Lately.

Life. That's pretty much what we were up to this winter. Sometime's it's hard to document the simple things that happen...but when it comes down to it that's where most of our memories are made! I seriously love the way that instagram has allowed me to document more of those simple things. It helps me to document all the many things I have to be grateful for.

One of our favorite past times this winter was bowling. We both love it and after Nick got new bowling shoes for Christmas we hit the lanes quite often! No one does it like pop n' pins. They have no computers to keep score... you just do it yourself. I love the simplicity of that orange creamsicle alley.

My parents had season tickets to the Jazz this year. Since we are on the way to SLC... well kind of... we got to go to our fair share of games. Lucky us!! We loved every game. Most of the one's we went to were on Tuesdays, so it was a great way to break up our work weeks.

Nick is ALWAYS doing service. This winter you could find him anywhere and everywhere shoveling walks. If you need proof that service will make you happy... he is your proof. This guy is as jolly as them come! He is always making the best of situations, like making a slushy out of some flat sprite and fresh snow. Love this fella.

Nick found a this (white) gem in an old man's yard while driving his work route in Logan, and he gave him a killer deal! We are now a 2-Geo metro family. Nick loves his cars and stuff like that. It is fun to see him get excited about things like this. One man's trash is another man's treasure.

I've continued to work at the Elementary as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and love it. I've also had the opportunity of being the school mascot. It's claustrophobic and exhilarating all at the same time.

Baby Cash was born in February. He makes niece/nephew #12 for us and so adorable!

Nick is serving as the 1st counselor in the Young Men's, and I am in the Young Women's. It keeps us busy, but we both really enjoy it!

I'm officially a Franklin county resident. I made the switch from 2T to 1F plates and I think I'm okay with it.


Our life has been pretty simple, but we like it that way! We are grateful for our jobs... which we both love. We love our home. We have great friends and the BEST family.

Life has never been better.

Entry Room Update

This winter, I decided it was about time to spruce up our entry room. When I was deciding what to do for this room I wanted it to be something simple and easy to clean, yet cute.... of course!! I also wanted this room to be functional. It definitely isn't a room where we will lounge around watching TV or eating dinner... which is how we spend most of our time when we are at home, but I wanted this to be a room that we would want to use.  Here is a peek into the place we call home.

Since this is a room that everyone entering our home would see, we wanted our story to be a part of it. That's when I thought of the idea of putting up a gallery wall. I must say it is probably one of my favorite things in our entire house! I find myself looking at it every day, and it seems to be a great conversation starter and something to look out when guests enter our home!

I try to remind myself every day how blessed and grateful we are to live in such a beautiful home. I love this place, and I know it will always have a place in our heart as our first home. But...who wouldn't love giant windows and original hardwood floors? 

Accepted

I began applying for graduate school back in October. 

Four months later and I finally received my answer! 

I am IN.

I am feeling humbled, excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time.

Since working as an SLPA at the elementary, I have learned how a career really can be a passion. I've always struggled finding something I was passionate about, but I think I have found something! I love the variety this career offers. I get to be creative by developing all sorts of materials for the kiddos, do all sorts of paperwork/secretary/computer work (I think I enjoy the organization and spreadsheet aspect of the secretary work), and I also get to work/play with kids of all kinds. I absolutely love it.

I can't wait to be an official Speech-Language Pathologist and be the [wo]man in charge.

Now if I can only make it through the next 3 years... 

Snapshot of Summer

Summer 2013 has definitely come to an end, but I can't help looking back on some of the memories we made during our first summer being married!

Our first summer as The Coats  included:

+a few good fishing trips

+Some time on the gold course

+50 Cent ice cream cones

+Demolition Derbys

+That famous Preston Night Rodeo (all 3 nights of it!)

+Parades

+ Long Bike Rides

+Days at the lake

+Fireworks

+Sleepovers in the motorhome

+Lots of weddings

and our favorite

+Lots of time with family

Aggie Alumni

In May I graduated from Utah State University with my bachelors in Communicative Disorders.

I was able to get my undergrad in just 3 years and that felt awesome!

I will always remember this chapter of my life and all the great memories and friends I made at Utah State!

And  big thanks this group of girls...

We always had such a fun time in class, studying, and doing projects!

We are all so similar but have now all gone different directions but I know we will always stay in touch!

PRESTON, ID 83263

Welcome to Preston, ID.

Population 5,205 + Nick & Gentry.

Birthplace of Napoleon Dynamite.

And

 Home of "That Famous Preston Night Rodeo" 

(the first rodeo performed at night under lights)

Life has led Nick and I here and we couldn't be happier.

Nick is a Preston native. 

As for me, I had never set foot in the town before Nick came along. 

Preston is probably everything you think it is, a farm town full of rednecks and good ole' boys.

 I am sure some may think it is a boring place with not much to do, 

but to Nick and I it is ::HOME:: and we wouldn't ask for anything else.

We know we are supposed to be here. And when I say know, I mean it. I have never been so fully aware and sure of the Lord's plan for me. I'll admit I wasn't too thrilled about moving to Preston, but as soon as we made the decision I knew there was no where else I should be. We have been overwhelmed with blessings as we have followed the promptings of the spirit. The Lord has a plan for each of us. If we listen to him he will lead us to the right places, at the right time, to teach us the right things, and to introduce us to the people we need in our life at that time.

We bought our first home and love everything about it! It is old, but updated, and I have loved putting my own touch on things! Nick loves having a lawn to mow and "working the ground" as he calls it in our flowerbeds. Someday he will have a field full of crops, but for now our small yard will have to do. I am sure a blog home tour will be in order, but I still have quite a few projects to work on before I will post pictures.

Nick is still working for Logan City for the environmental department. He really enjoys it, and he has a bit of a drive every day, but he enjoys having time to wind down on the way home. I worked for a place called Priestley Mental Health all summer doing Phsyco-Social Rehabilitation. It was great and I am still working there a few hours a week. But, Preston School District hired me as a Speech-Language Technician and I am ABSOLUTELY loving it. It feels great to use the things I studied in college and makes all the hard work I have always put toward school worth it! I work under the Speech-Language Pathologist in the Elementary School and  feel so lucky! I am hopefully planning to apply to graduate school this spring so I can be an SLP.

Our ward is awesome. We have already met so many great people and can't wait to become closer to all of them! Nick is a cub scout leader, and those 8 year old boys can't get enough of him! I just got put into the Young Women's and I am so excited about that! I know they will teach me more than I could ever teach them, but I hope I can be a good influence in their lives. I can already tell it is a strong group of young women.

Well that is all for now, but look forward to more happenings from our lovely life here in Preston!