Around the Corner

We're moving!!! Yep, you guessed it. Pretty much around the corner. We found an apartment in our ward that has about 250 more square feet than our current space and is about $120 cheaper! We're excited about the implications of saving there AND getting more space. ESPECIALLY storage place. The new place is really going to be great. With that being said, I am really going to miss this place...

It was so crazy to try and find a place to live while we were engaged for after we were married. Of course, looking kinda last minute doesn't really help. We were scrounging town. Our options were NOT good. We even had to consider a studio apartment... Looking back, SO glad that didn't work out, there's NO WAY we would have fit!!! I even resorted to looking into long-term stays at hotels... In a last ditch effort, I checked the website for the landlord in a last ditch effort and found our home. They had JUST posted it... and it was perfect! Jake rushed over to look at it, filled out the application and we had a place a few days later. When I finally got to see it, I was SO surprised. This apartment is GORGEOUS for Logan. It had just been remodeled right before we moved in. I was SO grateful and SO happy!
                                     

Okay, first of all, I LOVED the idea that Jake and I would FINALLY be living together in this place! Second, I LOVE the dark brown accent wall in the living room as soon as you walk in. It made the place SO cute!!! I LOVED getting to decorate and make it a home for us. :) Jake's massive couch really didn't fit all that great, we had to half it, but it worked out in the end. 

To your right, you walk into our kitchen. The pic doesn't really do it justice, it's bigger than this looks, but at the same time, not huge. I loved having lots of cubbard space, it was perfect for our needs. However, the way it was set up was a little awkward, especially to unload the dishwasher. I made many a fantastic meal in this kitchen, but I won't miss having just one counter to prep food on! Haha. 

About the year before we were married, I was OBSESSED with all things Chef-themed. I thought they were adorable! I think I got burnt out because I'm not as into it now. I bought SO much stuff and was subsequently given a ton more for my bridal shower, I ended up giving 3/4 of it away... I felt so bad and pretty sad about it, but we simply didn't have space and I felt like it would be overkill. 

Fridge! Check out the chef stuff on the top. :) My Mom gave me a chalk menu-board a couple years ago for Christmas and finally made itself useful! I meal plan all the time and plan my grocery lists of it. It's been a fantastic tool for us to stick to what we buy.  

Just more chef decor, but had a practical purpose in hanging our aprons... So it stayed. :)

This decor was displayed at our wedding. I really have no idea where it came from, but it made it into our stack of stuff after the wedding. It's one of the first things that greets you when you walk in the door. I love it.

Here's our front door and other part of the living room. The three pics you see are the mats we had signed at our wedding by our guests. I love to stand there and peruse them once in a while, its a good reminder of all the love we are surrounded with by our family and friends. I am so so grateful for this little tender mercy.

T.V.! We spend way too much time at it... I really love the clock above. That was a really generous gift from some of Jake's extended family, we were so surprised when we opened it, but its definitely one of our favorites.

These items are the top fav's from our wedding gifts. I love Willow Tree items-- Jake's sister and her fiance gave it to us, so super perfect! The plaque was from Jake's cousin that gives scriptural references for bits of marriage wisdom. I love it so much, we are so grateful!

Master bedroom. Love it so much. My parents bought the bed and frame for me when I graduated with my Bachelor's. It originated as a light wood color, which I never really loved. I tried working on re-finishing it to the darker wood, but it was an exhausting and frustrating project. My dad came to my rescue before the wedding and finished it off for us. He even accrued a scar across his forehead for me to do it. Best dad. So grateful for his help.

 

My dresser

Bathroom!

All in all, really great memories in this place. I've loved living here, I'm going to miss it, but I know this move is the best thing for us right now. I'm looking forward to the adventures our new place will bring, but will always cherish the memories we've made here. 

My Best Friend's Wedding

Megan has been my best friend since Fall 2008. We met in our Single's Ward one Sunday because I noticed her cute shoes (stiletto's... my fav!) We've been through so much, individually and collectively. We basically bonded instantly through experiences we each had gone through in our lives up to that point. It was (and is!) ridiculous how similar we were. And we were in the same program at Utah State. We became inseparable. We'd crash on each other's couches, pull all-nighters finishing papers and getting into all sorts of trouble. She was, and still is, my partner in crime! We have the kind of friendship that doesn't change with time or distance. Megan ended up going to Boise State for grad school after we graduated at Utah State. I had the opportunity to go visit her and it was if we had never been apart. We love to laugh hysterically, make weird faces and talk endlessly. She understands the way I think, because its exactly like the way she thinks! 

Megan met Stephen about a year ago, shortly after moving to a small town in Eastern Utah called Roosevelt. They dated for about 7 months before they finally made the decision to get married. I was so excited for them! They were married in the St. George temple this past weekend and we were able to join them for the festivities. It was so amazing to see them so happy and at peace. :)

Jake and I waited for them along with some of their family members outside the temple. It was SUCH a beautiful day! The weather was SO warm and there wasn't a stitch of wind in the air. Their videographer was super charismatic and their photographer gave good directions for everyone involved, it really expedited the picture taking. It was fun getting to stand behind them and make faces at her to help with the "fake laugh" game.

About two hours later, we headed across town for the wedding luncheon. The place was absolutely gorgeous!!! I LOVED the drapery across the ceiling, leading to a gorgeous chandelier. It was a breath-taking sight! The wedding colors were teal blue and coral pink. Such a classic, vintage look! They placed Jones soda's at each place-setting that had been individualized with one of their engagement pictures on it. Such a cute idea! The food was absolutely delicious and it was so fun to hear everyone poke loving jabs at the newlyweds. :)

That evening, they held a small reception in a quaint alumni house in Cedar City. I LOVED the decor! Again, very vintage, yet colorful and fun! I just had to spend a few minutes running around snapping pics. We got to visit with the happy couple for a few extended moments, which was so nice. Usually you're rushed through greeting lines, so it was nice to have a few extra seconds to visit. It was amazing to connect with them, to see their smiles and the light in their eyes. The food was delicious! They served little turkey and cheese sandwiches with a lime-cilantro dressing and a vegetable cup with ranch dressing. For dessert, cheesecake and chocolate sauce. (So Megan!) 

Megan came and sought me out at the end of the reception to thank me for staying the whole time. That was so sweet of her. Of course, I wouldn't have had it any other way. It broke my heart to be unable to attend her shower due to work. I loved seeing her so happy and sharing in some small way in her special day. 

The next day, after much deliberation, trial and error, we found a Sacrament meeting to attend. Afterwards, we hit the road. Jake had never been to Arizona, so we drove the 16 miles to the border for a quick pic!

                                   

All in all, a wonderfully spent weekend. So fun, so special. Love Megan, so excited for her and Stephen. I can't wait to see what life has in store for them!

Coming Home

I dunno why but as soon as I sat down to write this, the following song came to mind:

"I'm comin' home

I'm comin home

Tell the world that I'm comin home..."

                                       .......So, there's that. :) But in all seriousness, I have some of the best news ever!!!!

My younger brother (can't call him "little brother" anymore, multiple reasons to be explained later) came home from his LDS mission, serving the Lord in Bangalore, India! He was there for two years, which is really hard to believe. In some ways, it seems like he just left. In others, its been AGES since I've seen him!!! 

If you know anything about my relationship with Brent, you know that we were pretty much inseparable growing up. When we were really young... well, scratch that... all growing up (before I left for college), we'd have periodic sleepovers in my room. I had a love-hate relationship with that. I remember one night, he was on the top of a bunk bed and had brought some kind of treat to bed on a small plate. He finished his munching and went to drop the plate on the floor, but it careened right into my favorite music-playing snow globe, shattering the glass to pieces. I was pretty livid. I may or may not have thrown him out of my room that night.... On the other hand, I LOVED nights like Christmas Eve where we were so excited, we couldn't sleep, so we'd sneak into each other's rooms and guess what we might receive the following morning. 

Brent has seen me through all phases of my life. My mom worked a bit while we were pretty young and I kind of automatically assumed the role of surrogate mother. I taught him to color (yelling at him to stay inside the lines, otherwise he was "wasting the crayon..." I'd get him ready for school, pick him up after class, walk him home, maybe get him a snack, help with homework and SCREAM at him to do his part of the massive chore list awaiting our return... (Ugh... HATED those lists... but there they were...) Its really crazy to think of how we ever became so close considering how bad our screaming fits could get. It shocks me I was capable of that at such a young age... Hoping I grew out of it. (I think my chances are pretty good since I haven't screamed at anyone since...) Brent has been my rock through really trying times where I didn't really know who I was or what I wanted from life or the eternities. He never judged, he just listened and loved. He was my partner in crime, my "court jester", my best friend. It was really hard for me when he left. I knew in my heart of hearts, this was the right thing for him and it would hold so much growth and change, but it didn't make it any easier emotionally. 

He was an amazing missionary. It doesn't feel appropriate to get into the nitty gritty, but seriously, he was amazing. Such an incredible example of strength, patience, faith and positivity ALL throughout his mission. Our family has received countless blessings from his service and example. Some much needed lessons I hope will help us all grow closer. 

Brent was scheduled to come home on Saturday, March 1st. He made it from India to Germany to Denver, CO, when his last leg of his flight was cancelled due to weather. My heart panicked at the thought of him being stranded. I've always been protective, I think I always will be. Long story short, we were blessed with the miracle of my brother Alan being in the airport at the same time and we received permission from our stake president for the three travelling missionaries to stay at Alan's for the night, awaiting their final flight the following day. I felt such overwhelming peace and gratitude for such a tender mercy for these dog-tired missionaries, especially my little "Bwenny Wennies." 

I didn't get much out of church to be completely honest. I kept glancing at the flight tracker, apprehensive that his flight would again be delayed or cancelled. To everyone's great relief and excitement, he made it on the plane and on his way home. 

This was the first pic I got of him booking it down the causeway. He literally broke into a super fast walk as soon as he came into view. We could hear him laughing the whole way down. :) 

He went straight to my Mom. He didn't even see the banner I had made to welcome him home, he was so focused on her. (She's lost a TON of weight since she left. He just kept saying, "You're so skinny! You're so skinny!")

Brent hugging one of my nieces, whose name I prefer to keep confidential. She was so excited, it was adorable. She actually ran to meet him across the hall, but he didn't even realize it was her. Haha! 

I didn't get any pictures after that, he made his rounds hugging people. When he came to me, I felt like I couldn't hug him tight enough!!! It was such a perfect moment. He immediately said, "I missed you so much." I couldn't help but cry. HOWEVER, I was proud of myself. I mostly kept it together! I was anticipating crying a lot more than I did, but oh well! Haha. 

The rest of the day we spent as a partial family, Alan's family in Denver, Aaron's sick with the "dread gombu" (as my Mom calls it.) He was released about two hours after getting home and we had a wonderful meal by my mom. He was so confused by the use of utensils again, it gave us all a good laugh. 

That evening, he broke out some of the treasures he brought back from India. Unfortunately, being so tired and travelling so far, he forgot one of his carry-on's in Germany with most of the goodies. :( We're all hoping to recover it quickly. He had purchased an authentic Saree for me for a wedding gift, which he had on hand. It is so beautiful! I need to figure out how to wear and tie it properly, but that will be a fun adventure! Amidst the fun, he donned an authentic tunic and pants with matching shoes. I can't remember the name of them... but a very fitting look for him! 

The shoes remind me of Aladdin. :)

All in all, SUCH a great weekend. SO grateful for his safe return, for the light he brings into our home. I am so grateful for the man he's become, the testimony that emanates from him everywhere he goes. Just being around him, I feel uplifted and blessed. I wish there were adequate words to express how I feel about him and just how grateful I am to have such an amazing person for my little brother. He will always and forever hold a very special place in my heart. Love him.

Here is an excerpt from the last e-mail I sent to him in the field that I think best encapsulates how I feel:

"Today I was overwhelmed by how much I love you. You mean the absolute world to me. I sometimes think of what it will be like to watch you grow older, to see you pursue your hopes and dreams. My heart just swells with love and adoration thinking of seeing you after long periods of time apart, maybe on a holiday or something, seeing how much you've grown and changed. I feel so proud of you in those thoughts, seeing the way you challenge and overcome hardships. I think back to our childhood years, remembering playing with your castle and pirate ship or the funny Lord of the Rings parody you made with Mark... How you were so young, so full of life, and how that liveliness has only carried through to who you are now... I picture you as a father, little kids climbing on your lap, begging for your attention, pleading, "Daddy, daddy..." and I just imagine sitting there, soaking in the view with a smile on my face, almost in disbelief that you're the same kid that loved to build forts and drink chocolate milk. I pray that no matter what happens in our lives or where we are that we will find a way to stay close always. I can't imagine my life without you. I love you so so much."