It's Time for a Change

This is me last week.....

And this is me today....

The hair is a small change, but I was just thinking about how we have a lot of big changes coming up soon. One change I'm looking forward to? Trent coming home from his mission. One change that I am NOT looking forward to? Moving twice in 5 months. Ick. Does anybody actually like moving? Oh, and yes I am wearing a turtleneck in May. It is freezing and we even had some snow this morning. Sunny weather and summer will be a welcome change to this winter that has lasted way too long.

The Big Apple

Steven and I arrived home from our AWESOME vacation to New York late last night (more like this morning). And then we both had to get up nice and early in order to make it to school/work. Coming home from a vacation is the worst. However, our trip was so much fun and I am so glad we decided to go. We had a great time together, and it fulfilled a dream of mine by going.

My Favorites:

The shopping and fashion. I was like a little kid at Christmas while on Fifth Avenue.

Going to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway... I wouldn't say that I am a huge musical fan, but the show was so amazing, it gave me chills.

Visiting the temple and going to church IN the temple. That was a neat experience. The temple is also about 2 blocks away from Julliard and when the hymns were sung, I honestly felt like I had accidentally joined the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Visiting the famous monuments of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.... The whole city really does just sparkle at night.

And, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn into Manhatten. If I lived in New York, I think that I would make the walk weekly because the views are incredible.

Steven's favorites:

The food, specifically the pizza, hotdogs, and cupcakes. Let's just say it is a good thing we were walking so much. And a very good thing that they don't have a Magnolia bakery in Provo. That just might be the thing that could make us both fat.

Visiting museums. We went through the Guggenheim and visited the outside of the Met and the MOMA (Steven is the more cultured one. I like the shopping, he likes the museums.)

Wall Street and the Financial side of New York (ok, so I really loved this part too. I guess that is what you get when two accountants go to New York).

And, surpisingly, when I asked Steven about his favorite parts, the first thing he said was "The Subway." Shocking, I know. But, Steven absolutely LOVES maps, and so finding his way around a huge city was actually fun for him. I planned the places and he got us there. We made a good team.

There were so many other things that we did- Little Italy, Chinatown, Times Square, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial, etc...... If anybody wants to see all of the pictures we took, the are here http://picasaweb.google.com/smfoote/NewYorkDays1And2, and here http://picasaweb.google.com/smfoote/NYDay3 and here http://picasaweb.google.com/smfoote/NYDay4And5. A year ago, the three places I wanted to visit most in the world were Paris, Germany, and New York. I never thought that I would see all of them in a year. I feel very lucky and blessed. We definitely LOVED New York.

Let Freedom Ring

On Thursday at work (the big April 15th), the partners gave out gifts and cards to thank the staff for all of the work we did during tax season. The card said "Let Freedom Ring," and that is really how I feel. I am free. I have a life again. I see daylight, and the weather has been perfect. Here is what we have done this weekend to celebrate my newfound freedom:

(1) Honestly, the very first thing I did was come home and take a nap. In fact, I took a nap Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Steven came home from taking a test yesterday and found me just waking up from a nap and said, "another nap?" But.... my body has definitely appreciated the rest....

(2) Steven and I went out for dinner and a movie to celebrate. We saw "The Blind Side" which was great and has been out for a LONG time. We got a little behind on "new" entertainment these past few months.

(3) Went shopping. I love shopping. And Steven really must have missed me while I was working so much because he came for the whole afternoon, and didn't even complain once. Those that know how Steven is with shopping can realize what a miracle this is. My favorite new item? These pink shoes.... I think they are way cute, and pink is just my favorite:

(4) Hung-out with my good friend Lauren, and fellow tax-season survivor. During tax season, we planned on going to get pedicures together to celebrate. But, when it came right down to it, we didn't REALLY want to spend $40 to have somebody paint our toes. So, we enjoyed the sunshine, chatted like only girls can, and got $1 drinks on a nice walk.

(5) Had a BBQ in the park with all the Provo Footes. Guacamole burgers, Frisbee, and fun. Perfect Saturday night:

All the above along with going for walks, cleaning the car, laundry, etc. made quite the full weekend. I'm amazed at how nice it is to have spare time again. Whew..... now off to New York next week. Can't wait.

Conference Weekend

This weekend was conference weekend, which is something I always look forward to. I had a great weekend, and I definitely feel uplifted and strengthened. One highlight of conference weekend is always the traditional "girls night" during the priesthood session. Steven's family was visiting, and so I had lots of girls to spend it with. We first braved the crowds to eat dinner at Olive Garden, and then we decided to do a little craft......

Pretty awesome tie-dye, if I do say so myself. Here is the whole group, with our final masterpieces (we missed you Katie!):

I feel so lucky and blessed to have such wonderful family on both sides. And speaking of family, I am so excited for this little brother of mine to get home from his mission to Paraguay in less than two months....

I guess he is not that little anymore, but he'll always be my baby brother. And, he is quite the stud, so look out girls.....

Sunday's are great. Conference is great. Family is great. That's all.

Light at the end....

Wow, it has been a month since we have posted anything on our blog, and that post was by Steven. I'm sure that if anybody ever actually read our blog in the past, they have long since given up on us. Well, I promise to be a better blogger because..... in 2.5 weeks it will be April 15 which means that I will have my life back.

This is my third tax season and it has been my hardest. Steven and I are both way too busy. I'm going on about eight straight 70+ hour weeks and honestly, I am just burned out. We both come home exhausted, and probably see each other awake for about 30 minutes a day. I've learned a ton, but I feel like life has just kind of passed me by lately. But, enough of my sorrows on working too much because..... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and to celebrate the end of tax season/semester..... we are going to..... New York!!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to visit New York, and we decided that life is short, so why not now? The glitz, glamour, fast-paced lifestyle, fashion, finance, and beauty of New York have all been something I've always loved. I can't wait to experience it all first hand. Now I just need to survive a few more weeks......

Taking Interest

About two weeks ago, Paige and I started a new blog, but not to replace this blog. Since we are both accountants (Paige is a CPA already, and I'm jealous), and we both like personal finance, we decided to write about it. Paige will start contributing in a few weeks when she's done with tax season. I'm going to try to get her to write one good post about taxes before then (while it will still be useful). Anyone who is interested in seeing our new blog is welcome to check it out: takinginterest.blogspot.com.

On a side note, Paige is very happy this evening with the results of the gold medal hockey game. Watching the game reinforced the fact that we aren't cut out for Olympic hockey. Canada won, and Sid the Kid scored the game winning goal. It was a little painful for my American heart, but it was good to see Canada win their sport on home ice. It meant more to them than it would have meant to us.

Happy Valentines Day!

Well, today is Valentines Day and I get to spend it with Steven. I love that Valentines Day fell on a Sunday this year so we can spend some time together. Things have been crazy, as promised, with lots of long work hours, so we take any chance we get to spend together. Some other things we have been up to lately are....

I had a roommate get together with these girls...

We all lived together our first two years at BYU, and it was GREAT to see them again. Our freshman year, we were the girls of "Shipp 112" in Heritage Halls, and then we moved on to the "Riv." We have so many fun memories together.... I think my stomach hurt from laughing after they left last week. Thanks guys!

Steven and I jumped on the bandwagon late and went to see "Avatar" in 3-d. My verdict? The 3-d and graphics were amazing, but the story was kind of weird. I'm not really one for sci-fi movies though. Overall, it was worth seeing.

The Olympics have started and I am so excited. Ever since I was a little girl, I have absolutely loved watching every little bit of the Olympics that I have time for. I'm mostly looking forward to the figure skating and hockey.... I did grow up in Canada after all.

And, when I got home from work yesterday, not only did I find that Steven had done the grocery shopping, cleaned the house, left me flowers and this....

BUT.... my CPA license finally came in the mail. Kind of an anti-climatic finish to a long, hard process, but it feels great. I can now officially say that I am a CPA. Whahoo....

Happy Valentines Day from the Footes!