Random Ramblings

I have spent the last 6 weeks focusing on how happy I am going to be when this nightmare of a balancing act will be over. Sometimes I really need a kick in my pants and tell me to stop complaining. I still remember my friend Kelsey telling me when I was too negative. I need that kind of influence in my life . . . daily! Beau is sweet to listen to me complain, and lately cry. I think I am tired, but I am very grateful that I only have 8 weeks left. I am grateful that I have been able to make it this far after struggling for so long. I am grateful to be graduating in the summer to after my classes are over I will be able to camp, swim, fish, and outdoor adventure in general. I am grateful that we have been able to make it this far without killing one another. I love my husband, and I do not give him enough credit for how much he helps and takes care of me when he is busy too. Soon enough all of this will be a memory, and I look forward to moving on.

This Memorial Day weekend could not have come at a more perfect time. Beau and I worked on the bathroom, and I am excited to say it is starting to finally look like one. I wasn't sure that we would ever be able to say this, but it does. I have a light, mirror, and towel racks, which make me the happiest woman in the world. I forgot what it was like to look in the mirror in the morning as you get ready. I will post pictures when we are all done.

I am thinking about getting rid of my facebook. I find that it typically just makes me mad. I think that people are forgetting to be people. We don't call or write, we update our status. We don't share with family or friends we comment. I don't know if I want to risk becoming like that. Also, I am to the point where I really only want to status update out of pure annoyance, which I resist in order to not ruin what semblance of a kind reputation I have.

I am very thankful that I just heard my husband come home and before he even walked through the door he decided to mow the lawn. No wonder I am in love with this man :)

Life goes on . . .

Spring semester has been both wonderful and tiring. Every day I count down the days until the end of the week, and then count down the weeks until graduation. The end of this week will mark my 10 week countdown. Beau is adjusting to having more general classes, and only 1 automotive compared to his typical 2 auto classes and 1 general. I am enrolled in my marketing emphasis, capstone, and internship. Needless to say, the Alcorns are very busy. We spend our days doing homework, going to class, and going to work. I feel that the balance may break me, but what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger, right?

This semester we have tried to still have fun where we can. This last weekend we went fishing. I am the only one who caught anything . . . the tree nest to me . . . hehehe! Then we had Beau's cousin BJ, his wife Ashley, and their daughter Lucy to watch a movie. I enjoyed being able to catch up with them. On Sunday my old roommates Melanie, and Rachel came over with their families on Sunday. I forgot how much fun it is to sit and talk to them. It was also nice to get to know their husbands. Sometimes I get so caught up with doing the things that have to get done that I don't take the time to spend time with my friends. I feel like I have to be a responsible adult, and can't have any fun. I need to stop being so serious!

Mothers Day was fun enough with friends to spend it with. I actually struggle with Mothers Day. I love my mother very much, and love honoring her every year, but Mothers Day is just a little emotional for me, as I long to be a mother, but I have not been blessed to hold my own child in my arms. I suppose I should work on my attitude, and find the joy in the journey of life. I am very thankful for my husband, and our cute puppy. It may not be exactly the family that I thought we would have at this point in our marriage, but it is a family that I love and who loves me. Someday I will be a mom, and for now I am grateful for all the moms in my life who have helped me become who I am today, especially my mom!

Finals Week makes me Sick!

The last few semesters have seem to end in about the same way. I get this crazy illness, and spend my breaks trying to heal. That is exactly what happened this semester. On my very last day of classes I got a fever,chills, aches, etc. and then it got worse. I went to the doctor on Friday with congestion, sore throat, ear pain, headache, etc, and she told me I just had the nasty cold that was going around. Beau had been really sick, and had been put on antibiotics, so I thought I should be too (we had the same symptoms). I left the office, and hoped I would be better soon.

On Sunday I woke up with horrible ear pain and pressure, and a red eye. Because we are on BYU-Idaho insurance, if we go anywhere but the student health center, we have to pay a $750 deductible. I decided to "tough it out" and waited until Monday morning. As I drove to the doctor I felt stupid and knew I would cry if I was told it was just a cold, as I felt horrible! Well the doctor said I have a double ear infection and pink eye. He put me on an antibiotic, and told me to rest. I have now missed 3 days of work, which those of you who know me is a not happening thing in my world. After I took the first dose of the antibiotic my right ear drum ruptured, and last night my left ear drum ruptured. I feel awesome...not! I just don't understand how I can be so sick! Aren't ear infections and pink eye for little kids?

Oh well. I will say one positive thing, at least this is happening during the break. I have a really full course load planned for next semester (17 credits - this is full for me) and I will not be able to afford getting sick like this. Hopefully I will be back on my feet soon!

Winter Semester is Over

The winter was very stressful for both of us. Beau carried a full course load and worked part-time for John Deere, and I also carried a full course load and worked part time for PolicyTech. Beau loved his automotive classes, and feels like he learned a ton! I can't say that I loved my classes, but I feel like this semester has been the most productive and educational so far.

The end of the semester is such a blessing though! We are both so tired and burnt out. This semester with our crazy schedules was a trial for sure, but we can honestly say that we couldn't have made it through without each other. Our marriage is much stonger and I can honestly say that trials can bring people closer together!

In the midst of our crazy semester, we have been working on our bathroom. We started with having to replace our vent and ceiling. Then we realized the toilet tank was cracked, and then the shower was leaking. All of this has resulted in a complete overhaul in the bathroom. Pictures to come. Although this was not what we had hoped or planned on doing, I think we are going to be very happy with the results.

I have returned to doing some of the things that bring me great happiness including cooking more. I often cook quick meals just to make it through the week, but lately I have tried to cook more substantial and "real" meals. It makes me happy, and Beau enjoys the food.

This semester has also been one of visitors. Beau's mom and dad came out in March to see our home (the last time they saw it we were in boxes and still moving), and to spend time with us. Then we met up with Cori and Kari (Beau's brother and sister-in-law) and their two kids in Twin Falls, and we did a sealing session in the Twin Falls Temple. We hadn't done one since we were married, so it was a really special experience, especially with Beau's parents. Then we went to Miracle Hot Springs in Buhl and had a lot of fun. It was a great get-away that reminded me about how much I take my husband for granted. We had so much fun being together and "out of the house." Beau's mom's parents, Yaya and Pappy, came and stayed with us for a few days to see their newest great grandchild (BJ and Ashleys amazing daughter Lucy!) and their grandchildren who are attending BYU-Idaho. We had a lot of fun with them here at the house, and I enjoyed getting to know them better! We also had a visit from Beau's cousin Annette and her four children last weekend in the middle of a snow storm. It is fun getting to know Beau's family better. They are such good people, no wonder Beau is the person that he is today!

We are grateful for family and friends who make our lives wonderful, and look forward to the coming semester. I will be graduating in July which should (do you like the word should?) make our lives a little easier in the coming months.

Winter Semester

Boy have we been busy. I have started my new job at PolicyTech, and am loving being in a positive work environment. I was accepted to Fast grad, and so I am also currently a full time student year round. Beau is enrolled in his second semester (since he returned) at BYU-Idaho. We feel like we never see each other any more between work and school. The classes I am taking require a lot of group work, and I think I see my group more than Beau :( I feel like I am losing touch with all my friends and family, but I keep reminding myself that this is short term, and life will be good again soon. Even Izzie, our dog is feeling the pressure of this winter semester. She spends every second she can on my lap, and takes full advantage of any moment that she can come and give me a kiss. I think she feels neglected which makes me sad!

Beau and I are teaching the 10 year olds in Primary, and are learning a lot about patience. Last year we taught the 9 year olds and loved them. They were so attentive and asked great questions, the 10 year olds are completely distracted, and off topic. We find ourselves spending much more time preparing lessons, which I suppose is a good thing.

I am really going to try to keep this think updated. Wish me luck!

Courtship, the 3 Proposals, and the Big Day

Beau and I were each home for the holidays. We spoke at least once a day, everyday, for several hours. We talked about everything, and missed each other terribly. In January, Beau came out to California for a few days to spend some extra time together. We went to the Sacramento Zoo, and San Francisco. I knew he was a keeper because even my dad loved him. As we walked along the peer in San Francisco, I realized for the first time that I truly loved him, and I wanted to marry him.

We didn't see each other again until March, when I drove up to Oregon to spend some time getting to know his family. I drove all night after work to get there. We had so much fun together, and I thought that he would propose that weekend. We went to Silver Falls and hiked around all the waterfalls, drove up to the Portland Temple, went to the park and walked together, and we went to the beach. Beau never proposed that weekend, and I became a little concerned that he wasn't all that excited to get married.

The following Sunday, we were talking on the phone, when Beau said it would be funny to post that we were engaged on Facebook. I didn't find this funny because it would give everyone the wrong idea. After a few more minutes of teasing, I thought I would shut him up, and asked, "Are you asking me to marry you?" The phone went silent. The thought, "Oh, Crap, please don't propose over the phone," rushed through my head. He then asked, "Joanne, Will you marry me?" I went quiet. Darn he asked me over the phone. I answered, yes.

We decided to wait a week before telling anyone. I wanted to find the right way to tell my family, and didn't want to be rushed. The next morning Beau called me, and told me that he told his mom, and didn't think he could keep our secret. I spent all day trying to find the easiest way to tell my parents. My parents were going to be excited, but I knew they would also be concerned with me still in college, and no real money. I told my parents that night at dinner, and it was official. We were engaged.

I didn't get to see Beau again until the end of May. I went back up to school in April, and Beau had started a Service Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in March. We continued to talk over the phone everyday. At the time I was working for a company named Progrexion, and my coworkers hassled me everyday because I didn't have an engagement ring. They said that we weren't official until a ring had been purchased. Beau had gotten a subsitute while he ordere my ring, and brought the fake when we saw each other in May. His family was having a reunion in Montana for Memorial Day Weekend, and I drove up and met them. When we got to the hotel, as Beau wished me goodnight, he got down on one knee and proposed "officially" for the first time. He said beautiful words, and I was the proudest owner of the prettiest fake I had ever seen.

The final Proposal came a few weeks later when Beau came to Rexburg with the real ring. He showed up a day early to surprise me, and took me to the Ricks Gardens on the Brigham Young University - Idaho campus. He once again said beautiful words, and promised his love and affection for me. He then gave me the prettiest ring I have ever seen. He did such a great job picking out the ring. We were finally, truly officially engaged!

We were married on September 29, 2007 in the Oakland California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Fall Semester 2006

Playing Clue with Joanne's Roommates, Sarah and Rachel, and their friend, Greg.

Hangin' on Game Night.

After Joanne's very first snow fight!

The morning Joanne was going home for Christmas.

More goodbye's.