Provo-Sandy-Home

Nate and I met in Provo, we dated in Provo and  after we got married the first place we called home together was in Provo. We never thought, back when we married and moved into that beauty on Sumac, that we would stay very long. However, we called that place home for 19 months. 

And what a home it was. Provo, and that little apartment we called ours, became a new and beautiful home to us once we were married. Separately we'd lived in Provo for 5 (me) and 4 (him) years before beginning our life together. We'd done all the typical college Provo things-bowling, hiking the Y, late night food runs, dance parties, and dollar movies galore. We were both ready to be done with that Provo, but still needed to live in Provo. Luckily, we found our own little niche in Provo-one that involved city festivals and events, 4th of July festivities, walks to the temple, working out at the rec center, new (to us) restaurants, quieter grocery stores, neighborhood bike rides, and plenty of nights in watching movies instead of out on the town. We fell in love with Provo again.

Saturday the 12th Nate and I (with a LOT of help from my darling sister) cleaned that apartment on Sumac for the last time, returned the keys, hugged our angel landlady, quietly said goodbye and drove away. At the time I was tired and swollen and a little relieved to be done, but now, looking back I'm a little sad. That home was such a perfect one, a tender mercy in our life. Getting that home was one of the first times we as a couple had our prayers answered together. We spent countless hours there-sleeping, cooking, reading, relaxing, playing games, and talking. Most of my favorite memories of our first 19 months of marriage took place there, in the place we called home.

Life has a way of moving on though-and for us that doesn't always mean moving far. On December 1, Nate and I moved into a wonderful new apartment in Sandy. The apartment itself is beautiful with even more windows then our last, big open space, and my favorite feature-a  bedroom perfect for a baby boy. The real beauty though is that it is in Sandy-the city where the rest of our story took place.

When Nate and I had only been dating a month, I graduated. Not knowing what was next in my life I moved back into my parents home in Sandy-where I stayed for the next 10 months until we were married. Nate and I dated in Sandy. We first said "I love you" in Sandy. We toasted (with sparkling cider) our engagement in Sandy, and got married just minutes outside of it. And soon enough we'll bring our first baby home to our own little corner of Sandy. It was always a home for me, and now it's a home for us.

Provo and Sandy, although they will always be special places to us, are just that-places. What I've learned the last few months though is this-home is not a place, it's a feeling. It's a feeling that can only be described for me as 'with Nate.' So no matter how long we stay in Sandy, and no matter where we carve a place out next I do know one thing-it will be home. 

Wonderful Unknown

"We can't insist on our own timetables when the Lord has his own... The Lord's delays often seen long. But they are always calculated to bless."

-President Eyring, Where is the Pavilion

Tonight laying on a blanket in our front yard we soaked up the remaining rays of sunshine with a couple good books. The light started to sink behind our little neighborhood and I caught a glimpse of Nate, smiling. As I watched him fly his helicopter around the yard,  the sun lighting up his face, I had the very distinct feeling that this, these very moments, are why we're here right now. Living here in our little home, just the two of us.

Last year when we got married it was not our plan to still be here in Provo. We had other dreams, and ambitions. Dreams we felt good about, ambitions that felt right. Despite the fact that this year didn't work out as we had planned, it has worked out perfectly. We've been able to spend so much time together-exploring, reading, cooking, traveling, teaching-together. We've had so many seemingly simple moments and conversations that have meant everything to me. We were given a beautiful gift from our loving Heavenly Father-not a year we wanted, but a better year, one of incredible happiness.

We're at a time again where our future is very much unknown. However, we feel at peace with this fact. How could we not, after the year we've had? So as the sun sets on this year of our lives we look forward, faithfully, to our wonderful unknown.

Graduated Without A Plan

Oops... I must have missed that day of school where everyone made their big, post-graduation plans.
Ok, to be fair to myself I had some big post-graduation plans, but somewhere along the way things didn't work out the way I had planned. Isn't that always how it goes? And now I find myself graduated, unemployed, and living in my parent's basement.

And can I just say what a wonderful life that is?

Don't get me wrong-it's about time I find myself one of those grown up jobs, and get out into the "real world" but for today, this life suits me just fine. It's one full of free food, plenty of little home improvement/chores to occupy my time with, hours to read, plenty of company, day time movies, bubble baths, parks to run at, and people who love me.

Really though-someday not too far away I'll have that full time job, and these days will only be a memory. So for today I'll make sure it's the very best kind of memory. Now if you'll excuse me I really should get back to my book....

image via here

Easter Sunday

This Easter was full of so many of my favorite things.

Unintentional coordinating church attire

Adorable children

Pretty weather

My family

Good friends

Delicious food

and a special focus on the Savior and his resurrection.

It was the perfect Easter Sunday.

 

 Accidentally matching. Oops.

 Intentionally matching. They just love each other that much.

The pals that came home from Provo with me

Modeling the old hair ties that we got in our eggs during the "big kid" Easter egg hunt

Allison is a gem, so much so that my 5 year old cousin may have developed quite the cute little crush on her...

Thanks Mom & Dad for making sure everyone had an Easter basket, treats, plenty of dinner, and a good time. I loved bringing everyone home. It really was a perfect Easter.

Things I Loved About Living at Home Last Month:

chocolate can always be found somewhere


going to the movies! what a treat!


someone was always willing to buy me some diet coke


my big comfy queen bed


dvr


not having to worry about what I would do for dinner


friends, how i met your mother, big bang theory marathons


playing with coco


trips to cemeteries


"seamore butts" visiting his "enemy" at the cemetery


sundays at Aunt Debbies


on the rare chance it was sunny-laying on the tramp


the nice washer/dryer. seriously-so big


naps on the couch


hanging out with my family

Love Long Weekends

Since coming back to Provo I've been kind of sick. Not of classes or walking to school in freezing temperatures, but legit runny nose/ears killing kind of sick.

I got a cold once last semester, and although it sucked being sick I kept thinking:
"At least I'm sick in Paris and London."

I decided to try that same positive thinking but the phrase:
"At least I'm sick in Provo"
doesn't really have the same ring for some reason. In fact it is kind of just a double negative... which does not equal a positive in this case.

However, since I had a long weekend I got to go home, and the phrase:
"At least I'm sick at home"
is a definite positive.

Here is why:

Parents to check on you, 3 movies (Inception-lived up to my expectations, Social Network-can't get enough, and Country Strong-finally), the Golden Globes, Cafe Rio, Dad's homemade chicken noodle soup, strobel cookies, sleeping in, and my nice bed.

Also, when you have a long weekend you have time to make it to the dr-apparently I have a pretty bad sinus infection as well as an ear infection.

Which probably wasn't helped by the other great part about long weekends-hanging out with my friends at home. This weekend that involved a great dance party thrown by a lds fraternity up at the U. The music was more than a little loud-which didn't help my ears-but it was worth it to hang out with those girls. They really let me have the best of both the provo and the slc worlds by inviting me to things, and always finding time to hang out. I love that.

So, although today the doctor said I needed rest, antibiotics, and plenty of fluids (I hope diet coke counts) this weekend was really what I needed to start feeling better.

"At least I'm not as sick as I was before... in Provo"

Sounding better already!


Also-I changed the look of my blog. I'm still kind of playing with it, but I'm not in London anymore and therefore my blog couldn't be either. That was an amazing experience that I appreciate more, and learn more from every day still. However, I love what I'm doing with my life now too, and I'm excited to share that as well. Let me know what you think.

Christmas Break...

This past Christmas break it was so nice to be home with my family. Some of my very favorite moments were just sitting and taking in the decorations:

-Or sitting on the couch drinking diet coke, watching American football

-Eating kraft mac and cheese

-Getting a pedicure with mom!

-Putting my jet lag to good use and spending the early hours of the morning catching up on Modern Family

-Bubble baths with my lush bath fizzes

-Cookie baking/decorating with my dad and sisters

-Cheesecake and only good conversation with Stace

-Creeper Santa at Candle light Christmas

-Downtown lights

-Christmas with the Child family, including meeting sweet baby London

-Catching up on trash mags

-Cafe rio... multiple times

-Cuddling with the cutest puppy in the world

-Hanging out with Lex

-Celebrating Christmas!

-Watching Emma and eating Galexy chocolate (keeping the English spirit alive and well)

-Car shopping... and our test run in the Passport....

-Driving the truck everywhere necessary

-Sleeping in

-Spending time by myself, after sharing a house with 35 others this was a special luxury

-Seeing coach Whitingham at what was probably the most boring chick flick of my life

-The roof for dinner... the mint chocolate cake was very good to me again. Just like last year!

-Sundays at the Alta Heights ward

-Seeing old friends, and missing the new ones

-Dance parties in the kitchen

-New Years with the Childs

-James remembering me

-Ringing in the new year at the U with Stace and Lex

-True Grit

-And just hanging out with the family

It was so nice to just be with my family. I know I've said that about 4 times in this post already but honestly, the rest was all just icing on the cake. I feel like I found a new love for Christmas this year, because I realized how much it is really is about being with the people you love.

And thats what made it so great.

Goodbye London

My last few days in London were not what I expected, they were absolutely amazing though. With finals over I was free to finish packing, saying goodbye to my favorite city, and hanging out with some of my most dear friends.

Sister Seeley told us that whenever you travel you should think how the journey has changed you. I've been thinking about this a lot lately and as I've thought about all the things I've learned and grown from I just feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the experiences I had.

I'm grateful for the great girls that became a family to me. I'm grateful that I could live, learn and laugh with each of them.

I'm more grateful for the gospel and for the blessings it brings to my life. I'm so grateful for the miracles I saw while gone, for the way in which my testimony was strengthened and for all my prayers I saw answered.

I'm grateful for 27 Palace Court. That building is stunning, and despite the formality of the sitting room, and sharing a room with 11 other people-this place became home to me, and I'm grateful for the comfort and fun it provided.

I'm still in awe of all the things I saw, and touched at the amazing places I'd spent 20 years hearing about. I'm grateful that I got to see so many important and stunning things and places-those both significant educationally and in pop culture!

I fell in love with the Catford ward-including Devri and Sarah. I'm so grateful that I was able to attend this ward, and feel of the sweet spirit of the members there. I learned that the principles and spirit of this gospel are the same everywhere-even if some of the physical things are a little different than at home. Also, I'm grateful for the 3 hours spent traveling there and home each week (gasp of surprise) Those hours where I got to know those two girls better were always a highlight of my weeks-I love them.

My first days in London were exhausting-walking so much... but in the end it is something I miss so much already. Being able to get anywhere worth going so easily, and having endless possibilities of places to visit within walking distance is something I loved. I miss the fun walks, the beautiful sights, and even, for a moment, the fun public transportation.

We always had so much fun. I already miss the nightly rants/jokes/towel songs/abs "workouts" and the endless laughter... and I'm so grateful for the girls that always made me laugh. Thanks room 4.

I lived with great people, but the biggest effect they had on me was the influence they had on who I've become. They loved me, and believed in me, and spending time with them taught me to believe in myself more, and recognize the beauty in everyone around. I think it's safe to say that we all grew up a little bit, and I'm grateful we had that opportunity together.

Overall, I fell in love with this city. I feel so satisfied with my experience there-with the things I saw and the feelings I felt there. I learned so much, I wish I could articulate them all better, but for now I'll just describe this experience in the best way I know how-right. I new from the moment I first saw this program advertised that it was right, and along each step of the journey that was confirmed to me. Being in London at this time, with these people, at this stage in my life was right for me-and the influence of this amazing experience will be felt for the rest of my life.

I can't end this post without mentioning my gratitude to my family. This experience would have been impossible without your support, love, e-mails and prayers. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity, and I owe all of it to you. Thank you.

Home

I'm sitting on my bed in a pensive mood with my writing play list going. It is time to put these thoughts into words. Time to explain what I'm feeling.

Coming home is a unique experience. It is weird to bring boxes in and claim my space again. This has always been my home, I was just lucky enough to have two homes for awhile. Now I'm back to just the one, the real one, and that is an adjustment.

The other home, the temporary one, was MY home. I recognize and am grateful that it was also home to 5 others who I love dearly, but I spoke of it as mine, saw it as my place. It represented me being on my own. It all had to do with the selfish nature of a college student. I left it when I wanted, I returned to it when I desired; I cleaned it, , I used it as I wanted to, I paid the rent, I called it mine. There are a lot of I's in that explanation, as there should be. College is a selfish time, but not necessarily in a bad way. One should still serve those around them, and the Lord but this times main focus is on one's own progression, education, and becoming. This is the brief time period between childhood and the next step-when the I becomes a we. This is the time period I live in, and perhaps thats why I think so much of that home in terms of me.

This home, my always home, is OUR home. It is not just home to me but also to my four favorite people. We each have our own way of handling situations, accomplishing tasks, and living. These dynamics are always evolving as we individually progress and change. My coming home has changed the dynamics of this home, I recognize that fact. It must be hard for them to have the dynamics they were used to and comfortable with change so suddenly. Just as it is hard for me to have the dynamics of my life do the same. So, it is hard, but good-most good things are hard after all. I'm loving being home, in this "average house with above average amounts of love and laughter". In this place where I am free to be myself without inhibition or worry, where I am surrounded by love and those who believe in me, I am most happy. I hope to provide that for my family too. I hope having me home is just as enjoyable for them.

It just takes some adjusting. So be patient with me please, and I'll try to show you as much love as you constantly extend to me.

On a side note, I'd just like to say how much I love home. Lately I've been focused on the materialistic aspects of our house, and not the home. How different these two things are! So, from here on out I'll try to improve the house as I can, but I will try to add to the home in all that I do. I'm so proud of the home we have, and the house it resides in.

Finally a pause in the craziness...

Finals finally ended. And they went so very well. I've never been more satisfied with how my semester shaped up, and I know that it is not because of my own brain or genius, but by the hand of the lord and hard work. I worked harder then ever before, and because of that I was blessed to do well. I could not be more grateful for that.

After finals ended it was time to pack up and make the move back to Sandy. Packing was horrible-I had no idea I had so much stuff. It is absolutely insane! Cleaning the apartment was even worse then packing but we made it through. I moved back here to my home in Sandy yesterday and ever since I've been crazy busy unpacking and placing my life together here!

I finally have a moment to think. The rush and whirlwind of the last two weeks is finally over. It's finally hitting me that it's summer time, that I'm living in Sandy now, that I won't see my roommates and BYU friends for 8 months and that London is fast approaching.

I'm excited for London. More then that though I'm excited for right now. For summer, for living here, for making new friends and memories.