Officially married to a JL

Wow. I think I'm still speechless. I am officially married to journeyman lineman. Just wow.

6 months of being a grunt.
3 years and 4 months being an apprentice.
9 states.
Roughly 15 cities.
11 months of total lay off (this makes us a little sick...)
15 month engagement.
2 trailers.
1 crazy trailer dog .
1 pregnancy with 2 obgyns.
1 baby with 4 pediatrician.
Too many missed events at home.
So many tears, laughs and memories made on the road.

Its been a huge sacrifice that my husband has made to get to this point. Mike earned every single hour to his journeyman ticket. He's missed family reunions, birthdays, holidays, and too many family/friend events to even begin to count. I've made sacrifices. I've lived in a trailer for two years. I gave up my career to keep my family together and support Mike 100%. We've had to learn how to relay on only each other to push through the lay offs and last minute moves. We have an incredible story and strong married to prove it.

Its a long haul to reach this point but we made it. I am so proud of my husband for his dedication, hard work, and continually effort to learn everything he can about being a safe, efficient power lineman. I am proud of myself for making the tough decision to pack up my life to go with Mike, that I pushed myself to stay busy, and raise a baby in a trailer.

We got up early Friday morning and instantly both felt that sick to your stomach, mammoth butterfly feeling you get when something big is coming. We went to the Mountain States Apprenticeship office to drop off his hours, than we met up with our friends Brandon & Astra (Brandon is a mtn states 4th step and Astra has turned into one my most treasured friends.) We went to lunch to wait for the okay to go to Local 57 to pick up the ticket. After a yummy breakfast we all headed to the union hall. It felt so surreal walking in and watching Mike tell him why we were there. There is such a pride in this job that is so cool to see. The guy gave Mike a nice speech and a hand shake (all while I was mentally trying not to tear up!) We weren't there long but I doubt we'll ever forget that day. Thank you again Brandon and Astra, you two being there made that day extra special. Your friendship is defiantly a lifelong one... we can't wait to be sitting back home watching our kids run around, drinking cold ones, and remembering back on the tough days of the apprenticeship. We love you three!!

The rest of our trip was filled with a little shopping, pool time, food, celebratory drinks and lots of relaxing.

dropping off final hours! (he's not excited at all...)

LOVE this girl!! (and brandon & baby u)

 

future lineman?

-so cool!

golden ticket!! so proud of this handsome husband of mine!

 

Before we left for SLC, one of the guys was laughing at me because I was saying it's been a long time coming and I kept saying "we". I thought at first he was making fun of me but than he got serious and said that I earned it too, Living on the road and supporting my husband every day. Hearing another lineman say that defiantly made me feel better. These 4 years have been filled with so many ups and downs but damn its been one hell of an adventure.


We keep getting asked what our plan is now. Truth is we aren't sure... we had it in our head we'd come home right away. But after the 6 hour drive back to Alamo we're really undecided. There are so many options, that's the beauty of the jl ticket! So I will say this...as of right now we're staying in Alamo. I'm loving the weather, Mike loves this job, I have Kristina with me now, we love our family sunday dinners and we aren't ready to decide. You all know I'll keep you updated on where and when we decide to move! :) 

 

So at risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll leave you with this. Thank you. Thank you friends & family who have cheered us along the way, wished Mike good luck during tests, sent me positive messages during tough trailer days and most importantly carried our journey in your prayers. I can't explain the look of pure happiness I got to see on my husbands face as he handed in his last time sheet, got handed his golden ticket and the goofy smile on his face as read each of your amazing/encouraging comments. We love you all.

St. Patty's in Pictures

I feel like yesterday was part dream because it went by too quickly. But I guess that's expected when Mike gets a day off and we have to cram grocery shopping in... seriously I really don't like grocery shopping anyways but this trip took the cake and confirmed my desire to never live in a town without an actual grocery store.

I woke up went for a quick run and hit the road to Vegas. All together it took me 6 hours to get there, shop and head home. Ridiculous. I felt like the insane coupon lady with over flowing carts. It was all worth... with a little magic it all fit and we are completely stocked up. (okay too much HP? am I only one who reeeally wishes they had a wand when it comes to cleaning/organizing?)

 Costco & Walmart I kinda wanted to hurt people after trying to fit everything in the carts... I didn't take an after pic of Costco but come on its Costco we all know how quickly we find stuff we neeeeed :)

To my happy surprise Jamba Juice was right next to the shopping center. Takes me back to my preggo days... and yes it was necessary to get the largest cup!

Longest flattest drive of my life.

 

But all that was worth it all said n done! We were finally able to squeeze in park time with Daddy! Having him home makes any bad day better!! Love my boys SO much!

Oh Yeah Karen I stocked up on WINE!! :)

 The Boys cooking. Don't mind the sweet new table clothe I bought for Colton... good thing these guys are thinkers and duct taped it down ;)

kabobs, pasta salad, watermelon and strawberry shortcake for dessert... perfect linefamily Sunday dinner.

and YES we got new neighbors!! Kristina and her boys made it in just in time for dessert :) so excited to go show them the town later!

 

So now we're back to Monday but this week I don't have to wait to Sunday to see more of Mike. Only 2 more days and we'll be in Salt Lake City!! :) I am so excited to spend a little time with my family, go shopping with one of my favorite people ever (Astra and Brandon will be in SLC at the same time, perfect!!), finally meet a few more linewives for drinks, and of course pick up the golden ticket!

 

Until than I'll be busy getting ready for our trip and packing up to move tonight. Either to another section in the park or to a new park. We're still dealing with power issues and I think my husband is about to blow a fuse. Ugh.

 

Hope everything had a fun St Patty's and got their fill of green beer! :)

Welcome Spring (and Dad!)

As some of you saw I cracked. Only 4 weeks into solitude living and I have decided I never want to live in this small of a town ever again. Or have my husband work 84 hours every single week. We were both exhausted and luckily our weekend break came at a perfect time... aka before we both had mental break downs or Mike just feel asleep on the job.

Last Friday Mike's day got rained out so after 25 days of him working 12 plus hours each day, he got to come home before 6! I knew all he was going to want to do was sleep so I took advantage and called and made a very much needed hair appointment in Vegas. It took about an hour and a half one way but man it was worth it. My hair had gone from unintentional ombre to straight up trailer trash hair. I was really nervous about going somewhere I had never been but thanks to Yelp and a little guts I found a good place to relax without Wes clinging on my legs. Amazing how getting your hair done turns into a mini vaca. 3 hours later, a fresh trim and the start of me going back blonde I was feeling very refreshed! I'm not going to lie it was pretty bittersweet I missed Wesson's whole dinner and bath routine but dad took over and did great. Besides I think me tearing up over that was just more reason I needed to go!

Also as I was out relaxing my dad was on his way to us! He had business in Bosie on Friday and decided to drive the 8 hours more and come visit us (uhm I mean Wesson.) It was so great to spend time with him. Mike had to work another full shift on Saturday so it was just us which worked out perfect. I've always had a great relationship with my dad but being able to show him my home, new town and hang out just us was extra special. He'll always be my dad but there's something pretty great when he turns into a great friend too.

of course he came on the coldest day in nv so far :) quick park time!

 

He was able to come with me to pick up my first bountiful basket Saturday morning. Thanks for my bitching about not having fresh fruits and veggies at the local gas station, Aunt Amy saved the day and hooked me up with a great deal! If you've never heard of them check out this link and order your first basket. I know a few people who do it back home but seriously its awesome. We got to walk to the elementary school, pick up my baskets and I got to give the grand tour of Alamo along the way.

my first basket! freshest fruit I've had in a month!

 



We finished our day out with dinner at Carlos and poker with the guys. If dad had more time we were taking him to Vegas. He smoked us! The trip ended way too quick but dang I'm so happy Dad made the time. It really meant a lot to me... its probably one of the coolest things to see your dad playing on the swings with your own son. :)

By the time Sunday came around Mike was so happy to be able to sleep in a little bit. Not much of course because we do have a loud child who I think was pretty excited to play with his dad finally! We started our day off with french toast with my dad before he headed back home. Than Mike and I loaded the truck up for a little hike around the lake. It was a beautiful area, defiantly different than back home. We traded in our beautiful pine trees for crazy looking cactus! I'm not sure why but we're not aloud to swim in the water, total bummer because it actually looked pretty clear. We got to see two little otters playing in the water. Luckily Remmi was off chasing birds, otherwise I'm not sure we'd have gotten him back!

we really need to invest in a new hiking back pack! luckily the was a paved path this time...

lovin the sunshine!

First Alamo hike!

so happy daddy is home to hang out!

joshua tree!

 

After our hike around the lake we found a little side road to check out. Mainly Mike kept saying he was looking for rocks that he could climb up in the truck with... some days I think he never aged past 18 ;) the further we drove down the canyon road, the spookier it got. We really are in the middle of no where Nevada. We came across these 3 wooden crosses up on the hill so of course we had to go check them out up close! They didn't look like graves but I'm sure they probably were. They looked like they'd been there awhile but someone is making sure they don't tip over with all the wires.

 

 

 

We had a good time making up stories why they were there :)

 

Our Sunday funday ended with sloppy joes, fries and beers with the guys and of course the newest episode of Walking Dead... well the first half anyways. All that sunshine made me extra sleepy!

 

Wesson's early Easter present from Grandma & Grandpa Schenck. Camping high chair! :) Perfect height for sharing with Remmi now...

 

All in all I had an excellent weekend. It was the perfect pick me up I needed... now only 10 more days until we head to SLC to pick up the Golden Ticket!!! and 2.5 weeks until Grandma gets to come visit for a week!! Countdowns make everything better :)





10 Month Hurricane Wes

Wow, am I really typing 10 months?! FYI this is an overload of Wesson post, I know long over due :)

Yes I officially have a typical crawling everywhere, getting into everything, accident prone, dog food eating 10 month old boy. I think I've said this before but I really don't think Wesson had a mellow baby stage. I mean yes he was mellower but I feel like he's always been a crazy child, and by that I mean the light of my life of course!

Wesson is just so much fun! He is constantly keeping us on our toes. Especially now that he can climb the stairs and fall back down. sigh. Seriously I didn't encourage the stairs for this reason and it happens with me sitting right there. I've already kissed my fair share of owies even though I think I tear up more than he does. He's such a stud.

When Mike was laid off him and Wesson really bonded. Like made me a little jealous bonded... well that bond certainly stuck despite Mike's long hours away. Mike gets home just in time for the end of the story and a good night kiss but boy does our little boy light up when daddy walks in the door. He doesn't even have to see him, just hear the door open and he doesn't want anything to do with boring mom. There are long days I really feel like I don't know if being here is best but man the minute I see Wesson's face, all questions go right out the door. It'll be tough on everyone when the boys and I move home in the transition time. 

I just have to say this little boy has been such a trooper with all the moving. I know he really doesn't know what's going on but this many changes can't be the easiest on his little body... today we took him to the local clinic for his 10 month wellness check up. This is now the 4th doctor he's seen, in the 4th state! He checked out great and was quite the hit in the waiting room crawling around entertaining the folks.

• He now weighs 22 lbs and is 28 inches long, growing right on track
• He has 6 teeth and loves brushing them with his own sesame tooth brush.
• Crawls everywhere... and he's fast, like scary fast.
• With him now being so quick him and Remmi actually play now. It cracks me up. Remmi will bring Wes a bone than Wes crawls away with it and Rem chases him. I think Remmi is ready for him to be able to full blown wrestle, which I have a feeling is coming soon.
• He no longer likes baby foods. He only wants real foods and is now obsessed with eggs for breakfast.
• His current favorite thing to do is swing. He gets the look of pure joy across his face when he sees the swing.
• I think he's starting to get the idea to walk. He'll stand between the couch and foot stool and take a few steps than crawl.
• He thinks its hilarious to eat dog food and if I catch him and say no he spits it out... into Remmi's water dish.
• I've spent way too many minutes trying to figure out why I don't have hot water until I found out Wesson is perfect height to flip the switch off.
• He is still going to bed around 7 and waking up around 6 but his naps are very short now. I'm lucky if he takes 2 one hour ones... I'm attempting next week to switch it up to just one long mid day one.
• He says mama clearly and says a big jumble of words when Mike gets around.

I know you shouldn't put this much pressure on your kids but I really am glad he's around. Alamo is already getting pretty lonely and I'm not sure what I'd do without Wesson... I guess I'd look pretty silly going down slides by myself. He already has such a sweet personality and is pretty laid back about everything. I think Mike and I lucked out in the baby department :)

brush brush!

seriously is that just the look of pure joy! love!

middle of their "game"

yay sunshine!

had to post... my dog is a freak.

zonked out after the long morning of errands around town.

Side note: happy early 1st birthday Emma!! Tori & Justin was it really a year ago we were all sitting in birthing class counting days until we got to meet our babies?! I so wish we could be there to help celebrate but we can't wait to facebook stalk all the pictures :)

Scariest part of this... Wesson turns 1 in 8 weeks now :-/ I remember holding Emma 7 months pregnant and mentally wishing time to move and contractions to come. oh boy...

why my week rocked.

• We got to deep clean our carpets... uh I mean our water pump got a mysterious crack in it and decided to floor our entire middle section of our trailer. Okay actually not the greatest start to our week especially after last weeks not long enough hose, so no draining water Tuesday; Wednesday's running out of propane while cooking dinner; and no power Thursday and Friday. haha it was a rough week on the old trailer. But we're fully functioning and it gives you all another reason to love your home.

• I finally met my weight loss goal. I've officially lost 21 pounds!!

my "beast mode" shirt Mike ordered for me for meeting my goal.

• I had a successful first Sunday dinner cooking for a few guys on the crew. I think it's going to become a regular Sunday night, dinner with the guys and walking dead? best day of the week! They were so excited to not have to eat left over pizza. Is that how my husband sounded before I moved in?! ;) Seriously though these boys are so sweet and appreciative it makes doubling dinner worth it. Plus who doesn't love it when their husband is proud of their wife?

I think Wes liked eating outside with the big boys.

• Successfully doubling chocolate chip cookies and making it through hours of baking them all. I forgot how tiny this oven is when it comes to baking, ugh. But once again these guys are working loooong hours the least I can do is bake cookies.
• Getting a text from my dad saying he's coming to visit in 2 weeks. I'm so excited and I'm already planning a mini day hike for us!
• Getting a phone call from my mom saying she's coming to visit me in a month! wine, pool and my mom?! perfect.
• Finally getting our first Sturgeon paycheck. gotta love double time, plus it nice to have a consistent paycheck again. I have no idea how people live on unemployment and stay sane. Every week we were having to make phone calls to make sure it was coming and we're still dealing with them. so exhausting.
• Planning March's meals and grocery shopping all right here at that local gas station/grocery store. Not as easy as it looks... amazing how they can get away with jacking up the prices of things. Puffs (Wesson's favorite treat) normally .99 here $2.49! ridiculous.

7 isles of groceries + a gas station= really hard shopping

• Finding a 3 mile loop in town. That's not an easy task when the town is this small and they don't believe in street lights. Turns out 4:15 am is really dark in the middle of no where Nevada.
• Receiving my first package in my very own P.O. Box!

birds on a wire scarf :)

• Walking to the library and picking up the next 3 Harry Potter books. I may or may not be a tad obsessed now...and I may have to go back this week to pick up the next 3... embarrassing? naw.
• Buying Wesson's first tooth brush defiantly makes the list. This kid now has 6 teeth, he's going to be eating steaks before we know it!
• The weather is warming up quickly and I'm starting to see 70s in the forecast.
• Mastering a yoga pose I've been working on since New Years, pretty awesome. There's no studio here so all my mat time in fit in between naps/baths/feedings/walks and if I'm brave I'll attempt while the monsters are awake... but typically this happens.

not successful day of yoga.

• Finding a local church that had a total of 10 people congregating. Wesson loved playing quietly under the pew with his cookie.
• Being able to walk to the clinic to schedule Wesson's ten month appointment. My favorite part about a small town is literally we can walk to every where we need to go. I haven't been in the truck since we got here! hello gas saver!

I know it may not seem like the most fun filled week but I'm trying to stay positive. As most of you have already came to the conclusion that Alamo does not have a lot to offer, it is offering us memories and the hours Mike needs :) 4ish weeks left people!! Trust me our Salt Lake City trip is going to seem like a cruise to the Bahamas!

Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend! xx!

Alamo, NV

I can't believe we've already been here 5 days already. I finally took some pictures out on our walk so hopefully I can give you all a good look at our new home... First off here's some Alamo facts:

• Population 1080.
• Alamo is the closet town to Area 51
• The closet town to us is Caliente, which has a large population of 1,132, but they have a Super Family Dollar Tree!
• Alamo is a dry town, the town was founded on LDS beliefs.
• Everything is closed on Sundays.
• Everyone knew exactly who Sturgeon Electric was when I told them why we're here. It was nice to not have to explain what a lineman is!

On Tuesday our park host took me around the town and I felt like the movies. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. We literally walked the entire town and went inside every building, this isn't saying much. Its so nice not to not have to drive every time you need to go somewhere. Plus Remmi loves being able to always go with... He would just sit outside and wait until I came back. Again Bird Dog Boot Camp saved Remmi.

Here's your virtual tour of Alamo! FYI on my walk today I only had to wear a tank top and I was warm... I don't care how small a town is as long as the weather is nice!

here's our new park. its basically empty but filling up quickly with all Sturgeon guys.

Our new spot. Out back is our grassy area with a picnic table and a little stream, my pool will go back there.

Scoops, yummy icecream shop

my super fancy library, that thankful carries all harry potter books. unfortunately I finished #1 WAY too fast and they are closed fri-mon. I will be stocking up on Tuesday!

one & only restaurant in town. at least its mexican! mmmm

main street. so fancy.

 

Yesterday for Valentines Day I decided to venture out and find the park. And boy am I glad I did! Its located in a really awkward part of town and the end of a random neighborhood street filled with really loud barking dogs. Once you get into the park though. so much fun.

 

man does this little boy love to swing!

Rem had fun harassing the horses until he heard it was snack time...

 

So yes all and all we're adjusting well. We're all finding our groove again and so happy to be back to work! :)

 

Quick Mike Update: Mike is currently working 7 12s, and as soon as it gets lighter out they'll move to 7 14s. The hours are ridiculous but with this amount of time Mike will be finished with the apprenticeship in roughly 6 weeks. He's loving this job, his foreman is someone he met 2.5 years ago when he first worked with Sturgeon. He's letting Mike be acting lineman, which is basically the coolest thing. Its so nice to have your husband come home so happy! Here's what the structures that they're working on look like.

 

He said he'll try to get me some action shots so you can all see what a stud my husband is :)

Happy Day After V-Day!! <3 :)