Karisa & Ivan

Ivan and I were married on December 20 2008.
And then on January 12 2009, we had to leave each other for a while. Ivan i my Marine. That day, he left for USMC Basic Training. I knew that for the next 13 weeks i would not see or hear from my husband at all. I am so glad that I still had school to past the time. B/c the same day that Ivan reported to MCRD in San Diego CA, i have an 8 am class, starting my new semester in the dental hygiene program at NAU.
The next 13 weeks went by, the week days moving quickly, but the weekends dragging on and lonely.
I had decided to stay in an apartment of girls, to cut down on expenses and so that i would not be alone for the first time. At first this was a great idea and i was happy with the decision, but there is just a different mind set of a single girl and a married girl. times got hard yet they were also fun. I had decided that it was time for me to move out and get my own place. And i was lucky and found one. BUT! it would not be ready until June, and Ivan was coming home in April! what was I to do?
April came. YAY!!!! Ivan graduated from basic training on April 10, 2009. I was able to attend, along with my parents and Ivan's parents. The graduation was a two day event full of activities. Day one, the 9th was family day. Ivan did not get liberty until 1pm and we arrived at 7am. That was the longest day ever. we only got to SEE him. The Recruits were in formation until 1pm so they could not even smile or wink at their love ones. but then dismission came. And we found each other in the crowd. 13 weeks of nothing was long but that moment when i got to hold my man in my arms again, i forgot all the pain of the long time apart.
the next day was graduation day!!!! it was also an early start day. but it ended a bit earlier. graduation was at 10 am> And Jenny came!!!! Jenny is one of my best friends growing up. Her husband is also a US Marine. It was so much fun to see her and Bobby and his daughter Lilly.
After gradustion, when Ivan was free for the next 10 days, we all went out to lunch. After lunch we said our goodbyes to Jenny and Bobby. And we headed to the San Diego LDS Temple. Wow! this temple is so beautiful. if you like the outside just wait until you can enter! Every detail is absolutely magnificant. All trimmed in gold, but that is all i can say. Just if you can go there someday. i loved it.
The next day, Saturday the 11th, we went on Ivan's very first family vacation! We took him and his parents to Sea World. I could not believe that Ivan and his family have never taken a family vacation. I guess it is because his parents have always been taking care of someone who needed daily care. first it was his grandmother and the and still his uncle Ross.
But back to Sea World. it was a lot of fun even though it rained almost the whole time we were there. We all enjoyed oursevles very much.
The ride home was very long. but once we arrived we were so happy.
The next day was Easter!! Ivan and my first Easter together was so much fun and full of family. we went to Easter breakfast withhis family and easter dinner with mine.
Oh my nephew Gideon is so adorable! and everyone in the family was home that day. Mom and Dad, chad, Katie and Gideon, Ivan and I, Sadie and Cody. no one missing for a time.
The Next Monday I have to be back to school, only two weeks from finals and my Ivan was home. Talk about not having the motivation to study! But had too. And we still didn't have an apartment of are own. And NO! we did not stay in the apartment full of girls. we stayed with a family with six kids under 10 LOL!
A great wonderful family in my ward heard that my hubby was coming home for a short time and offered an extra bedroom they have for us to stay in. An we took up on their offer. it was fun. Jenni is a stay at home mom and John works construction and is going back to school to get his RN. we had a lot of fun with them and i am so grateful for the kindness and love they showed us.
The day Ivan and I had to say "bye" again was the first day of my finals. WOW tough day!!!
but i finished and passed all my classes with GREAT grades. and i went to Mesa for the next 3 weeks before my summer session began on June 1. and it was June 12th that I was able to see Ivan again. 6 weeks is a lot shorter than 13 but it still felt like forever.
And again i stayed with someone from Ivan's ward. we seem to find the amazing people who don't mind letting a stranger stay in their home.
that weekend was short but very much needed.
I finished my summer class, Oral Pathology and I got an A!!!!!!
and this weekend, July 4th 2009 Ivan gets to come home to our new apartment for the first time. I can't wait. maybe now it will feel like a home!!!!!
Now I think i got the last six months all caught up fffeeewww!

Making of the blog

Wow! I am not very computer savvy!
Sadie was hanging out with me this last weekend and we were looking through a bunch of friends blogs so I decided I should make one.
I am not going to be any good.
set up is hard enough for me LOL!!!!!
So if any one has any feedback on how or where i get cute fun blog layout let me know Please!
This is going to be fun. I am really excited to have a blog. I guess i have now fallen into the newly married couple routine :-)
Well here I go!