It's Christmastime

It's Christmastime and we couldn't be happier about it around here! We decorated a little bit early, but since then have been busy enjoying different holiday activities. We went to the Festival of Trees, we sewed a couple wonderful (if I do say so myself) stockings, we checked out the lights at Temple Square, we've wrapped presents, addressed Christmas cards, been shopping, made yummy peppermint treats and watched Christmas movies.

Yesterday marked a year since Nate proposed to me, and the magic of that time mixed with the all around happy of Christmas has made for a very wonderful holiday season so far.

Christmas is always my favorite time of year, and this year it has been even more exciting and happy-my first Christmas with Nate.

Thanksgiving

Nate and I have spent Thanksgiving together before. It was last year, in Bend. 

We had a lovely time. His family was so gracious, and kind.

However-this boy wouldn't talk marriage with me. Here he was inviting me home for a big holiday and he would give me no mention of the future.

One accidently dropped Sierra West Jewelry business card, a happy teeth brushing experience though and I knew, even though wouldn't admit it, that he wanted to marry me.

Less than three weeks later we were engaged-ring and all. 

For all those reasons I love that Thanksgiving.

Luckily-this year, our first married Thanksgiving together, was very different but just as wonderful. We spent the weekend up at my parents house, enjoyed dinner at my darling Aunt's home, watched movies, shopped on Black Friday, decorated for Christmas, and checked out the lights. It was a very peaceful, happy Thanksgiving.

And luckily, just like last year, this guy is the thing I'm most thankful for.

My first time making sweet potatoes was a success!

 The same spot where we got engaged, just shy of a year ago.

A Thankful Heart

loud thunderstorms

autumn leaves that crunch

11:00am church

our primary class

cars that work

lazy Sundays

our little, perfect home on our quiet, simple street

white Christmases

our jobs

While You were Sleeping

our Nida

airplanes

delicious food

vacations to look forward to, and the memory of those had

my education

Nate's education

BYU brownies

a cozy bed

London

clothes on my back

shoes on my feet

the life we've carved out in "post-byu" provo

popcorn

friends near and far 

movie dates

love, for me and for those I love

chocolate

simple acts of kindness

those darling children who made me an aunt

good books

laughter

brothers and sisters-in law

pretty things

animals

Mom and Dad Rau, and their welcoming hearts

love letters

lotion

my loving, little sisters

hot water

cold pillows

starry nights

righteous, loving parents

general conference

beautiful music

inspiring people

the ocean

the savior, and his atonement

prayer

temples and eternal covenants

the book of mormon

a husband who is perfect for me

forehead kisses

twinkle lights

my body, and all it is capable of

that I married my best friend

a loving, caring father in heaven

Lately I've been tempted to compare-vacation days, wardrobes, financial situations, appearances-but there is no joy in that. I've found though that there is great joy in thanksgiving, in recognizing and appreciating all the many blessings that are mine. Some days I look at my life, and although very ordinary to some, it feels overwhelmingly extraordinary. I am so very blessed, and perhaps my greatest blessing is knowing where those blessings come from. God is good, and isn't it such a blessing to know that fact! He is good, kind, and knows me well enough to bless me with what I need, and things that bring me constant joy.

This is my life, and I am incredibly happy and thankful for it.

An Afternoon at the Zoo

Nate's been working so hard these past few months studying for the GRE. He finally took it last week, and I couldn't let such a happy occasion pass by without a little celebrating. So, after he was done with it we took off for an afternoon at zoo.

The sun was golden, the animals were active, and the company was the very best.

There are some days where happiness overwhelms me-where I realize more fully than other days that my life is so very blessed. This was one of those days. It could only be described in one word-perfect.

Rau Halloween

In my opinion our first Halloween married called for matching costumes.

So the week of Halloween Nate and I saw online a great costume for a couple-bandits. It was easy to do-just black and white stripped shirts, black masks, and black beanies. We could totally be bandits.

One chalk spray painted t-shirt, two very poorly cut masks later and we had our costume-although my husband thought I looked more like a French person. They weren't as cute as they were online, but we only wore them to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, so they were perfect.

Nate and I spent the evening passing out candy and watching Harry Potter. We felt so grown up being on this side of the door, giving candy to the darling children of our neighborhood. I'm sure there will be plenty of Halloweens where we're walking the neighborhood taking children trick-or-treating in our future-so we really enjoyed this quiet relaxed holiday this year.... plus the extra candy.

Rautumn Happenings

What this Autumn has looked like:

A tight election race, in which the Raus were VERY invested. Luckily this year election day came early and our guy won. Although we hate to see Josiah leave the White House, somebody had to take his place, and luckily the guy who won is a quality one. 

Crunchy leaves falling all over our beautiful garden. I didn't think the garden could get more beautiful, but it's kind of stunning the way the leaves fall around the bright flowers. Oh this season!

Beautiful red, orange and yellow patches of vibrate color scattered across our mountains. Oh the mountains in the fall-there are no words to do them justice.

What this Autumn has smelled like:

"Autumn Walk"-the best thing that has ever come out of Walmart

Also that fall smell mixture of fire, chill and leaves. Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about.

What this Autumn has tasted like:

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread.

Parmesan Fondue.

Potatoes.
and a whole lot of popcorn.

What this Autumn has sounded like:

A crazy amount of crickets outside our open windows

Taylor Swift's "Out of the Wood"-one of us loves to sing it at the top of lungs

Laughter. A lot of laughter.

What this Autumn has felt like:

My favorite season, spent with my favorite person has made me feel a new level of contentment, a new level of peace, and a new level of love for my husband, and of course, for Autumn.

Annual Corn Maze Adventures

The corn maze is an autumn tradition around here.

For the past six years (at least!) I've gone every year, and it probably wouldn't feel like autumn if I didn't go. 

So this year when Mom and Dad offered to take us, we were thrilled to join them (and their 50+ favorite single adults). We went through the maze, played a little ole fashioned tether ball, and even some corn bag toss! It was a perfect autumn evening.