Est. 2010

I  have decided that although i know all of you are enjoying reading "Through Rose Colored Glasses", every once in a while you might also enjoy hearing about Caleb and I, and how our lives are going. It is for that purpose that i have created this blog: to tell you how "The Barthlome Family" is doing. In our busy lives it is hard to find the time to call someone up and chat, just to see how they are doing and what is up with their lives. But we want all of you to know that we love you and care about how things are going for you! I know blogs are a big thing right now, so maybe instead of me txting news to everyone all the time, i could write it in one simple blog entry, and everyone could then read about it during a time that is convenient for them! I really think i am excellent at txting people just at the moments that they REALLY don't have time to talk...or calling them just as they are running out the door, or going to sleep. So maybe, just maybe, this will be the better route for me to take.

You all already know the story of us, but indulge me, let me give you the brief synopsis for the sake of making this entry interesting. It really drives me insane when things i write don't all tie in together! - We met our freshman year of highschool, in the year 2004. We were both preoccupied with other things and other people, so it wasn't until 2007 that we began dating. We had our ups and our downs.... but we made it. Finally in March of 2010 we established our family, and became the Barthlome's! Monday will be the 6 month anniversary of our wedding. We have absolutely no plans, because we have absolutely no money! But although we have a shortage of funds, i will honestly say that marriage has been wonderful. i understand why people say that marriage is hard... and i'm sure it gets harder as it goes along. But so far marriage has suited us...and we haven't really had any problems. Because of our personalities, we dont' fight very much. if there is a problem, we fix it fast, and then kiss, make up, and move on. Caleb and I are currently residing in Mesa, Arizona....right on the border with Tempe. It is hot and dusty, and everyone drives like maniacs. We have been told that is because it is so easy to get your drivers license here (let me tell you...that really wasn't a comforting thing for me to hear). I am terrified of driving on the very complex freeways... and i have not even driven on them yet. We have not had the chance to make any new friends here yet, but we are ok with that. We are both busy, and don't have much spare time to hang out with people anymore, or money to go out and do stuff. We have found our way into a every day cycle that keeps us sane and happy. I have my facebook time, and Caleb has his gaming time. Then we have our together time. We work it in around all the other stuff such as school and work, and all that other tedious stuff. That way we don't get tired of eachother, but we're not lonely. It gives a little variety to our day. We moved down here so that Caleb could go to the school of his dreams: The University of Advancing Technology. It is in Tempe, about 10-15 minutes away from us. I will honestly say that it is the geekiest school i have ever seen. The second you step foot in the doors you are in the land of technology lovers. i swear every person in that school sings "I love technology..." just like Kip in Napoleon Dynamite. But as miserable as i would be in a school like that, it is perfect for Caleb. He loves it, and couldn't be happier anywhere else. While he is going to school, i am attempting to be a good little house wife and keep our home a "home" instead of an old smelly apartment (and i say smelly because it really does smell like smoke!). I am also working at a Walmart here, that is 10-15 minutes away from us, straight down a main road. I have only been there about a week, and so far its exhausting. But i won't complain about that, because i have already done that this week in my other blog. If you would like to know more about that, please refer to that. I am working in Apparel. I started out in Infants (which i was completely LOVING because it was so fun and i love babies with all their cute stuff!), but the last few days they have had me in Ladies (which i don't like as much, because it gets the most trashed, and there is soooo much stuff that i spend the majority of the time wandering around trying to remember where certain stuff goes). But a job is a job. and like i said, i have already done my fair share of complaining about it this week, so i will end this topic here. We are members of the Dobson Ward in the Mesa Arizona West Stake. So far we really like it. Our Bishop is very kind, and the ward members are very welcoming. We miss home alot, well me, more than Caleb. He is loving every part of being down here, while I desperately miss Idaho, my family, his family, and our friends. Our good friend Keisha just moved down here, but it is hard to see her because she has a new boyfriend that she is very much in love with, and would like to give all her spare time to. Of course she has every right to do that, and if i was in her situation i would probably do that same. We are trying to plan a trip home to visit everyone the beginning of January. Caleb has a break between semesters from the 17th of December to the 10th of January. I am not allowed to take time off from Thanksgiving to New Years, so we are hoping i can get time off after the 1st. I really want to see my sister, who is going to be having a baby in April! She is due Easter, and i would really like to see her at some point before the baby is born. She has been really sick, and had to get an IV because she couldn't hold anything down and was getting really dehydrated. I wish that i could be there to give her a hug! But i guess i just have to be grateful Jessica is there and can give her sister hugs! Melinda and Mitchell are very excited about their little bundle of love that is coming, and my parents are ecstatic about becoming grandparents! Caleb's family is the usual mess of drama. We love them... but i think its really starting to get old. You don't need to take each other back to court over every little disagreement. There are more mature ways of handling it. It makes me sad to see his sweet sisters get dragged into so much! Deanna works hard to support her family, and has to waste countless dollars going to court about ridiculous stuff, while Greg is so distracted by his new girlfriend, that he doesn't even see that his actions are tearing his family apart even more. Sometimes i wonder if he really doesn't realize how valuable your child's love and respect is..... because right now he is in the process of loosing some of his children's respect, and it is sad to have to watch. I used to spend so much time just hoping and praying that Caleb would be on good terms with his mother again...and now that he is, he is no longer on good terms with his father. Its hard to watch.... but i guess sometimes i just have to remind myself "you can't win them all!" Watching the struggles Caleb has with his parents just makes me incredibly thankful for the wonderful parents i was given. I feel so lucky to have all the the blessings i have been given in life. When i think about it, i realize that i have everything i would ever need to truly be happy. i have a wonderful husband, who is my best friend, and supportive friends and family. I have the best life for me, and I know our future together is bright. It is fun to look back and see all of the changes that 2010 has brought us so far.... it was our beginning of being us, and it has already changed so much since then. Everyone says the first year of marriage is the hardest, and it is weird to think we are already half way to there. It has gone by in a flash. We are both looking forward to the rest of it, and can't wait to see what life has in store for us!