Thanksgiving in Texas

We were able to go to Jared's house in Texas for Thanksgiving. It was great! The weather was a lot warmer than here. I have to say that's the first time I've been hot while putting up Christmas decorations. His family was so nice to us and we had fun eating great food, playing games, and watching movies together. Somehow the only picture we got was of us at some shops.
Something fun Jared and I did for the month of November was put up this dorky turkey and write things each day that we were thankful for. We also hung up quotes around the house to remind us to be grateful. I know that there are so many blessings that come through being thankful.

Photoshop

So I just started to learn how to do photoshop. It's been a lot of fun to try and make scrapbook pages without all the mess and crooked edges. It's also been really time consuming, but I really enjoy it. I was really excited when I got the e-mail about a FREE snapfish book, but I'm an IDIOT and I thought the deadline was yesterday, but when I went to purchase it online I was really sad to realize the deadline was Saturday. Oh well right. It's given me something fun to do for awhile.

Our First Obama Sighting!

On Saturday we both got up close and personal with the
President Elect, Mr. Obama. I was working out when secret service men started roaming around, so I knew he'd be coming. I didn't know I'd still be on the bike an hour and a half later waiting for the man. Sure enough he did come walking in. He walked right in front of my machine, got on a treadmill and walked while he read the paper. A little strange to have the President Elect working out in the same small room with you. How do you not, at least a little bit?
Then Jared was leaving the apartment and when his elevator opened the secret service told him to wait there. Unexpectedly Mr. Obama was right there! He turned and looked Jared in the face. Jared nodded, and Obama nodded back.
It feels like a movie when you walk through the halls of your building and there are secret service people roaming everywhere in their black coats.

Sunday Ice Cream!

I love Sundays! It has been so fun to be with Jared for all three hours of church. We love teaching the five year olds! Church was really funny yesterday because it was the Primary Program. The kids have so much personality and energy! I love it. They are seriously hilarious.I couldn't help but but get the giggles on stage. Between children screaming the songs in my ears, pushing each other to be in the front, and spontaneous outbursts whenever it got quiet, I just couldn't help but laugh. Our kids definitely weren't the most well behaved kids, but by the third hour of church what five year old wants to sit still and be quiet? I'm almost convinced it is impossible for some children. :)
I also love Sundays because it means homemade ice cream! Since we've been in Chicago we've made ice cream every Sunday. It's been a lot of fun to try to new things! I love that Jared loves this tradition. Without fail, he insists we make it on Sunday, even if we just had dessert at a friend's house, had a big dinner, or it's 11'oclock at night. If I suggest making it a different night he responds with, "What's today? What day do we make ice cream? I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that." Secretly when I was in Iowa he even tried to make it without me. I think he realized he does need me.
The picture is of this weeks vanilla bean ice cream and Grandma's chocolate sauce! It was really good! It called for a real vanila bean which we thought was fancy. My college roommates who saw me eat nothing but, cereal, quesadillas, pasta roni, and gushers would be shocked to know I actually have been cooking.

Halloween at Heather's

This last weekend I went to Heather's house! It was so much fun to spend time with her and her cute girls.I love them so much! Hallie was so cute trick-or-treating. She was all for it! Peyton is such a cute baby! She's so happy and cuddly! It was fun to see Hallie be such a great big sister. She's always kissing her and saying, "Pey Pey. Hi sweetheart. Hi." She also carries her baby around all day mimicking Heather by changing her diaper, wrapping her up in a blanket, feeding her etc. I'm so grateful that Heather and Aaron would let me come and stay! It was great, especially since Jared was in Indiana.

I love Jared!

I love Jared! He has been so good to me. I'm so lucky to be married to my best friend. Being here alone in Chicago has helped us grow really close. He has been so patient with me and my weaknesses. Really he is the best! He makes me want to be a better person. I appreciate how great he is at balancing me and school. He never makes me feel like I come last. He is always making me laugh and he is what makes my life wonderful. I love him! The other day I came home from work and there were flowers on the table and the dishes were done! What a sweetheart. We weren't even fighting. It was just to be nice and thoughtful. He's a sweetheart! I am the luckiest.

Lunch at the Law School

On Monday Tracy and Brittney were brave enough to venture out in the car to run some errands with me. I got a new phone! Then we met up with Jared and ate lunch outside by the law school. It was a fun weekend. The weather couldn't have been better!It was nice to have family come and visit, and Tracy we appreciate all that you did for us while you were here! It'll be fun when Tracy and Ashley come and visit in March. Oh and just a note: I'll love when my family comes out! :) I miss you all!!!

The Boat Tour

We went on the Boat Tour and it was wonderful. I love the boat tour and I really don't think I could ever get sick of it! This city has so many interesting buildings and people. It's great! We're so lucky to live in such a pretty place with so many fun things to do! It was fun to spend time together with Brittney and Tracy.

Millennium Park & The Bean

One of the great things about Chicago is that there are LoTs of parks and lots of art everywhere! I love it! Millennium Park is really cool and I love the Bean. It's very entertaining. Who had the idea to make a bean out of metal and put it in a park? and who funded it?

The Field Museum

We went to the Field Museum. The building itself is gorgeous! It's huge and the details are incredible. Inside there was lots to look at. There was a T-Rex skeleton that was really big. A Native American exhibit that had the title "A history of change not progression." Interesting. That was too long of an exhibit and it was like they trapped you in a maze. We saw a lot of stuffed animals. There was a human skeleton next to an ape's skeleton. I have a question about evolution how come we don't see half ape/ half human's walking around? The best exhibit was the underground exhibit. They shrunk us down and we walked around looking at bugs and dirt. But the best thing about the museum was that it was FREE because you can get free passes at the library!

The Train

We rode the Metra train! Something I didn't know about Jared was that he really loves trains. He's like a little boy wide eyed and grinning from the second we leave the apartment until we reach our destination. It was fun the first time... and the second time... and I'm sure it'll be just as fun the third. time

Tracy and Brittney Come to Visit!

Last Weekend Tracy and Brittney came to visit. They were great company. We did a lot of fun things! We went to Wicked! I love that play. Apparently Jared really liked it too. He was yelling and throwing his fist in the air after each song. At intermission the lady behind us asked Tracy if he knew someone in the cast and if that's why he was so excited. Pretty sure he didn't know anyone.

oops.

"Jared the car got towed. I'm SO sorry!!!"
"It's ok. Do you have a ride home."
"Yeah, Barbie's husband will come get us."
Phone Dies.

So after enrichment I go out to drive Barbie home and I don't see my car where I parked it, but I do see signs there that say, "No Parking. Tow Zone." Barbie asked if I was sure I parked there. I was sure. I couldn't figure out why I parked there when it clearly was a tow zone, but I accepted that I was mindless.
I called Jared and told him, and he was nice about it. Then my phone died so I couldn't talk to him anymore. Barbie's husband was going to come get us, when suddenly I look across the street and realize the parking lot across from where I parked has suddenly turned into houses.
OK I am the biggest idiot! I start running down the street and when I turn the corner I see our car! It's incredible how much alike the sides of church can look, right?
Barbie went with me to get gas and I found Jared's number in my planner. I'm not sure which call was worse, me practically in tears telling him the car got towed, or telling him I'm an idiot and I was driving the car home.
It was a funny night. I couldn't stop laughing. Good thing I have a really patient husband.

Previously that night: I was late picking up Barbie, because I didn't consider the 15 minutes it takes to get out of the building and to the car. I then got lost driving when the street I was supposed to turn on never appeared. I was lost with the gas light on, in the dark, and my phone kept dying. Once I figured out which way I wanted to go I couldn't turn around for 7 blocks because of parks and one way streets. Finally I did make it to enrichment 30 minutes late- missed the lesson, but I was there in time for dinner.

Can I Help You?

As I was walking to our car from work yesterday I saw a woman with her flashers on and she was out of her car holding her baby. Clearly she needed help. Funny thing, I soon found myself in her driver's seat parking her car for her. Out of all the people that live in this city, it was ME, who happened upon someone in need of parking assistance. That's a little backwards.

Chelsey Finally Goes to Work... For a Week :)

So this temp. agency couldn't have placed me in a better location for my first assignment. I truly am so blessed and I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of me. My work is next door! I can literally see the building out of my window. I am working in a apartment complex, answering phones and taking messages basically. The people have been very nice and welcoming. It's only for a week, but it's been great.

PRIMARY!!!

We are so excited for our new church calling! We will be teaching the 5 year olds. It'll be lots of fun to work together and to focus on the simple truths of the gospel as we teach these sweet little kids. Our first week is this coming Sunday, maybe after awhile I won't be thinking sweet. The ward has been really nice and welcoming. I think we are going to really like it here. We're excited to get to know more people.

Living the Dream

I like to rollerblade. I know it's a little old-school, but it's really fun and a pretty good work out. Jared thinks it's pretty questionable, and it's not really something he's proud of, but he'll still come with me! What a nice husband. We live in the ideal location for rollerblading! There is a bridge that crosses Lake Shore Drive right by our apartment and the Lake Trail is right there. We've already been a couple of times and it's been a lot of fun. It's gorgeous! There are some beaches and boat harbors really close by, and the entire time there is a wonderful view of the lake and downtown. Jared claims his brakes don't work, but the truth is he doesn't even attempt to use them. Instead he clings to the railing like he's five years old. Last time we went some adults that were passing by stopped, stared, and laughed at him. Poor thing. That must have been a little humbling. :) I love him to death and he gives me the biggest laugh as I see him struggle down the hill every time there is a slope. I feel so blessed to have such a fun Husband!

Behind the Wheel

Jared's really good at driving here! He doesn't scare me most of the time. But when I'm behind the wheel I'd have to say it's a little scary. I'm getting better, but to be in a place that is so unfamiliar, with so much traffic, and different highways I can feel a little overwhelmed. It's just a little different than driving around Orem. I'm proud of myself though. I've gone to IKEA, the grocery store, and to get the car window fixed all by myself. When I went to IKEA Barbie brought her GPS and that was really nice. It's definitely a handy little gadget we did accidently get on the wrong freeway and it couldn't figure out where we were because we were on highways that were over other freeways so it just kept saying, recalculating, recalculating, recalculating... we knew that wasn't a good thing, but we did make it home.
Jared and I have always sort of laughed when people say "how do I get back?" It's always the same way you came. No. Wrong. Not here. I got so lost when I was coming home from the grocery store. The trouble with that mentality is these wretched one way streets. If the street you came is a one way it makes it a little tricky. I have never felt as lost as I felt then. I didn't know which way the lake was, which way was north. I knew nothing, except that if I went too far south my life would pretty much be in danger. Luckily I found my way home. It was a miracle.

Our Big Day Downtown

Before Jared started Law School we spent the day downtown. I met with a temporary hiring agency and looked at a school. The school was a bust, but the hiring agency seems to be a good thing. We also ate some barbeque by the river, went on a river boat tour, and ate at the cheesecake factory. I love this city! The architecture is phenomenal. I could go on that tour over and over and never tire of it. Before I ever met Jared, when I came to Chicago with my mom we went on the boat tour, and I told her that someday my dream would be to go on the boat tour with my husband. Turns out I got to do that sooner than expected! I appreciate the gift card mom. Thanks.

21. Married. Living in Chicago.

I turned 21 on Sept. 17! Jared made the day really special for me! When I woke up I found a letter in the kitchen he had written. That was the best part of my day. For breakfast we made star shaped pancakes. I was really excited about that! That night we also went to The Blue Man Group. I've been wanting to go to that with Jared forever! They even had Jared go up on stage for part of it. He was funny as he worked over the camera. I'm not sure I why I love Blue Man but I do. They intrigue me. I'm actually terrified of them. They know it too. They stuck their head right between mine and Jared's faces, and I buried myself into Jared. I was brave enough to ask for a picture though. :) It was a great birthday. I'm so thankful for Jared and how good he is to me. We had a lot of fun together.

Our New Home!

Since we came with basically nothing, we had a lot of work to do to get a functioning apartment. Our first trip to Wal-Mart was a bit of a nightmare. In fact as we were leaving Jared kept telling me to buy a plane ticket home. The aisles were so crowded you could hardly fit through them, their grocery selection consisted of about 3 aisles, they were out of milk, and I think the biggest factor was that we were scared.
Then of course we made a trip to IKEA! 1 chocolate bar, a lunch, and 6 hours later we checked out with our final purchases. At one point I think I was certain we'd never decide on a couch, but we did and I love it! IKEA is great, prices are good, products are nice, but there is a little fine print: Work. Putting it together at home is expected, but I was surprised when they wouldn't even help get a mattress down or carry it to the front. It was fun spending the day putting together the furniture. We both became pretty handy with our tool kit. We also painted some furniture that someone in the ward gave to us. Jared mostly painted it and it turned out really fun with the green and black! I love our new home! It's a miracle it all came together. Making all these decisions without a big picture in mind was a little tricky.
We're so thankful for all the wedding gifts that helped out as we set up our new home. We're so lucky to have such great family and friends! More pics to come. :)

Road Trip!

Jared and I headed out to Chicago with nothing but our car packed to the brim. We had to laugh because we didn't even get out of the cul-de-sac before something came flying from above smacking me in the head. (& Jared was wondering why I was a little frustrated when he started taking everything out of boxes piece by piece just shoving them where they'd fit. :) ) It all worked out though, and I'm glad we didn't get a trailer. We stopped at a truck stop for lunch and Jared had to try the "self-heating" meal. I thought the idea was humorous, but I didn't want to risk lunch. So on the road I have this box on my lap that has magically started to boil water and nasty smells with steam are oozing from it. We were both a little nervous, but it worked, and it wasn't even that bad. Jared drove the entire way! I guess most people might if their other option was for me to drive. Heather was nice enough to let us stay at her house in Iowa. We got there at about 2:30 in the morning and Heather was awake for us! I have the nicest sisters.

Welcome to Hyde Park

6 days after getting here we were welcomed to the neighborhood by some local crime. "Uh, Jared I think someone broke into our car." "What makes you think that?" "The window is smashed out." Lovely. We both sort of just nervously laughed in disbelief, not really knowing what you do when someone breaks into your car. We called the police. They put us on hold because all of the officers were currently busy. We didn't think they got more than some quarters, but they actually got Jared's iPod. Dangit. Like Jared says, "You can't just take something." Here if they even suspect that you have something they want they'll smash out your window. The fact that it rained for 3 days straight while our window was missing didn't help. It's sort of a huge inconvenience, but we can learn from it. Maybe it's good that it happened sooner, rather than later, so that we'll be careful and aware of our surroundings from the beginning. We've come up with some safety measures of our own. :)