One more guilty pleasure...

My besties. As in, Gretel, Marisa, Arianne, Lizzie, Melody, Ginnie, Jared, and, of course, mom.

As if you wanted to hear more about my husband...

Too bad. He's playing video games & a friend sent me the following survey, which I shall do & possibly erase later before I make this blog a book/begin a new blog. Possibly.



Spouse Survey
Come on, play along - inquiring minds want to know! ;-). Copy this and paste it to your notes/blog. Erase my answers, put yours, tag your friends and publish.

♥ How long have you been together?
We dated in 2007, got engaged Jan 2008, and were married May 2008. I can't believe how fast time has flown since then.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Hmm. I asked him out on our first date & we kinda dated/were friends from there. It was all very confusing, you see (at least to me). Something which I still tease Jared about. How I stalked/beat him into submission/into marrying me. Now he's stuck...mwahahahaha. >;)

♥ Who asked who out?
I asked him out. I was going on a one date a month thing.

♥ How old are each of you?
I'm turning 29 soon (accck!) & J just turned 25 this summer. According to the oh-so-accurate Facebook quiz, though, my REAL age is 25. So there. :P

♥ Did you go to the same school?
Uh, we both went to BYU for at least one semester, but not at the same time. Otherwise, no.

♥ Who is the smartest?
Jared

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
Me, by a longshot.

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
we love mexican, thai & italian.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Colorado (holla, Melody!)

♥ Who has the craziest exes?
Definitely Jared. He wins by default, because I simply HAVE no exes. Ha!

♥ Who has the worst temper?
Definitely me.

♥ Who does the cooking?
Me, and I have to say most of the time I'm not as bad as I thought I would be. I still prefer baking, though.

♥ Who is more social?
I am.

♥ Who is the neat-freak?
I am.

♥ Who is the most stubborn?
It would seem like I am, but Jared is pretty stubborn, albeit in a quiet way...

♥ Who hogs the bed?
Oh Jared. He has gotten hurt feelings because apparently when he elbows me in the face & I speak to him about it in the middle of the night, I am actually yelling. Whoops.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
Me, but only because my stupid body doesn't sleep deeply or well most of the time.

♥ Where was your first date?
Maggiano's.

♥ Who has the bigger family?
Immediate family - Jared. Extended family - me, hands down. (Thanks, Great-great grandma Lyddie, for having 21 kids...)

♥ Do you get flowers often?
Not really, but that's ok. He gives me lots of love notes.

♥ How do you spend the holidays?
It's hard, because our families live in the exact same town & want us both there at the same times. We're trying to strike a balance, but finding it difficult. When we have kids, I'm all for moving somewhere else & making people come to us. We'll see how that works out. ;)

♥ Who is more jealous?
Neither of us have a jealous streak.

♥ How long did it take to get serious?
I guess several months? Although it was fast from official we're-only-dating-each-other to engagement - try two weeks.

♥ Who eats more?
Jared

♥ Who does/did the laundry?
Ugh. I do. Jared goes through more laundry than anyone I've ever known. But, then again, he DOES work out everyday, so I'd rather his stinky workout clothes be non-stinky...hmm...

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
me, but only because of all my jobs & the requirements of each.

♥ Who drives when you are together?
We take turns. It depends if we want to be somewhere on time/early or not. If we do, I drive. If we want to relax, Jared drives. ;)

Best-laid plans

I'm a planner. Always have been. I come by it naturally...just ask my mom. (We're a lot alike in that way - my mom & me.) In some ways it's served me well - for example, I've pretty much always had my bills in on time, I've been ready for exams when they came my way, & I've planned singles parties with the best of them (& had a great time doing so).

The plans...
This morning, I was thinking about the plans I made as a teenager. I was going to be thin, athletic & beautiful one day. I would grow up to be an editor, a doctor or a famous jazz singer. I would dazzle my professors at college, graduate, and then serve an honorable mission, converting many lost souls. I would come home, marry at 24, have 4 or 5 children, and then go back to work when the littlest began elementary school. All the meanwhile, I'd be an awesome scrapbooker, singer, pianist, sewer, baker, runner & all-around spiritual-yet-funny woman, who could relate to anyone. (Does this sound like a big goal? Slightly unrealistic, perhaps? You bet.)

The Reality...
In reality, my life has turned out so very different from what I planned. I struggled with my weight during high school & into the college years. I still - and perhaps always will - have a difficult time with body image in general (although what woman doesn't?). I have fought with depression on and off during my life. I did not serve a mission - no matter how much I prayed, it never seemed right. The answer was always no. I didn't dazzle my professors, but I did my best & graduated from both college & graduate school. I majored in English Education - a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) backup plan to editing or medical school (although I'm still looking for a good jazz vocalist gig). However, teaching middle school English was not for me in my mid-twenties, so even that backup plan went off-course. And hobbies? I am a mediocre scrapbooker, pianist & singer at best; I loathe running & I don't sew. (I do love baking, though.)

As for the marriage bit - well, getting married is still a surprise to me. After it was obvious that my plan to get married by 24 was not going to happen, I planned on being single for life. (It's not that I was downplaying my options, but it always seemed I was destined to go on one or two dates & that was it. Or I was the perpetual buddy/sidekick.) I stayed in the singles ward for 5+ years & finally decided enough was enough. I needed a change. It wasn't until I started attending a different ward & looked for opportunities to just befriend people that I met Jared & we became friends, then fell in love. (He wasn't even what I had pictured - he was quiet & young. I had planned on an older, extremely extroverted husband.) And sometimes I fear that I am too old to be starting a family - at least the big family I once planned on. I worry about potential problems & how I wanted a family of 5 & I'm already nearly 29, and not ready just yet.

So...?
The point is, my life has turned out so differently than what I had planned. And I'm thankful for that. Heavenly Father obviously knows me well and knew what was best for me at certain points in my life. While I'm sure I'd still be an okay person if all of my best-laid plans had come true, I have learned & gained so much from the experiences I've had. I've learned that the singles are an incredible force to be reckoned with. I truly love that group of people & am fiercely loyal to them. I've learned to sympathize with others who have weight problems. (It's always a struggle.) I've learned - truly - that beauty is more about friendship & laughter & what's inside a person than the outside appearance. (If anyone knows & understands that, I certainly do.) I've learned that in my darkest hours, which sometimes still appear, that Heavenly Father is there, waiting to listen. And more than anything, that the Savior truly lived & died & lives again - for me.

I've learned that you can roll with the punches, no matter what deck of cards life hands you, because of the foundation of the Gospel - and the peace it can bring you. I've learned that family & close friends are the true spice of life & make waking up each morning worth it. I've learned that there is much to be learned from each job, each success, each failure & each person that come into your life. And I've learned that the best love I found in this life began with an open, honest, & close friendship.

I thought my life would be good, when, in fact, it's so much better than I ever planned.

I am thankful, this morning, that my best-laid plans went awry.

Have I mentioned...

That I love my mom, my sister, my sister-in-law, & my husband?

I do.

Thanks for making me feel better, guys. I'll get over my hurt pride in a day or less (fingers crossed).

Feeling blessed

I have been posting random, non-news items lately because I really haven't had much going on. I started my new job a few weeks back & so far, it's okay. It's an admin job, so it's fine as far as those go. Jared started school & I'm slowly readjusting to life without him - he's present in body, but not much in mind/spirit. ;) I do like hearing him explain about Biology, up to a point. After that, I just start to feel dumb because it's stuff I have no experience with. (I've also learned that if I have a question for him, I need to get in his face - literally - to ask him, because he will otherwise have no memory of our conversation later. Better not to ask while he's studying in general - and he studies all the time.)

I love this area. It is so beautiful & for the first few days this week actually felt a little more like fall. I've been waking up to intense fog & remembering that I live in higher elevation now.

Jared got called to be the 1st counselor in the Elders' Quorum Presidency, which is a good thing, I think. It'll force him to get out & make more friends. I haven't gotten a calling yet, for which I'm actually grateful. (I have a sneaking suspicion that a music calling is down the road, which doesn't exactly thrill me, but I know that every ward needs music help. I just wish sometimes, I guess, that I could learn & be stretched in different ways than music all the time.)

I feel grateful today for all that I've been blessed with. The Gospel is such an incredibly strong force in my life, more than it has been in awhile. Some time ago, I was feeling ignored by God & hurt because of that, but even in that, I realized that the Atonement is for me. And there's something in that. I have always had such a strong, personal testimony of the Atonement & I am thankful for that blessing. It allows me to hold on to my testimony & remember why I go to church & do the things I do, even when I doubt in other areas.

I am so thankful for my incredible family. It is so neat to be friends with my parents & siblings & see them raise families of their own. I have such a fantastic heritage & I love learning about where my parents, grandparents, etc. came from. And with being married, I'm tied to equally great heritage, and I'm thankful for their examples too.

I am so grateful for Jared. I'm not even sure I can adequately express how much I love & appreciate him. It's still a surprise to me sometimes that I'm married, because I figured I was destined for a single life. He is such a positive influence on me - that man is so full of charity & service. He is my best friend & true partner in crime. We have so much fun together, and I hope that never stops.

I'm thankful for the opportunities I have to learn each day. I was thinking about that this morning & about how I need to cultivate that sort of attitude - not dreading the day (which is easy since I do not like the morning time) but looking forward to the challenges the day will bring. I'm working on it.

I know I'm rambling. I've just been feeling a little low & sorry for myself the past week or more, and today I have been blessed to, well, notice my blessings. :)

I am truly thankful for all I've been given.

Just in case I haven't been mooshy enough...

Jared's bday

Because of my trip to Wisconsin to see my sister & her family, Jared & I did his birthday one day before his actual bday, and I've just gotten around to posting the pics now. 

I love my silly, fun, positive & loving husband! 

Happy belated 25th, Jared!

(You keep me young!) :)

After a yummy, yummy dinner at Olive Garden. 

Yummm...pasta calories. Yes please.

Obligatory crazy face shot.

Tissue paper attacking the hubby.

Another crazy face whilst in traffic.

Obviously, we're made for each other...

And I fear for the future children, who will have the crazy faces too. Ah well. There are worse things...

;)

I love my husband...

He's just so fun & game for anything. Like wearing awesomely ridiculous Hokies paraphernalia...

Because I don't have enough things to do...

Thanks Robin, for letting me copy the post!

All about my husband...

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
Scrubs or some medical show (or sports if it's football season)

2. You're out to eat/what kind of dressing on his salad?
Hmm. Used to be thousand island - now it's something lighter, since he's trying to watch what he eats.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
He eats pretty much anything, even if he doesn't like it. 

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
Water

5. Where did he go to high school?
University HS in Orlando, FL

6. What size shoe does he wear?
Aggghhh...I don't remember.

7. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Turkey?

8. What would this person eat every day if he could?
Probably some sort of sweet, if it wasn't bad for you.

9. What is his favorite cereal?
Depends on the day. He likes the sugary stuff but also eats the healthy stuff too.

10. What would he never wear?
Pink things?

11. What is his favorite sports team?
He likes UCF  & Clemson football for sentimental reasons. He usually roots for the underdog in most sports.

12. Who did he vote for?
I think McCain but it took him forever to decide.

13. Who is his best friend?
Probably Joseph. Or me, hopefully!

14. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
He hates that I worry about everything. 

15. What is his heritage?
Cuban, Welsh

16. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
German Chocolate  - his favorite.

17.Did he play sports in high school?
Nope, he was a band geek.

18.What could he spend hours doing?
Playing pool or Wii with his brother/dad. Or exercising.

19.What is one talent he has?
He is seriously a talented musician. He taught himself to play the guitar & writes his own songs. He's also innately good with kids. (jealous)

20 What's his favorite color?

green?

Then & Now...

Snapped a few pictures before Sacrament meeting today. Thought it would be fun to compare them to about this time last year...

Then

Then

Now 

(I felt SO uncomfortable being in front of Jared...)

Now

(But I must say, I love my new dress! Shade is awesome!) :)

I love my family

Thanks to Scott, for providing these fun pictures back from Josh's b-day get-together in April. (Yeeesh, was it ever hot that day!) Only thing missing was Ginnie & Chad & Cam.

Happy Anniversary, J!

So a year ago, I wake up on my wedding day, and it's raining. I wake up today, exactly one year later, and...it's raining. What is it with us & rain? (Our wedding day, our honeymoon, get-aways...)

Actually, the sun has since come out, but I've been reflecting a lot on the past year. I feel so blessed to be married to Jared. (For the easily sickened, I might get mooshy, so feel free to skip this post.) He is such a positive influence in my life. He's so enthusiastic & positive & generous towards other people. He is laid-back & calming, & I totally appreciate that perspective. He is silly & goofy & fun, & I always enjoy being with him. And he is spiritual & service-oriented (in fact, he's out with the Elders Quorum right now, painting a house), & he truly is a good example to me of charity in action.

Everyday has felt like an anniversary day. He makes me feel so special, all the time. People ask me if I'm tired of Jared yet, & I can honestly say I'm not. We were good friends before we started dating, and now we just enjoy being together. He is my perfect partner in crime, and I can't imagine anyone else I'd walk through this crazy thing we called life with. 

I love you, Jared. Thanks for showing up to the temple a year ago. ;) I'm excited for the years to come!

Today...

I feel very appreciative of my husband. He's the best. He makes my heart happy, all the time. Love you, Jared!

I'm so blessed...

I love my husband. He's goofy, talented, smart, spiritual, & exactly the calming presence I need. I feel so blessed to be married to him.

(Let it be mentioned that one should NOT to go to Cracker Barrel for a Valentine's breakfast/brunch...but otherwise, I had a great V-day weekend where I felt spoiled, relaxed, loved & overwhelmed by just how great a companion I've got.)

I Love you, J.

I love family

Especially cutie-pie nephews. Who love food. :0)

Cute baby Sammy mashin' up his food...

And Santa Cameron stuffing his face with a mouth full of food!

Happy Bday Jared Part III

The last of the pictures.

I love him.

Playing with mom's Walmart glasses.

Checkin' out his chest hair in his new Hawaiian shirt.

Extreme close-up!