Sunday, December 2, 2012

.Comfort.

This last month has been a bit challenging.  It included a bike wreck and some devastating disappointments all while trying to manage school and work.  There was one night that I was ready to drop everything.  During all of this, I never had any big magical experiences that made everything better or easier but I have had little moments of comfort that have helped me get through it.  Being at church and hearing talks that were for me, family scripture study and prayer, a compassionate professor extending a deadline and family who completely understood what I was going through.
Brady and Milly cat
B and I at the rainy Anderson reunion


We were also able to have some really fun times during this month.  We had a great Thanksgiving at Brady's house with his parents and siblings and then took off to St. George with Jami and Sam!  Some of my favorite things about the trip were having tons of time to read some books, late night walks and talks with my sister, cuddling and playing with Addi, watching all three Lord of the Rings and playing lots of games.  I sure love my sister and was so appreciative that they dropped everything to help me in my healing process.  I am grateful for comfort.




As much beard as B could stand for no shave November

Monday, October 15, 2012

.Unbelievably Busy.


HAPPY OCTOBER

    Wait.. what?!? Woah! Can time slow down please? I cannot believe it is already October! Last I remember I was accepting a job offer with the University and deciding that I was going to do my Masters.

     Life really has been a whirlwind. With B filling out secondary applications then going around the nation for interviews and me working over 40 hours a week and trying to stay up to date with school... we have had little time together.  Days where I leave home at 4:00 AM to make it to a school in Alpine, spend a couple days out there and come home just in time to see Brady running out the door to make it to the airport to fly away to an interview, are NOT uncommon lately.  These past couple months have stretched and exhausted us but it has made us appreciate the time we do have together so much more!

I really have loved my schooling, I have learned more in my couple months of grad school than I have in my entire undergrad.  But I have probably worked harder in these past couple months than I have in my ENTIRE life!  I may be a little unmotivated as well and when I have less time to do more work, that doesn't help me either. I absolutely love my job though! It is so rewarding talking to the high school students and helping them make the BEST decision of their life (to become an AGGIE). I always tell people if I was doing one or the other I would enjoy it so much more... but the combination of both is a bit taxing (get it... acct joke!)

Even though life is so busy we have had time to enjoy ourselves... here are a few things that we have had fun doing.

.Brady's 1/2 Birthday.


.silly string fight for my B-DAY.

.Milly on the throne Brady made her.
.USU vs Utah... best game
EVER!.

... the clip of me and B on ESPN!! We come in around 1:55 and it was the best 56 seconds of my life!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o3WWS320akQ

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

.Boating.

 Boating is my favorite thing to do in the summer.My dad's boat was given to him from his dad and has made it through a lot. Every summer we cross our fingers that the engine will start up a again, and it hasn't failed us yet. I remember as a little girl closing my eyes as Dad zoomed across the lake, feeling the water droplets on my sun baked skin and knowing that this is what heaven would feel like.


 When I met B and found out he loved the lake just as much as I did, I knew it was meant to be :) I love watching B ski and wake board almost as much as I love being out there myself, he is SO good! We went out for an early run on Saturday for the first time ALL year!
                                                                  !It was INCREDIBLE!
 I was a little nervous I wouldn't be able to get up on one ski but I did it on my FIRST TRY! (no one needs  to know it was the easy up ski) Can't wait to get out a couple more times before the summer is over! 
-Sweet Board Grab by B-Man-

Sunday, July 29, 2012

.Summer Happenings.


This Summer has FLOWN by! I have loved being able to spend all of it with Brady, even though I do miss hiking up Machu Pichu and petting baby llamas, it is great to be in Utah. We have been able to go on a few fun vacations and trips. One night we decided to go find a spot up in the canyon for a fun sporadic camping trip. We found a GORGEOUS spot right by the river and had fun playing cards and snacking on yummy treats. We had some more fun making hobo dinners and making too many s'mores with our good friends the Riley's.

We were also able to go to Lake Tahoe with my side of the family. We spent our time playing corn hole, repelling from the loft and taking polar bear swims in the lake. I loved making origami sail boats with the kids and having races. The hot attraction was playing four square. Brad originally drew the arena to keep the kids busy but it ended up being fought over by the adults too. We had some intense rounds and there would always be a line to be the next in line to play. Since Brad is now in Michigan and Sean and Mak in Reno (now in Dallas) it's a rare and riotous time when we can all get together so we cherish every minute of it!
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-Mak.Taylee.Brad.Henna.Me-
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-Gorgeous Lake Taho... Couldn't Resist-

Next destination was Durango for Brady's family vacation. We were in a ski lodge with an incredible mountain in our back yard that we would hike daily. It was similar to Park City with an alpine slide and the fun mega jump trampolines. We were on a new adventure every day hiking down to the Indian ruins in Mesa Verde and dancing in the Street after the 4th of July parade. Since fireworks were banned in CO due to the fire hazard we played with hundreds, not exaggerating, HUNDREDS of glow sticks! Brady even got his fill of Ticket to Ride pulling the game out every second he could. 
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-B and Me at the Indian Ruins- 
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-Brady and AJ getting their read on-
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-Lincoln and Tate-





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Brady after he flew off the Alpine slide. He got pretty scratched up. 
We have loved every minute of this summer and are a little sad to only have one month left but we are going to make the most of it!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

.Graduation.

After three years of lots of play and some hard work I graduated USU! It was very bitter sweet. I have loved my time at Utah State. Loved the amazing Aggies I have met, the late nights in the library and the crazy adventures all over campus. 


However, after much prayer and discussion I have decided to go back to get my masters in accounting so I guess I don't need to get too sentimental. I'm excited and nervous to get into the graduate school but it feels right so I will just jump into and start breathing again when I'm done. I will also be working for the admissions office as a Recruitment Specialist full time as well. I'm excited to find those that are looking for the Aggie experience and will have as an amazing experience as I did.  This job will take me on the road a lot, which will make this accelerated graduate program a bit difficult but I've never been afraid of a challenge. So goodbye undergraduate school and hello crazy graduate program.

FOREVER AN AGGIE!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The One Who Does


When B and I were dating I noticed something about B that set him apart from everyone else. He did what he said he would do! No matter what it was, he would allows follow through! Even crazy outrageous promises he would make me he would somehow find a way to make it happen. After knowing me a two weeks he drove up to Logan, picked me up for a date in Layton and drove me home again, all because he said he would! Love it!
Recently, I asked him if he would start making dinner once a week. He said he would and dinner he made! I came home to stir-fry on the stove and the rice in the cooker. Unfortunately, there was a little mishap...





He left the recipe book in the bottom of the rice cooker and we finally realized this after the entire house started smelling like smoke! Besides this, the dinner was delicious! I am so thankful for his help. Especially since this semester has been crazy, for both of us!
Brady works 12 hours a week volunteers for 8 hours on Wednesdays, starting to do research for 4 hours a week and is going to school full time! On top of this he is always throwing in the laundry, leaving cute notes, planning fun dates and studying 20+ hours a week for the MCAT.  I am also working between 35 to 40 hours, taking 18 credits and trying to balance University and Quiggley Ambassadors, while feeding the B man and keeping our house from always looking like a tornado. So we will keep on keepin on and try and find joy in the little things, like Brady almost burning down the house. It is almost the weekend which means loads of studying and then when we are done, we get to PARTY! Can't wait!

p.s. Brady and I have been married a year! Brady planned the perfect anniversary retreat! It started out with a surprise invitation to take off, just the two of us! The balloons are familiar huh?


We went to the GORGEOUS Little America Hotel. I had never been and I loved it! We spent time reading our books, swimming in the indoor/outdoor pool, and eating treats while watching movies!
Our cake stayed beautiful! Thanks cousin Shelley! We loved it! So fun to remember that perfect day!
We were also able to grab dinner and yummy hot chocolate with our anniversary buddies! These guys are so fun to be with and we are so lucky to be able to share anniversaries.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Favorites of 2011

Wow that year went fast! It honestly feels like we were just engaged and planning the wedding. Now our first year of marriage has come and past faster then blinking. When B and I were talking we reminisced on some of our favorites of the past year. Here are some that made the list:

1. GETTING MARRIED!
We had a tough time getting there. When we were dating all I wanted to do was postpone postpone postpone and then the second I got a ring everything changed and Brady was the one who started getting stressed. So when we finally made it to the Celestial room, there was a sigh of relief from everyone. It was the best decision we made all year and will probably be the best one we made our entire lives.

2. CALIFORNIA
Although we didn't make half of what we wanted to this summer, our relationship grew immensely. Every morning we would pull on the swim suits, grab the goggles, music and towels and head to the pool. We loved doing laps and then racing and dunking each other over and over again. Then B would go to work and I would spend the day crafting or getting a special dinner ready for him. We loved being in a new place and having our own little adventure.

3. Crazy Schedules
Although we are reluctant to admit it, are crazy schedules have been a fun memory. Our first semester together I got a job at the gym on campus. I would work in the mornings at 5 to 10 then go to school the rest of the day. Cute Brady would wake up with me and drive me to work even though he didn't have to be there until later. And the nights I would have to close at 11 p.m., he would always come and grab a basketball and play until I was done so I wouldn't have to go home alone. He is a sweetie!

4. Grandma
Living at Grandmas house has been such a blessing. We worked hard to make this little place our own and grandma has been so patient with us. She is always inviting us to eat things from her garden. She has taught us how to make things last and to not take anything for granted.

5. Our Families
We have been blessed with such great families! They are so great that we sometimes have a hard time deciding where to spend our time. Even though it gets hard sometimes, we love when we are with them! We have had so much fun playing games, making movies and having fun retreats with them. I was able to go to park city for a fun webb girl weekend and brady went paintballing for the man trip. We also went to St. George with the Webbs for a fun end of summer get away and we went to Reno for Thanksgiving with the Andersons. We would not be where we are today if it weren't for our families and we are thrilled we get to spend eternity with them!

So good-bye 2011 and hello 2012! We know that you will bring more adventures and memories!
HAPPY belated NEW YEAR!