Let's get a little fat(ter) and eat a lot of turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends, family, 

and fellow blog readers!

Would it really be Thanksgiving without saying a couple of things I'm grateful for?

(Side rant: I'm just glad I didn't do the blog gratitude challenge this year, and that I didn't see a lot of "Day 1: Blah blah blah" stuff on Facebook this year. We don't need to see that every single damn day, we know how grateful you are.)

I'm grateful for . . .

1. SUU: I'm grateful for the opportunity that I've had to attend an accredited college for four years and that I'm walking away with a degree and a better future. Don't get me wrong, it's been a long four years; college isn't the party that movies make it out to be kids. Money has been a struggle (#poorcollegestudent), but I've been blessed with no large financial issues and I've been able to land some awesome jobs. I fell in love with my degree, classes, professors (except for you two, Lionel & Pat), experiences, and classmates. I met the love of my life here in Cedar. I made life-long friends. I've been able to (almost) complete two internships. I'm going to be able to provide for our future family. College is good, my friends. Long, but good and so totally worth it.

2. Cheap rent: I've had some good landlords, and some really shitty bad landlords, but the people Trevor and I rent from right now are the best. Without the awesome rate Leavitt Land was able to give us for rent, I wouldn't have a two bedroom-two bathroom apartment to decorate for Christmas. In fact, we'd probably be living in a box. Or with Cameron. 

3. Cars: I love my new Chevy Sonic, and Trevor loves his Ford Focus. They're not top-line models, but they get the job done. They get us to work, to school, to see our families, out on date night, up the canyon... Cars are essential, and I don't know how our busy schedules would function without two of them.

4. Non-invasive in-laws: I really lucked out when I married Trevor because I gained great in-laws. (By in-laws, we're talking his immediate family - brothers, sister, their spouses//signficant others - not the whole shebang family.) My mother-in-law and father-in-law are awesome about staying out of our business and letting us do our own thing. They don't push or prod us; they love us for us, and support us no matter what we do. They also live 7 hours away in the most wonderful place on earth (San Diego), so that makes visiting that much more fun and meaningful because we don't see them that often. I've gained some brothers and a sister, and sometimes I don't know how I went through life with such a little family. 

5. My pig breeding, sheep herding, cow showing family: My parents taught me the meaning of hardwork, and I'll never be able to repay them for that. They're selfless, giving individuals who have always put their kids before themselves. They allowed me to explore and experience as many things as I possibly could growing up. Mom and Dad have a solid marriage of 28 years that's easy to admire and look up to. My brother Trevor is making quite the name for himself working for Lehi City, and he has found the perfect job on the weekends working with guns and pheasants. Tedo is turning into a young man; his easy going, always happy attitude is something I wish I could have. My family might be a bunch of farmers who love their animals too much to go to Disneyland for a family vacation (Dad and Big T, I'm looking at you), but I don't know where I'd be without them.

6. Birth control: Let's be honest - as much as I say we don't want babies for a long time, they're sooo cute and irresistible. Baby hunger is real. If I didn't have an actual implant in the ol' uterus, I'd probably be preggers by now. (Maybe.) (Probably not.) (I don't know. Sex is good.)

7. Old Navy credit card: Trevor laughed when he saw this on my list, but let's be real for a minute. Without Old Navy, I would be naked. Trevor would be wearing his medium size clothes from high school, and his hairy belly would hang out. Both are sights you do not want to see. Old Navy is affordable and has a wide selection of cute clothes, from casual to dressy. 

8. That hot man I call my husband: Speaking of the man with a hairy belly (which by the way I find sexy ;)), I just love him. He is compassionate, gentle and kind, has the patience of a saint, and loves with all he's got. He's my best friend in the whole world. All of the time in the world wouldn't be enough for me to be with him. Trevor is my number one fan and always pushes me to do my best. Without him, I don't know if I would have completed my hospital internship. Say what? Honestly, it was the hardest thing I've had to do; he would listen to my fears and worries, wipe away my tears, and tell me to keep going. And I did. He deals with my anxiety like a champ and puts up with my shitty uterus. He's worked hard the past year and half to fix his grades to get into SUU's education program. My husband's going to be an elementary teacher - not a doctor, not a lawyer, not a garbage man - but a teacher. He's going to teach the future generations of America, and I know he'll make a difference in those kids' lives. I know I've said it before, but Trevor's biggest goal in life is to be a dad. In this day and age, do you know many men with that goal? He spoils me and puts my needs before my own. Trevor has a contagious laugh and smile, and a mischievous sparkle in his eye. He's taught me to enjoy the silly things in life. Trevor is the only person who can make me laugh when I'm extremely pissed off or grumpy. I can't imagine my life without this guy.

9. The Walking Dead, Dancing with the Stars, movies, and other forms of entertainment: Trevor and I are movie&television buffs. We love finding new shows to watch together to critique and discuss. Our perfect date night is dinner and a movie. We enjoy going to theatrical performances and dance shows. The arts are a good thing. We enjoy partaking other peoples' talents. If the world was movie//television//entertainment free, we'd be bored to death.

10. Writing: I've always had the ability to write and it's one of my favorite hobbies. I thought about being an English or Creative Writing teacher for the longest time. I can write papers with no problems, I can create resumes and big presentations, I can interview and write press releases, and I enjoy doing all of it. Nothing makes me happier than when someone asks for my writing help. 

11. Luke Bryan and his butt: Oh Luke, Luke, Luke. How I love your music and your tight little butt. (Don't worry, my husband knows that I have a gigantic crush on Luke-y boy.) Believe it or not, Luke Bryan is a role model that young men can look up to - he's hardworking, handsome, smart, married and loyal, a loving father, an active community member, and is talented. His songs aren't all about drinking and partying like some; most of his songs have significant meaning behind them. Example: look up "Drink a Beer" on YouTube. He is so great in concert, too, which not all musicians are. I'm obsessed with his music and his face.

12. Being an American: I like guns. I like freedom of speech. I like being able to vote for someone to represent my best interests. I like being able to assemble and protest. I like being able to drive down paved streets without having to worry about bombs and destruction. I like fresh, clean running water, heat, and cool air. I love our police officers, firemen, and soldiers who protect us both home and abroad. I love Old Glory and all that she stands for. I live for Sunday Night Football. I love the technology America has here for all of us to utilize. I love the beauty of the lands around me. God bless America. 

Have a great day, everyone. Don't forget what you're grateful for, and be sure to say some thanks of your own. 

Blondes have more fun, right?

I've been trying for a couple of months to be more blonde and close to my natural color. Last night, I took the final plunge. (I'm just lucky my hair hasn't fallen out yet. . .) It was the first time in a year and a half I had someone else touch my hair. It's such a blessing to have your best friend be a hairdresser because they know you; they know what you want and they're not afraid to tell you their thoughts and opinions. But with Adam gone to California, I needed a new hairdresser. I had been dreading it, too. The last time I got my hair done was in September, and it was in dire need of some love. I've decided going to a new hairdresser is like going on a first date: 

you don't know how they're going to be (snotty or nice),

how they're going to act,

if they're not afraid to give you their personal input,

if they know how to do a proper blonde,

or

if they're going to be good enough for you.

Lucky for me, Kenzie at Fringe Salon here in Cedar City is fantastic. (She's also our neighbor - we share a back wall.) She was easy to talk to, knew exactly what she was doing, and got me in and out of the salon in a decent amount of time.

Good news about the hair: Trevor LOVES it.

(He asked me last night, "Is it weird that I love it because. . . well, first, you look hot, but also my mom always had blonde hair and I love her hair?" Awe, he's just so damn adorable.)

And once the brighter blonde fades, I'm at my natural-ashy-dirty dishwater blonde. 

(Although I kind of like the bright blonde.)

Thanks, Kenzie! I'll definitely be back. (:

#sorrynotsorry Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just so late in the month now that by the time it shows up, boom it's December and all of the crazy happens. December is such a busy month! Michelle (mother-in-law) is also coming this week to stay with us and Trev and I wanted to enjoy our Christmas tree for as long as we could. So, apartment 51 turned into Christmas hell. This past weekend we got ALL of our Christmas shopping done (take that, black Friday), I cleaned and decorated the apartment, and we danced to our favorite Christmas toons as we fluffed branches and hung ornaments.

I don't like you anyway, Thanskgiving, so HA.

P.S. Trev also got his big Christmas present early. . .

His smile says it all. As Phil Robertson says, "Happy, happy, happy!"

He saved up all of his lawn mowing money from the summer and was waiting until the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals hit to buy one of the latest and greatest gaming systems. After months of going back and forth about whether to get a PS4 or an XBOX One, Trev finally decided to switch to the Sony side of life, and I don't think Microsoft will ever get him back. Even I can notice the huge change in graphics and performance, and I despise video games. This particular PS4 was purchased at Wal Mart for $399 (ouch!) but included a $50 giftcard. He also walked away with Grand Theft Auto 5 (love that game) and Madden 15 (almost didn't buy it because of Richard Sherman's face on the front).

P.P.S. I have a job interview tomorrow at Zion's Bank for a teller position. No, it's nothing in my field, but it's a job that can provide for my husband and I as he continues through school. I had a friend tell me last week that he didn't want to see me "squander away my degree." Of course I would love a job in PR, but I'm not finding anything right now and I need something NOW. I've always wanted to be a bank teller, it's still working with and communicating with the public, and Zion's Bank is a great, moral company who takes care of their employees. So, if ya'll could cross your fingers and pray to God//Allah//Buddah//the sky//whatever you do that I get this job, that'd be great.

Freezing my tooshie off in the Copy Shop.

- I've drank more Slurpees in the past month than I did all summer, even though it has been freezing outside.

- All I want it to do is snow. And when I say snow, I mean dump a shit ton of white stuff on Cedar City. It pathetically snowed on Saturday, so I obviously had to capture the moment.

- I really, really, REALLY like my internship at the hospital. It was hard the first couple of weeks - a baptism by fire sort of experience - but I've learned so much. The more I go, the more I know that I want to work in the Public Relations/Communication department at a hospital (specifically an Intermountain hospital).

- Chase (our brother-in-law, Aubrey's husband) was in town for a couple of days for his mom's wedding. Aub didn't come because of school, but we get to see her during Christmas. We got to meet up with him and go to dinner last night.

-Texas Roadhouse is always a good time with friends, especially if one of your friends has a birthday and you get to watch them sit on the saddle. Yeeeeehawwww!

- I'm about to go take my LAST MATH TEST of my undergraduate life. Three cheers (and three mental breakdowns) to school getting out in three weeks.

Poor Pity Me

Rejection hurts.

Do I sound like a whiny teenage girl who just got her heart broke? Probably. No, Trevor didn’t kick me to the curb. He’s too good of a man to do that. ;)  He’s been an angel, my motivation, the reason to wake up and go to school and work the past couple of days.

Two weeks ago, I went to SUU’s Career Fair to network and chat with future employers. I talked to Café Zupas (oh god, Zupas! *insert heart eyed emoji here*) and interviewed with them on a whim. Though the interview went great, I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been and surprise, I didn’t get the job. I really had my eyes and heart set on Target though. “What? With a bachelor’s degree almost in hand, why does she want to work for Target?” you may be thinking. Well, Target offers a great corporate environment filled with leadership, creativity and innovation, the opportunity to advance, the chance to move anywhere in the United States, and a secure job with nice pay and benefits. Besides that, Target is also a moral and ethical company who supports education and volunteerism. (I know, I’m a geek.) People who work for Target typically love the atmosphere that they’re in, whether the position is clerk to management. Working for Target would be the perfect opportunity to expand and grow as a person, work as a leader and team player, advance my skillset, and become a more diligent worker. 

Anyway – tangent aside about how great Target is – I had a friend who had sent in my resume a couple of days before to her past Target recruiter, and introduced me to them at the Career Fair. I took in my new adult resume, wore my nice fancy clothes, and introduced/pitched myself to them like the adult I am. Low and behold, the next day I was called about an on-campus interview with Target for the following Tuesday. I was thrilled! All weekend long I fretted and studied, practicing my answers to interview questions out loud to my husband. I was so nervous because I wanted it so bad. Monday evening I bought my first professional blazer and a new set of heels for the occasion, and ironed the shit out of all of my clothes.

Tuesday (November 4) morning rolled around, and I had to work in the Copy Shop. I woke up at 5 a.m. to do my hair and makeup to look just right and continued to review and answer behavioral based interview questions. I had never been so nervous about an interview before. My sweet husband knew how nervous I was and was muttering me words of motivation in his sleep. He even woke up before he needed to so he could wander outside to start my car to defrost the windows. Mistake number one: Trevor locked my keys in my car because I thought my spare key would just let me in. We have some weirdo neighbors now and I didn’t really like the thought of my car idling with the doors unlocked. Well, because my car is newer and smarter, it didn’t like Trevor holding the lock down to lock the car as he got out. In fact, it was pissed. Even with my spare set of keys, it wouldn’t let me into the damn car! The automatic buttons wouldn’t work, and I couldn’t get the key to turn in the lock. I ran frantically back into the house, barefoot, to wake Trevor up to help me. By the grace of god, he was able to put enough pressure on the key for it to turn manually. Not the best way to start out an already stress induced morning.

I finished up my shift in the Copy Shop and reviewed questions with a co-worker and my boss. Then, I gathered my wits and headed to my interview at 11 – a whole fifteen minutes early. Once my interview was confirmed, I was taken into the first room. If I made it past the first room and interviewer, I was taken into the second room. If I made it past the second room and second interviewer, I was taken into the third and final room with the district leaders. Guess who made it past three different rooms and interviewers? Yeah. Me. I even was taken on a walk around the Sharwan Smith Rotunda to get drinks with one of the other district managers. The whole interview took TWO HOURS. Longest freaking interview of my life, but I walked away with a smile on my face and a beat in my step.

Interview day with Target // November 4, 2014

Of course Tuesday night and all day Wednesday I began stressing and double guessing myself. Wednesday afternoon while I was sitting in the Copy Shop I received an email from Target HR to take yet another step and fill out their online assessment. This assessment included situational scenarios, “break it down and solve the problem” questions, personality and leadership questions, and then more situational scenarios. Target wasn’t kidding when they told you it would take an hour to complete. This assessment is basically another step in the interview process to see if you are a potential candidate. After all of my doubting, I was feeling really good about this job…

….until I didn’t hear anything Thursday….

…. or Friday morning….

…. By the time the rejection email hit my inbox, I already knew it was coming. I was in tears, horribly depressed, and ready to sign up for grad school because apparently I’m not good enough to work in the real world. (Might I add that it didn't help my ego that I also got a rejection email the same day from Wells Fargo about a teller job here in Cedar because I was “too qualified.”) I called my parents and cried to them for comfort, and didn't leave my husband's arms for a good two hours. Trev learned unfortunately that black mascara and eyeliner running down a woman's face isn't the prettiest and it gets on clothing.

I've cried lots of tears, I've worried myself sick, and I haven't quite felt like myself for the past week. But today, even though the lining of the stomach has been turned into an ulcer from worrying, I'm moving forward and not looking back. Something better is out there for me and everything is going to turn out okay. Someday I'm going to realize why I didn't get that Target job. Someday I'll find the job with the perfect pay, opportunities, and benefits. Last Friday was not that day, and today isn't either. But I'm moving forward.

Ramblings of a crazy woman who is about to get her period and graduate next month. #winning

Four weeks. 17 school days. December keeps creeping closer and closer. The pressure is on and here’s what’s been on my mind lately. Let's see if you can keep up.

Trevor is frantically trying to pull up his Math 1050 grade (hello D, you’re a jerk). I’m losing energy to do anything productive yet my internships keep me insanely busy (not a good combination). Trevor just registered for another semester of classes (he’s really excited about his Special Education class). I’m on the verge of tears every time my boss reminds me of the fact that I won’t be working in the Copy Shop for much longer (she’s one of my best friends AND I love my job). Trev has been dealing with my stress over what the hell I’m going to do about a job (I’ve interviewed with two large companies in the past week, and I’m waiting to hear back from both). I have had zero energy to even make out because my mind is elsewhere (TMI? Oops). Trev and I are both in desperate need for a haircut (my roots are screaming for a recolor) but I miss our fabulous hair stylist who ditched me for California and I’m struggling to find a new one. Trevie is still battling between choosing a Playstation 4 or an XBOX One (any suggestions, friends?). I have attended my math class once in the past week and I still have a B (+10 points for me). Michelle is coming to Cedar City for Thanksgiving so we have to deep clean the apartment (boo, cleaning is the worst!). I’ve decided I really do my best work and work the hardest when I’m under stress and pressure (makes no sense, I know). Trevor has a girl in his Music for Elementary School Teachers class whose name is Fresia (pronounced Fray-sha – what the hell were your parents thinking?) and she’s a little much for him to handle. Cameron and I spend quality time every Sunday watching football (you pissed me off this past Sunday, Broncos, don’t freaking do it again). Trevor’s EDGE project//class is the soul sucking worst thing in the world and it pisses me off to no end (thanks for your shitty great idea, Brad Cook – it’s not like Trev’s busy enough as is with other school stuff and work – but let’s add on a stupid project). It snowed in Cedar last weekend, and it’s given us an excuse to click on our heater (after I got over my fear of dying from carbon monoxide poisoning, that is). We really, really want a French Bulldog but a. we can’t find an apartment that allows pets and b. we can’t find a breeder in Utah who doesn’t have a mile long waitlist (go us for picking a popular breed). I’m on double birth control to see if my period will regulate and to start working on my stupid uterus so that we might be able to have kids someday, so bye-bye sex (TMI for the second time? Meh). I read WAY too many Mormon mommy blogs and yet somehow I don’t miss being a member of the church (for realz though). Trevor wants to buy and drive a 2014 black or red Dodge Dart while I think they’re the gayest car ever (-20 wife points from me; besides, by the time we can afford another new car, it’ll be years down the road). Speaking of family, we haven’t seen my extended family since March and won’t see them until Christmas (ouch – sorry guys!). Trevor has put off raking up the leaves off from Grandma’s lawn and I’m secretly happy about it because I want to go and take #basicwhitegirl photos in the leaves (I’m a disgrace to mankind). Dancing with the Stars is down to its final six competitors (adios stupid Michael the racecar driver) – Janel and Val, Bethany and Derek, Sadie and Mark, Tommy and Peeta, Alfonso and Witney, and Leah and Artim – while I want Sadie and Mark to win, I know that they won’t because she is too religious and America hates too much religion (and hicks #duckdynasty) so that means Bethany and Derek are going to win (because who are we kidding, Derek is a ballroom dance god). The fire alarm in the back bedroom needs a new battery so it beeps incessantly, but Trevor and I both ignore it because we’re too lazy or busy to do anything about it (relationship goals, people). I watched the CMA Awards last night on ABC while working on homework and projects; Luke Bryan is a babe #entertaineroftheyear, I hate that Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert have won Male and Female Entertainer of the Year for the past FIVE YEARS, Ariana Grande is annoying and should never sing with Little Big Town again, Keith Urban’s “Somewhere in My Car” is a very sexy song and I love it, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum is the best role model for women young and old, and I’m so excited for Garth Brooks to come back into the country music world (Garth, you’ve gotten old and fat). There are lots of movies coming out this month and next month (bye-bye pay checks). I don’t know what to get my husband for Christmas, and he doesn’t know what to get me either (we’re not needy people). Old Navy credit card is the best and the worst thing ever invented, and it literally owns my soul; my heart skips a beat when I see a grey package (again, oops). Trev's been studying to take the Praxis II test next week (and he is the worst, cutest studier everrr). PMS cravings currently include chocolate chips and pretzels, Cheetos, and Sunkist (fatty over here!). Trevor and I watched 19 Kids and Counting the other night as we were getting ready for bed, and that show fascinates me while all Trevor can talk about is how loose of a vajayjay that woman must have from popping out 19 kids (HA! Hahahahaha!). 

Note: I think this has to be probably my favorite rant post ever. Try not to take it seriously, but #sorrynotosorry if people get offended. Opinions are like buttholes and armpits: everyone has ‘em, and sometimes they stink.

Our fat bellies and our winter attire. We're adorable.

New heels and blazer for a job interview.

2.5 years of togetherness celebration at Winger's

The time we won $1000 for being other people

Halloween '14 will be one that lives on in history.

Trevor was bound and determined to be Maverick from Top Gun, but we couldn't find him a big enough flight suit nor a flight suit that was under $100. And besides, what was I supposed to be? A flight attendant? No thank you. I'm all about doing couples' costumes - I know, I'm that girl. But Halloween is one of those holidays that I knew I'd always look forward to as a wife and someday mother because of the chance to be creative, dress up with a theme, and make some memories. It's a tradition I want to carry on. Even as my kids get older, Trevor and I can still cater our costumes around theirs. Anyway - year one we were '50s people {you know, poodle skirts and slicked back hair?}, year two we were bank robbers, and this year... well...

"Cruella DeVille, Cruella DeVille, if she doesn't scare you no evil thing will." 

And of course Cruella wouldn't be complete without a dalmatian puppy either.

I called my mom a week before we went up north for fall break and asked her if I could borrow the Cruella cape. Mom has three massive totes in the garage filled with Halloween costumes. My mom made the Cruella DeVille cape back when I was in elementary school for herself one year. The dog ears that Trevor's wearing came from my 1st grade birthday party, which was 101 Dalmatians themed. I {barely} remembered to grab the cape and dog ears before we headed back to Cedar. I put together everything else. Trev's collar is made from felt, and his shirt was dotted with over 100 black dots from a wooden dowel and acrylic paint. I found the fishnet tights, the gloves, and the cigarette holder, and dug out some of my favorite black pieces of clothing out of the closet. I learned that putting makeup on a boy is one of the hardest things in the world, too. "My face itches!" or "I don't like it so close to my eye" or "When we eat dinner, will I eat my makeup?" were just a couple of phrases that came out of Trevor's mouth yesterday. Oh, and he also wouldn't stop talking, so of course when I went to dot his face he would open his mouth and the dot would turn into a smear. I flicked him the forehead out of frustration, hahaha.

We ate pumpkin shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's with the York cousins and then we took three of the four kids out trick-or-treating. For being a Halloween on a Friday night, Cedar City children were inside awful early and we were the only ones out past 9 p.m. When the kids' feet were aching and their buckets were full of candy, we took them home and headed to SUU's The Scream. *Important: Trevor wasn't too excited to go to The Scream; he thought it was just a big dance and a slut fest, and he's not a big fan of dances. The Scream is a big Halloween celebration with a dance, a photobooth, a comedian, a spook alley, an illusionist, performances from campus groups, and a temporary tattoo booth. More importantly, there was a costume contest. All night as we walked around, we were stopped by Scream staff and helpers and fellow students who complimented us on our costumes and took down our names. Little did we know that all of those people were submitting our names for the costume contest. Individual costumes were entered in to win $500, and group costumes were entered in to win $1,000. 12:15 a.m. rolled around and Trev and I made our way to the Centrum to find out the results for the costume contest. An SUUSA person brought up the two finalists for the individual costume contest and had the audience vote for the winner by screaming. That made me nervous; I really hate popularity contests. Then came time for the group contest finalists. Ryan (the SUUSA guy) announced the first finalist to come up to the stage... but they weren't there! By default, the next finalist would be the winner of the contest. You can imagine our surprise when Ryan ANNOUNCED NATASHA AND TREVOR GREEN AS THE WINNERS OF THE GROUP COSTUME CONTEST! Trevor and I looked at each other and then started screaming to catch Ryan's attention to let him know we were there. I took off for the stage, weaving in between people, with Trevor trailing behind. We could hear our friends and fellow students cheering as we went in front of everyone to claim our $1,000 prize. It was the craziest thing ever.

Trevor and I (group costume contest winners) with Jack Skellington (individual costume winner)

Needless to say, Trevor was pretty damn happy that we ended up going to The Scream after all, and I'm glad I have a good sport for a husband who will look ridiculous to please his wife. I can't wait for next year's costumes. Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween! Now onto Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Trick-or-treating with the York cousins. Little 'Elsa' loved my cape.

My cute boss was chaperoning the dance.

*Some of our fun photobooth pictures with our friends. :)