Archive for 2013

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11:22 AM by 1 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

Welp, we're home! We are no longer the "Alaskan Rainers." As much as I miss Juneau, I am definitely happy to be back in Utah. Since my last post, we have moved to South Jordan. We found the most perfect, little, pet friendly apartment that we just absolutely love. Shane got a job for Ritz-Carlton/Marriott {which totally rocks, free stays and discounts ya'll!} and I am a receptionist. Since moving, we haven't done much besides work, sleep and unpack. But we are SO happy. I'm usually home before Shane, which means I actually have time to cook dinner, surprise hug him when he gets home and ask him all sorts of questions about his day. I thought being back in Utah would be so lame compared to living in Alaska, but we actually really enjoy it here. I haven't even gotten a complaint from Shane, not one! {Well, unless you count; "Utah drivers are the worst!"} We get to see our family basically everyday and we live in such a great neighborhood. We are so happy to be home! Here are a few photos we got done for our Christmas card {taken by Ryan Houston Photography}.

I first saw Toby on September 14th, two weeks after I got home. I wasn't planning on getting a dog yet, but I still wanted to go see all the pets at Petsmart's big adoption event just for fun. Everyone was looking at the puppies and there was just the sweetest Lab-Pit mix all alone in the crate next to them. He looked right at me and stole my heart. The second I saw his big brown eyes and droopy lips, I knew that was my dog. I adopted him right then and there and he became part of our family. He is my fur baby, he is so smart and so goofy. Shane never had a dog growing up so it's pretty amazing to see the connection they have. Toby really does make our family. We were missing something. That's right ladies and gentlemen, I am a crazy dog mommy.

Change Of Plans

12:15 AM by 1 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

There have been a few changes in our Alaska/Utah plans. First of all, I am not returning until the 31st. Which is one week from today, wahoo! Second, Shane isn't coming with me. He is staying up here for another month or so, he's helping the hotel train a whole new staff. This gives me a grace period to find a job and an apartment down south. So if you know anything that could hook-a-sista-up, lemme know!
I have been so torn recently. I am dying to see my family again and start looking for our new home back in the great U-T, but I am dreading leaving Shane. The closer it gets to the 31st the sadder I get, but I'm also really excited. Crazy right? Like I said, torn. Anyway...tonight I have been feeling pretty sentimental about Juneau. I've been counting the days until I leave for months, but looking through a lot of our old photos made me smile. I'm going to miss Alaska, I am hoping to get out and take some more pictures of the town before I leave, because if you ask me...I have been slacking in the picture department. I'm on it!

Taken the first day we got there, it was so cold!

Shane's 21st birthday!

This was taken at 11:30 pm!

Weekend beach bonfires.

The most amazing zip-lining birthday.

Aw man, I'm going to miss this face!

365

5:45 PM by 2 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

On June 25th, Shane and I celebrated our one year anniversary. Can you believe it? This past year has been amazing and has taught me more about Shane {and especially myself} then ever before. I am so in love with Sequoyah, I have enjoyed every day we've been together. We've had hard times and happy times, and it was all worth it because I am with the love of my life and my best friend. Bring it on eternity. I love you Shane Sequoyah Rainer, happy anniversary.

Updates

10:40 PM by 1 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

Since my last (somewhat informative) post; a lot has changed, so buckle up folks. First-a-all, I just had a birthday! Wahoo! June 13th was the last chance I had to ride the bus and pay the "child's" fee. I am now considered an adult, (at age 19) according to Juneau public transit, so...there's that. I think I am going to have to make a whole post dedicated to all the special surprises my friends, family and wonderful husband gave me for my birthday.
Second, I started working at jobbie number two about four weeks ago. It's an artistic gallery and gift store in downtown Juneau. I absolutely love working there, retail is a wonderful outlet for my OCD, and I get to be around something I love, art!
I also was able to go out and warm up my rusty photography skills and take some portraits again. I am SO excited to show you guys. It was nice to go out with some friends and snap away just like old times. Man, I miss my little picture business.
In case you have been wondering, it's been unbearably scorching hot here the last few days. Considering we have about 90% humidity and there's no air conditioning to be found anywhere, you can understand my pain. I'm just kidding, it's been wonderful. The ice cream shop has been helping with their 79 cent chocolate chip cookie dough. We've played volleyball, had picnics, gone to the beach, and gone swimming. You know, all that fun outdoor stuff. Shane did get attacked by "noseeums" (small mosquitos that come in hordes) which wasn't that great, pretty itchy and sad for a few days, but he's okay now. (Devil's Club Healing Balm by Back Bay Botanicals. I swear by it, best Alaskan medicine ever.) Yesterday was the first thunderstorm Juneau had in 10 years! You should have seen the locals, I think they thought the sky was falling.
All three of our fathers received their Father's Day packages on time, which is tricky considering the postal service is pretty whack when it comes to getting things to and from Alaska. I was able to FaceTime my dad, step-dad and father-in-law. It was so nice to hear from them and be able to wish them a Happy Father's Day. I love all of you, thank you for being wonderful!
To wind up this very long post, I have been getting a lot of questions pertaining to "when we are coming home" and "when are you getting sealed." The answer to the first is, August 31st! I will for sure be flying down that day, but we are still figuring out whether Shane will be joining me, or driving down with the Wald's to help them move to St. George. And the second, we are still unsure. I have two uncles and a newly engaged father trying to plan weddings in the same three month time span as us, it's a little hectic. But don't you worry your little heads one bit, I can't wait to be with my husband for eternity, we're just being patient. Thanks for reading this weeks edition of "Aubin's the Worst Blogger Ever!" Have a wonderful day everyone. Love from Alaska.

Busy Throwback

11:14 PM by 1 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

The title says it all, we are BUSY. Hopefully on my next day off I'll be able to make a little bit of a longer post with some updates, but until then, enjoy these snapshots of Shane and I sledding a few months ago!

What's Spring?

1:58 AM by 0 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

It's been snowing here recently. I know, right? It's April 28th. I mean, come on! When the snow starts to come down real heavy, {you know like the thick, puffy, sticky snowflakes?} I go outside and shake my fist at them. I must look real silly to my neighbors, but those snowflakes need a good talking to. Sequoyah and I have been coping with this snow by trying to stay busy inside. Shane has a little bit of cabin fever and is starting to go crazy, so I'm hoping the sun will come visit. He'll sit on the couch and write songs for hours, leaving each one only half way finished before going on to the next. I'll sit in front of him on the floor, listen, paint my nails, wave them around a bit {you know how we do, right ladies?} and then I'll sit and listen some more while I peel the nail polish right back off. Life is exciting!

Ten Things I'm Loving Today

7:53 PM by 0 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

...the full hampers of laundry, because it means I have clothes to keep me warm.
...the neighbor's barking dog at five in the morning, because it means I can hear.
...the toilet that needs cleaning, the furniture that needs dusting and the dishes that need washing; because it means I have a home.
...the snores coming from the other side of the bed every night, because it means I am loved.
...the leaky faucet, because it means I have running water.
...the holes in my shoes, because it means I can walk.
...the mean and nasty people who come into the resturant, because it teaches me patience.
...the old lady tailgating me on the freeway, because it means I have a car and can drive.
...the sore throat I got from laughing too much, because it means I have friends.
...the monthly bills, because it means I have a job.
What do you love today?

In the Dumps

1:27 AM by 3 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

Well my friends, today was a bad day, and to tell ya the truth, I'm quite "down in the dumps." Everything went wrong today, and then some. I woke up late, couldn't get my hair to behave, tripped down the stairs in front of a guest {in a skirt mind you}, locked myself {and everyone else} out of the work computer, slammed my finger in the car door and to top it all off...I had the hiccups while trying to take dinner orders. Today has left me frustrated and actually, quite homesick. That's right ladies and gentlemen, Alaska is not always great. I miss home, I miss my mom, I miss the sun. Luckily I have a wonderful husband who gives me surprise hugs and makes sure to tell me that it's okay to have bad days, it's okay to fall down the stairs and it's okay to miss home. I'm counting down the days {114} until we can return to Utah and start a new chapter of our life. I love Alaska and I love being here, just not today. Today, I want Cold Stone and fry sauce. Utah, I miss you.

Shrine of St. Therese

1:10 AM by 2 Comments A ⁺ a ^-

I can't begin to tell you how beautiful this church is. Shane and I drove 'out the road' for 45 minutes until we arrived at the Shrine of St. Therese. The actual church is on a small piece of land out in the channel; it is connected to the shore by a narrow, moss lined pathway. Sequoyah and I walked around the woods and the beach, where I saw my very first whale! Some sea lions came over to wave at us and Shane gave me his jacket because it was cold and rainy. We sat silently in the church and read the hymn books together. It was nice to have some quiet, alone time in the church, in the middle of nowhere with my Hubs. On the way home, I had Shane pull over at least three times because "I could have SWORN" I saw another whale. I love those big guys.