Oops, I forgot to blog...

I started writing this blog because I started sending a weekly email to my family in an effort to keep in touch, now that I am so far away.  Well, after a few months of no one writing me back except my dad and my brother on a mission, I stopped sending the email to my family--I can be kind of annoying--and just sent it to my dad, mom, and missionary brother.  However, with no response or reciprocation, I lost my motivation to "keep in touch" and/or document this first year of marriage with my sweetheart.  Every day is wonderful and it all runs together...  So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it:  I forgot to blog/email, and not one single person noticed but me, so life goes on!  Plus, thanks to blogspot's backdating capabilities, I will appear to have posted this update on time, not two weeks late.  :)

Without further ado, here is the Castle's week in review:

Monday, Nov 21
I worked the first of a 2 day job as a middle school language arts teacher, so fun!  The kids were brand new to me, but I've been in the school a lot and many of them knew me.  After work, Justen and I cleaned the house, watched our shows, and called up family to invite them over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner (since we weren't going to be in Ohio for the holiday).

Tues, Nov 22
Had a great day subbing, and Justen and I spent the evening with mom and dad Castle, gramma and granpa Hayes, Kaylee, Douglas, and aunt Debbie.  We made breakfast for dinner (giant waffles that I put gramma in charge of, eggs, Mr. Dell's hashbrowns, and so much bacon that it took Justen forever to fry it up!  We played Apples to Apples after dinner, Douglas won, the little stinker, and we kicked everyone out by 8 so we could wrap presents to take to Missouri, pack, and get the house ready to leave.

Wed, Nov 23
I got up when Justen left for work and packed. I got the car all ready and ran errands. He got home at noon, we left at 12:30, and had a great drive. We were at my parent's house by 9:30! They were all at a movie, we were tired.

A picture of the sky as we were driving

Thurs, Nov 24

Happy Thanksgiving!! Got up and chatted with mom, looked through the ads, and got ready for family. Dinner at 2, played games at 4, and planned black Friday. Waited outside target at 7:30-8ish, then waited pursue old navy. All the rest we did online and I was home in bed by 2am.

Janis, Tysen, Elder Joseph Johnsen, and Cason buddy 

 Tysen and Grampa, post-turkey nap time

 Our first Thanksgiving, so grateful for my sweet husband

 Justen with the TurDucHen packaging=-a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey, and it was delicious

My Black Friday crew: Melanie & Aimee.  We rocked it, again, as always

Friday, Nov 25
Justen, Tom, and Dad left at 4 to go duck hunting, mom & Kayla got massages.  I went with them to legends to shop, mom and I decided to go to eat at chili's then see a movie.  Justen shot 2 ducks while at the duck blind with Dad and Tommy, but no one took a picture to commemorate his first kill, darn!  Not sure how he feels about duck murder, but my dad was so proud of him and made sure to tell everyone what a good shot he was. While mom, Melanie, Maddie and I watched the movie, the boys drove back from hunting, then when we came home we all played dominoes.

Saturday, Nov 24

Got up, packed, went to say bye to Caleb, Erica, Cason, and Tysen, love him!! Met Dad at the house, chatted for awhile, said a prayer, hugged Tommy, then Justen and I started our long drive home. We got home at 1:30am.

2 of the 3 loves of my life, Cason buddy and Tysen bear

 I mean, really, look at this sweet little brother!

 Love my Tommy boy

 I hugged my mom goodbye, then made Justen stop the car so I could run in for one more hug.  I miss my mom so much already.

Sunday, Nov 25
Slept in, rested, did a bit of laundry, and watched tv together. I made a delicious roast.

I'm thankful

November 22: I'm thankful for family gatherings where kids run rampant, guys watch football, ladies gossip in the kitchen, and everyone coos over babies. Happy Thanksgiving!

November 21: I'm so thankful for all the years I spent holidays single, and for the great honor and blessing it is to spend this one with my husband. I wouldn't appreciate the sweet blessings of today if I didn't experience the lonely trials of the past.

November 20: I'm thankful for good Samaritans whose random acts of kindness inspire me to be a better woman.

November 19: I'm thankful for the DeMill family and the best Sunday dinner we've had in a long time!!

November 18: I'm thankful for my brother currently serving his mision in the California, Santa Rosa mission. His example motivates me to be better, stronger, and more Christ-like.

November 17: I'm thankful for nearby movie theaters and cheap afternoon showings.

November 16:  I'm thankful for my nieces, Tarrah, Kirsten, Kaylee Jay, and ESPECIALLY baby Echo Bonnie, can't wait to love on the newest Johnsen baby!

November 15:  I'm thankful for visiting teaching and visiting teachers. I've had the best day visiting with some amazing women and hopefully some new friends!

November 14:  I'm thankful that my hubby is my best friend, it makes being so far away from my family bearable.

November 13:  I'm thankful for Diet Coke, whose #1 ingredient says water but I think should be changed to happiness.

November 12:  I'm thankful for Talladega Nights and Ricky Bobby quotes; there is a quote in that movie for every possible life situation and it just makes me laugh.

November 11:  I'm thankful my hubby woke up to his alarm (instead of hitting snooze like me) and got us to church on time (okay we are 3 minutes late, still good)!!!

November 10:  I'm thankful for my elliptical and treadmill, and for the sweet setup my husband put together so I'll actually use them.

November 9:  I'm thankful for my sisters-in-law, past, present, and future. It's pretty awesome to know these amazing women.

November 8:  I'm thankful for good grammar, in all aspects: parts of speech, parts of the sentence, phrases, clauses, diagramming, analyzing, all (excluding instances where my "smart" phone sabotages me) good grammar.  Inspired, in part, thanks to 10 texts from Parrott today regarding direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of the preposition. (I still got it. Booya.)

November 7:  I'm thankful that, even though my guy didn't win, this election educated many Americans about my religion and my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

November 6:  I'm thankful for the super cute sticker I get to wear all day today.

November 5:  I'm thankful for my warm and inviting home, kept clean and preserved by my husband's tireless efforts.

November 4:  I'm thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ.

November 3:  I'm thankful for loving, giving, supportive in-laws, my Ohio family.

November 2:  I'm thankful for a job that keeps me busy, in a classroom, and has no evening or weekend grading.

November 1:  I'm thankful for my nephews, Cason, Douglas, and Tysen.

I'm So Thankful

I'm so thankful this week for my blessings that have come through marriage and life in Ohio!  

On Monday, I continued as a middle school science teacher for a woman whose mother-in-law passed away suddenly the week before.  It was fun being with the same kids for 3 days.  That night we worked out, had leftovers for dinner, and watched some tv together.  It was a wonderful bonding day with my sweet hubby, especially since it is getting darker and darker outside.

On Tuesday, I subbed as a high school science teacher for the best classes ever!  It was actually just great!  I had hurt my neck, so I rested at home while Justen went to have dinner with family in London.  When he came home, I took some ibuprofen and we went to some local stores to check out their Wii U inventory.  I didn't get a job that night until 11pm!

On Wednesday  I subbed in a brand new school for me, but it had the exact same floor plan as another school I've been in, so I felt off the whole day. I was middle school science, and it was super easy UNTIL my lip started to swell up and the allergic reaction got worse and worse.  Talk about embarrassing!  When Justen got home, we worked out, had some lemonade chicken, and watched some tv while I waited for the benadryl to work.  

Thursday morning I woke up to a text message from my brother saying his wife was in labor, her water broke and everything!  I was glued to my phone for updates, even called Jake in China to ask for more details!  I felt like I was bouncing off the walls when I met my visiting teaching companion, Elizabeth, and we visited two sisters, then I rushed home to meet with my visiting teachers, Britt & Shayne.  It was a great morning of sisterhood and sharing the gospel together, I felt super uplifted.  That afternoon I got an email with an attachment, welcome to the world beautiful Echo Bonnie!  She is precious to me/us.

Justen went to see the 007 movie with his friend, Nate, and I did some baking for Friday.

Friday I slept in a little, then went to a doctor appointment that lasted over 2 hours!  They were so behind schedule, it was a lot of sitting around and waiting.  I met Justen's aunt Debbie at 1 to see the last Twilight movie, which was the same as all the previous movies except the last 10 minutes were good!  Justen and I went to his friend's, Clint & Krissi, for dinner and board games which was really fun.  We played Settlers, but it wasn't the rules Jake taught us...  Everyone has their own rules, right!  Afterwards Justen and I ran around to see if people were lining up for the Wii U release, but no one was so we came home and crashed.

On Saturday, we slept in, then went to a movie just the two of us.  Afterwards, Debbie and Justen's nieces came over after they had gone to see the last Twilight movie (again), and we visited for awhile.  I took a nap and Justen watched some football, then at 8:30 we headed to the store to wait in line for a Wii U.  We were 2nd and 3rd in line, and at 12:01 we got it!  It was a long time of standing in line, but it was our Christmas present to each other.  I'm so excited to play it!!!  We got home at 12:15 and were asleep shortly thereafter.

Sunday morning came too quickly, but we got up and made it to church!  The theme of our sacrament was gratitude, which was appropriate considering Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  We both took healthy naps afterwards, then had dinner with the DeMills, an awesome couple in our ward with 5 hilarious kids.  It was so much fun! I'm subbing a few days this week, so I had to get some laundry done and dishes washed, but as soon as I press "send" I'm hoping to snuggle up to Justen and watch some tv before bed.

Introducing...

Jake and Yang Yang had their baby girl on November 16 (China time), early in the morning.  Her name is Echo Bonnie Johnsen, and she is precious and loved!

Better Late Than Never

Sorry I didn't write my usual Sunday night blog post, I don't even have a good excuse for why I didn't! Fortunately, I know how to back-date posts, and despite writing this on 11/15, it looks like I posted right on time, heh heh heh.  Here's just a quick recap of our week last week.

Monday, 11/5

I didn't get a job for today, odd since Mondays are usually hot days for substitutes.  I slept in, ran some errands, straightened up the house, and when Justen got home we worked out and watched some tv together.  Pretty low key.

Tuesday, 11/6

We both got up super early so we could vote together and take a picture with our "I Voted" stickers.  The line was super long, and I was almost late to my sub job that day, which was a high school English position.  After work, we went to see "Wreck It Ralph" with Justen's family and afterwards they got some fast food and ate at our house.  

Wednesday, 11/7

Woke up optimistic about the election results, then saw the results and felt deflated.  Oh well, I voted so I did my duty, right?  I subbed at a different high school but again as an English teacher, yay!  It was actually a really boring day and all I did was babysit and write passes to use the restroom.  I know, I know, my job is pretty glamorous.  Right after Justen got off work, we hopped in the car and drove 45 minutes to a grocery store in a town called Circleville; it's the only store I know of that sells Mr. Dell's!  We walked in and out in 5 minutes, then made the 45 minute drive home.  I made Aunt Janis's chicken pot pie soup using Mr. Dell's Southern Style Chunks, and it was good!

Thursday, 11/8

Today I subbed as a middle school science teacher, and it was really fun!  They even asked me to sub for this same teacher the next 2 days, wahoo!  That evening we worked out together, and while we watched some of our shows, I got ready for my first paparazzi accessories party at Justen's sister's house.

Friday, 11/9

I continued subbing as a middle school science teacher, and I got to do 4 different experiments in each class!  I'm kind of amazing at osmosis and diffusion, ask me anything (on a 6th grade level).  After work I started loading up my car, and Justen helped when he got home.  We drove to his sister's house and set up for the party, then he left to hang out with his dad and his nieces and nephew.  It was a good party with a decent turn out!  I was really nervous, and after it was over I felt so relieved.  I didn't book any new parties, but I felt so successful.

Saturday, 11/10

We slept in and then went to dinner at Carrabba's for Kaylee's birthday dinner, then went bowling as a family in London at their little bowling alley.  

Sunday, 11/11

Justen was great about making me get up and go to church, it was a good fast and testimony meeting.  After church Justen took a nap while I unloaded and organized my Paparazzi, then when he woke up I was ready for my nap and he cleaned our cars.  We ate dinner and watched our shows and prepared for a new week!

Sorry again that this email is late, but better late than never!

Costumes & Candy

I hope you've all had a fabulous week full of candy and costumes!  No?  Just me?  Oh well.

Monday was a long hard day, subbing on Mondays always is.  I was lucky to have a job though, and I feel bad for being so ungrateful because now, Sunday night at 9:00 I am still unemployed for Monday.  Anyway, back to last week.  Monday after work I took a nap while Justen worked around the house.  He was super motivated and I was super tired.  When I woke up, he had made himself dinner--lemon peppered chicken, potato, and green beans--which was delicious!  We watched a few tv shows from Sunday that we were too tired to watch when we got home from Missouri.  

Tuesday after work, Justen made plans with his friend Nate to go rock climbing at this indoor facility, so I did a ton of Halloween baking for his co-workers and my students.  I made cupcakes and iced them by putting orange pumpkins on top (just like mom's homemade icing, delicious), then I made brownie bites with peppermint which were amazing, and finally I made some small chocolate chip cookies.  By the time I had everything baked, then cleaned up all my messes and went to bed before Justen got home!  He had a great time, though, and it was a great to have some alone time.  It only took us 4 1/2 months of marriage for me to want alone time and for him to go out with a friend on his own!  In another 4 months I'll be ready again, maybe.

Wednesday was Halloween, yay!  Tuesday evening, after baking and before bed, I went through my Halloween costumes and decided on a few options for Wednesday.  It was between Fat Elvis and Renaissance Woman, and both costumes were fabulous.  So I woke up super early and got ready, but at the last minute I thought, "What if no one from the school I'm subbing at doesn't dress up?  What if I'm the only teacher dressed in a costume, and I'm only a sub!!"  So I wore orange and purple and green, Halloween colors, and took candy that I had leftover from last year when I was a real teacher.  When I got to school it was early and teachers weren't there yet.  I had my costume in the car, ready to change into should the moment arise.  Good thing I listened to my gut, because not only did NONE of the teachers dress up, but none of the students did either!!  Can you imagine if I had dressed up as Fat Elvis?  The crazy sub would've been the only one in costume, and pretty sure I would've been asked to change.  So, lucked out on that one!  After work, Justen and I went to his parent's house for Halloween, or as they call it "trick or treat."  We went to see the kids in costumes, but it was cold, rainy, and the kids were out trick or treating, so it ended up being kind of lame.  We left by 7:30, and blasted the heater the whole way home.  It was a COLD evening.  When we got home I made Justen put on a costume for a picture, and then I went to bed.  It was cold and icky out, and there was nothing on TV, so the best option was sleep. 

Thursday I woke up SUPER early again to go to Walmart and get some costumes on sale, 50% off, for next year.  I got some good ones, too!  It might take some convincing to get Justen on board, but it would be worth it.  After work, I ignored my phone and focused solely on him.  We played Jeopardy on the Wii, Justen made his chicken for me, and we snuggled.  It was pretty wonderful actually. The picture reflects our silliness, I just love him.

On Friday, I finished my long-term sub job and couldn't be more relieved!  I felt super excited to start somewhere fresh and new (although as I type this it's 9:30 and still no job for tomorrow), and practically skipped out of the school!  Justen and I had dinner at his friend's house, Kevin and Erica, who just got engaged this past week.  After eating with them and another couple, we went bowling which was a blast!  It was great to hang out with new friends, and hopefully we'll see them again.  I had a great time!

Saturday, Justen and I were so glad to sleep in, except I was up by 7am and played on the computer and watched tv until I felt like I could sleep again.  Justen woke up as I was going BACK to bed, and I'm not sure what he did because I was out like a light.  He woke me up in time to get up and ready for his parents who came over at 1:30 to give us a dryer they bought at an auction.  They also brought up bookshelves that gramma and granpa Hayes got for us at a sale.  After they set up our new-to-us dryer, we went to have lunch at Red Robin (Justen's favorite) and then to see a movie, Cloud Atlas.  

I knew Sunday was Stake Conference because of the Relief Society email I get, but I didn't know what time or what building.  I sent emails to the people in the ward I knew, and a few text messages as well.  However, I didn't get responses back until late, and ultimately I didn't get the address for the stake center until a half hour before conference. So, yeah, we didn't go.  None of my ward friends did either, which isn't an excuse, but makes me feel less of a jerk.  Justen did a ton of work in our bathroom, making our house more and more perfect!  I made breakfast for dinner, waffles, eggs, and the last of my Mr. Dell's, and it was delicious!  

We are watching some tv and chilling together, which is great.  Still no job for me on Monday, but thank goodness for my hardworking hubby!