the adventure of 2013!

Boy, 2013 sure was a year to remember... so many major life changes and accomplishments! Looking back at the highlights from the year, I still can't believe what a year we had!

In January, we put our deposit down at Creighton Dental School, not knowing where we'd eventually end up.In February, Spencer worked hard on submitting his military scholarship applications. Wow, that was sure a process neither of us ever want to repeat. In March, we decided that I should take the bar exam in Utah, knowing that if we ended up in Nebraska, I could transfer my results to that state. In April, I graduated from BYU Law School and Spencer graduated from BYU in Exercise Science!

In May, we took a 2 week trip to Orlando and the Caribbean, celebrating both of our graduations and our  2 year wedding anniversary. Let's just say, it was absolute heaven. Give me a beach AND Disneyworld AND the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and I could die of happiness!

In June, I turned 25, and turned on bar studying to full-force drink-through-a-firehose kind of information overload. In July, I took the Utah Bar exam! Biggest relief when that was over. We also took a trip to my favorite sunny town of California, San Diego. In August, we moved to Nebraska and Spencer turned the big 2.5. Spencer also started dental school and I accepted a job as in-house counsel for Fidelity National Title.

In September, we found out that Spencer had been awarded the 4 year scholarship with the Army for dental school. I can't even begin to describe the relief and gratitude we feel for this amazing opportunity.

In October, I found out that I passed the bar! Yipee!!

In November, we took a weekend whirlwind trip to Chicago for Thanksgiving and absolutely fell in love with that city!

In December, we went back to Utah and visited our friends and families back in Salt Lake after our first 5 months of living away. We loved every minute and can't wait till we get to see them all again.

2013 can go down in the books as the year of PATIENCE! Patience on waiting what dental school Spencer would end up at, patience on waiting to find out where we will be living for the next four years or even eight years, patience on waiting 8 MONTHS to hear if Spencer got the Army scholarship, patience on waiting on my bar results, patience on waiting to hear back from job applications.

If anyone knows me, they know that patience is not necessarily my strongest suit and I am a crazy planner who feels like my life is only in control if I have set plans. So not knowing what lay ahead of us what incredibly stressful for me. However, I just kept repeating to myself, it will all work out for the best, it will all work out for the best. And guess what, it DID! Everything didn't happen exactly as I had first planned, but all I can say is that looking back, I know that everything has worked out exactly how it should. We are right where we need to be at this point in our lives.  I am honestly SO grateful for everything that we have been blessed with this past year and am looking forward to whatever 2014 brings our way! Happy New Year!

xoxo

the bevans

adventure of the thanksgiving road trip

When thinking about Thanksgiving this year, we both got a little bit sad that we wouldn't be able to spend it with our families this year. Plus, I really didn't want to try and pull together a Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us...that isn't very exciting. So we decided since this is the only week of the year where I actually get two days off in a row, to go to Chicago! We are so excited! Neither of us has ever been and it seemed like the perfect getaway for the holiday season.

Some things we are excited for...

Thanksgiving dinner at Hash House a Go-Go

Walking off "the Ledge"

Chicago Art Institute and various other museums

Seeing Elf on Broadway

I was a little bummed we won't be near outlets for my annual Black Friday extravaganza, but I guess this will just help me save and who knows what the city of Chicago may have in store.

We'll post a full update on our adventures in Chi-town! Any must see places to see are always welcome!

the adventure of Omaha

Well folks, it's official. We are officially Nebraskans. Never thought I'd be writing that sentence in my life. But life has that way of taking you places you never thought you'd go. My blogging has been completely sporadic, but I've made a vow to post more regularly just to stay a little bit more connected.

Anyway, since this is really happening and since you all know I am a shameless planner, I've made a top ten list of things I am looking forward to now that we are in Omaha:

TOP TEN FOR OMAHA ADVENTURES

10. Exploring some of my pioneer roots at Winter Quarters, Mormon Trail, and a little trip to Navuoo.

9. Owning a townhouse where we can pretty much do whatever we want with decorating: painting, flooring, whatever. Obviously we are only going to be here for 4 years so we won't be going crazy with remodeling anything, but still, 4 years!

8.This November, Omaha is getting an outlet mall. Thank HEAVENS, I will still have my Banana outlet to find my amazing deals at!

7. The Omaha Zoo and Aquarium. This Zoo was ranked #2 in the Top 10 Museums, Zoos and Aquariums of 2013, just right after Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History.

6. Living right next door to Lauritzen Botanical Gardens, the perfect place for Sunday walks.

5. Heartland of America Park, complete with a bridge crossing the Missouri River, gondola rides, and jogging trails.

4. Old Market- fun to explore small boutiques, shops, and cafes.

3. 7 hours to Chicago (Ali Clayton and Liz Peterson-Fry, I'm coming to see you guys!), 6.5 to St. Louis, and 3 hours to Kansas City. Looking forward to exploring the Midwest!

2. Omaha is where I will officially become a lawyer! Tomorrow, I start as an associate claims counsel for Fidelity National Title!

1. Moving to a new city, making new friends, new experiences, and really having to rely on each other for everything!!

In our first month here, we are doing a pretty good job of moving down the list!

We've spent the last month settling into our new house and new carpet, paint, light fixtures etc. have really helped make our house feel more like home.

I like to call this next section, from Bachelor to Bevan.

Before

After

Before

After

After

Before

Before- Notice the awesome light fixture and random blue line!

After

Before

After...but we are not really done here

Before

After

After

Before

After

Before

After

After

After, notice the presence of blinds? I don't know how someone could live with no blinds!?

Before: This is how ALL of our light plates and switches were...attractive!

After: awww, white light plates and switches, SO much better!

All of the grout was broken and so I got to retile the bathroom floor.
Spence was very proud of my handiwork!

2nd bedroom, not really finished yet, so get excited to see the final reveal once we are done!

The wreath was getting a little weather-worn and sad looking so I did a base in rubbed bronze spray paint and finished it off with some silver spray paint on the berries, and I think it turned out ok!

Some other highlights of our past month so far here in Omaha include: 

Spence getting sworn into the Army!

Army Strong :)

Rhino at the Omaha Zoo

Omaha Zoo: Where the penguins and giraffes live in harmony

Anyone seen 7 pounds? Every time I see one of these giant jelly fish, I think of Will Smith

Just chillin'

Weekend trip to Kansas City: Award winning BBQ team at Oklahoma Joes!

Of course Spencer had to watch the end of the BYU game, so we ate in the car, total Kansas City style right?

Liberty Jail

Just before I got sick

Dramamine did NOT get my endorsement this trip!

Lauritzen Gardens: Amazing that this place is next door!

And finally, the cute little Old Market, making downtown just that much better!

Our home is now ready for visitors, so come on over! There is a ton to do and see in Omaha, much to our pleasant surprise!