It's my favorite time of the year again! And I can't even believe how fast this year has gone by. We just recently passed the one year mark from the day Jake asked me to marry him. I'll never forget the feeling of being on top of that mountain with my handsome man down on one knee with that big shiny ring, shaking and saying those five words I had been dying to hear. Time has gone by so fast and so many things have happened since!
- We got married on March 10
- Finished the year at SUU in May
- Jake was super sick and in the hospital in May....(worst few weeks of my life)
- We moved back home shortly after, then into our lovely house we have now!
- Got our sweet pup Lucy....yes, she is our baby.
- Worked our bums off all summer (two jobs each)
- Started school again at Dixie State
- I got my amazing MA job!
- Finished another semester of college (finals just finished, we barely survived..)
I'm sure there are plenty of things I forgot. It's been a hectic, fulfilling, and great year! We've already been through so much in our 9 months of marriage (9 months, really!?) Time is just going by too fast.
Life has been so good lately. It's been stressful and yes, sometimes I feel like I'm going to explode but luckily for me I have my dear husband who keeps me calm and reminds me to have an eternal perspective. I won't lie, life is good when you know what the plan is! Lately I've been doing some thinking. Maybe some soul searching, maybe some digging deep down inside, whatever you want to call it. The last few weeks I've been especially trying to focus on that eternal perspective. Since it's all too easy to get caught up in the ways of the world, we've been communicating and praying for the guidance we need. I've probably said it a hundred times but I'm so glad I get to have the priesthood in my home, and Jake is SUCH an amazing priesthood holder. I'm not sure if I've ever seen someone so dedicated and faithful to what he knows is his most important calling. He's an amazing husband, head of our household, and I know he'll be an amazing dad someday. I know I don't thank him enough for all he does for us, and I know that he isn't even aware of all the amazing things he does everyday.
Another thing I've realized this year is how important my relationship with my parents is. I've always been close with them, but especially since I got married we have become even closer. They still do so much for me and I will never be able to thank them enough. Love you Mom and Dad.
Over Thanksgiving break my dad, my aunt and I were finally able to do my Grandma's temple work. She passed away in February 2011 and we've been waiting anxiously to be able to get the work done. (Don't tell my Grandpa! haha) It was such a beautiful experience and I could feel her spirit so strongly. I was extremely close with my Grandma, she was my very best friend and I couldn't have been happier. She was finally able to do what she has been waiting for. The temple is such an amazing and peaceful place, everytime I go I just have to sit in awe of how perfect it is inside that big white building. Jake and I make an effort to go at least once every month and it is so worth it.
Lately, we've been really busy. Some days Jake and I don't even get to see eachother until bed time. Since we both work, we had to take night classes which made it near impossible to spend any time together, so we made a priority that every Friday night would be our 'date night.' It might seem silly, but it is the BEST DECISION we've made lately! It makes a huge difference when we actually set aside time and call it a date. No matter what we do. Sometimes we go to dinner and a movie, dinner and get a redbox, go get frozen yogurt, drive around and do nothing, make dinner at home and go shopping, whatever it is it seems like as long as we call it a date it feels so much better. We get to unwind after a hard week and talk for hours. It has made such a positive impact on our marriage.
We were also able to get some fall pictures done recently. Of course, we had Jostlyn Stilson with Roz Photography do them. She is amazing and has become a good friend as well! We love the way she takes our pictures. She's creative and so sweet, and never disappoints! And yes, we even brought Lucy to be in our pictures. She's our baby! For now ;)
