocking.  Maybe the new coach is on to something.  It was a perfect thing to do before I move away.  Plus, it was the first game with the new turf in our ancient stadium.  All in all, a great experience....

 And enter the I.S.U. Bengal Football team....
 New Turf.
 Nose bleeds, but free tickets! 
 Oh and free t-shirts!  Jeremy, Shelly, Meghann and I in our matching outfits. 
 We left at the end of the 3rd quarter...needless to say we won!

Obviously not mine, but very exciting still....my cousin Tom and his fiance Heather tied the knot a few weeks ago in Salt Lake.  It was so great to see friends and family I haven't seen in years.

 My brother Eric's youngest 3: Trevor, Emily and Tanner
 My cousin Maizie!  She was definitely rocking the shades.
 Libby Stiles in her wedding outfit.
 My cousin Dr. Char and her daughter Maizie.
 Girl Cousins!  Emily, Sara, Me, Maizie and Charlotte
 The wedding couple, myself and my oldest brother, Eric.
 Stiles cousins and families: (back row) Brad, Eric, Trevor, Tanner, Emily, Me, Bobby, Tommy, Sara, Nathan
(front row) Maizie, Charlotte, Diane

It was so fun to see some of my cousins and their families I haven't seen in almost 2 years.  The Washington, Oregon and Idaho cousins unite in the most unlikely of places....Salt Lake City.  Thanks Tom and Heather for getting married in a location, forcing the majority of us to see one another again!  It made me realize how much I miss my family and how I long for the times back in Washington where we all grew up.

A little camping trip turned out into an interesting weekend. 
Camping in Island Park, day trips into West Yellowstone, MT, parts of Wyoming, Yellowstone and Island Park created the adventures of a quick weekend. 
 Camp.
Wildflowers at the edge of our campsite :)

 Bull moose (there were actually 2, but only one in front of the trees), outside our campground.

On our way to West Yellowstone we happened upon a Mountain Man Rendezvous. 
 Flute maker....at least this one had on pants and not just a loin cloth!
Artist's carving in a moose antler.  Very cool and sad at the same time.



Yellowstone:
 Cow elk with her tongue out! 
 Old Faithful.  Classic.
 Gibbon Falls
 Madison River
Roaring Mountain

I was shocked and completely saddened by the fact that we spent 5 hours in the park and didn't see even one bison....it was my first time seeing hardly any animals!  In May when we went we saw hundreds of bison and several other animals.  We are going when the Aspen's start to change colors in the fall, so hopefully my experience will be a little better.  All in all, not a bad weekend.  It wasn't as big a group as we'd planned, but we tried to make the best of it.  I'm so grateful I live close enough to experience this beauty several times a year!

The 24th of July means Pioneer Day festivities in SLC celebrating the LDS pioneers coming to the Salt Lake valley.  Part of a newer tradition with some friends includes trying to attend two major concerts with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square each year; Pioneer Day weekend, and the Christmas concert.  This years' was incredible, as expected.  To hear the Choir and Orchestra perform live is so amazing.  I've been fortunate enough to experience the live performances on many occasions, and they never disappoint.

Our little adventure included eating (alot), the concert, Hogle Zoo, swimming at the hotel pool and watching Harry Potter (again) at the IMAX in 3D.  So fun!

 Inside the Conference Center...waiting for the performance to start.
  A REALLY quick snapshot of the SLC Temple while trying to get out of the crowds.

HOGLE ZOO:  





      A toddler seat in each stall in the women's restrooms at the mall.  GENIUS!  Why don't they have these all over the country.  Strapping your kid down so he/she doesn't run away while you do your business....potential life saver?!

To my friends: Meghann, Dave and Jared....thanks for always planning trips that create a hundred lifelong memories!

I spent the first part of the 4th of July weekend in Provo with friends, and eventually went to Rexburg to visit my brother Eric and his family and as an added bonus, my brother Ryan and his family were up from Phoenix.  It was so fun to see some family and spend time with my siblings and my "little" nieces and nephews.
The Arizona boys were able to see their first parade,  first fireworks show and first rodeo.   Phew!
 Azz and Brent at the I.F. Green Belt
 Ryan and Levi, waiting for the fireworks!
 Diane, Eric and Tanner hanging out

Just me and the "little kids": Trevor, Emily, Myself, Azz, Brent, Tanner, Levi and Luke at the I.F. Green Belt.
                                                              LUKE!

We also had some fun play time together on the slip n' slide, at the nature park and playing a little basketball.
 Hey bro.....I thought you ordered a "large" flag!?
 Always seeing how he (Eric) measures up....

                               
 A little doggy adventure at the park
 Mr. Owl....as visible in the afternoon, just a few feet away
 Levi, Tanner, Emily and Trevor with the owl behind them

We had so much fun....I love spending time with my family.

So, the update on my life is not that exciting....which is why it has taken me so long to update the blog.  I completed my final semester of grad school....barely.  Grad school was the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life.  I have yet to complete my comprehensive oral and written exams, which are scheduled for October--that will be my last and final hurdle. 
I have yet to find a job, but I am so grateful for my family and friends who are constantly sending me links to jobs.  Something will turn up...I have faith it will, sooner or later.  My summer has been less than exciting on a normal scale.  Searching for jobs every day for hours leaves little to be desired; however, I have managed to steal away a couple of weekends with friends and family.