Shark Attack

My husband is a pretty adventurous guy-it's one of the things I like most about him. While we were dating he told me that at the top of his bucket list was swimming with sharks. I smiled, and secretly thought that it would never happen.

I was definitely wrong.

When we decided we were heading to Hawaii Nate immediately started talking about swimming with sharks. At first I was pretty nervous about the idea-I didn't want him to get eaten by a shark! However, once I learned you were in cage, and that everyone does it (I know, I succumbed to the peer pressure!) I decided that maybe it would be alright to swim with sharks. He was pretty convincing too because I decided to give it a try too! By the time we were in Hawaii, buying tickets, I was pretty excited!

We left Waikiki by 5:45 am, and by 6:30 we were on our way. Once we got out to the spot, we could see the sharks coming up to the boat. At that moment, leaning over the boat to get a good look at the sharks, I realized that I was about to get in the water with them. It hit me then that all that stood between me and a flesh eating monster was a small cage and a little plexiglass. I was officially nervous.

Once we were in the water though, there was no energy to be nervous. The water was rough, but we had a wonderful time diving down to get a closer view of those sharks. There were probably at least 10 of them, each about 8-12 feet long. We had a blast! It was one of the most adventurous things we've ever done together, and I must admit, one of the most fun things we've ever done together too!

I'm so glad we got to check this off the bucket list! Now, if only I could convince Nate that diving with Great White's isn't as cool as people make it sound....

 So glad that we could do this with Edward and Natalie.

 The view from the boat

By the way, this is our "we survived" look.

And-just in case you prefer a video....

Aloha

Back in January I found an insanely good deal on flights from Salt Lake to Honolulu. I got home from work that day and told Nate that I seriously, really, 100% honestly thought that we should go.

After all, why not? We have no kids, we're not in school, the price was right, and it just plain felt good. So that night we booked tickets, and a time share (thanks to my generous father in law) and before we knew it we were going to Hawaii.

It was the most spontaneous thing we've ever done.

It was also one of the very best things we've done.

The trip ended up being a much needed break, more than we could have anticipated when we decided to go. It was exactly what we needed to get a break, gain perspective, and honestly just have fun. Words can't do this vacation justice-so I'll stop using them, and instead let the pictures do the talking.

How could it not be a wonderful vacation when we're together. I still get giddy at the fact that I get to go on my best adventures with my best friend.

PS More posts to come-including one about shark diving!

Provo Progressive Dinner

When Natalie and Edward came to town I knew two things had to happen:

1) Late night chat sessions with my long lost roommate
2) We had to cram all the best Provo food in during their 1.5 day stay

Of course both of those things happened, what kind of hostess would I be if they didn't? However, with such a short stay we had to be creative with how we consumed the best food of Provo. So N squared put their heads together again, noticed all the signs from the universe and came up with their best idea yet-the Provo Progressive Dinner.

Appetizer: Guru's Sweet Potatoe Fries
Drinks: Sodalicious
Dinner: Zupas soups
Dessert(s): Sweet Tooth Fairy cookies for tomorrow, and Graham Canyon for tonight (we couldn't choose just one...)

#fgp

(PS I'm writing this post like a month after the fact and I'm so sad-Natalie please come back)

Celebrating Mom

To the woman I most admire, happy mothers day and happy birthday. May the coming year be filled with the sound of laughter, and many happy new adventures. You're a mother beyond compare-one that has such a deep capacity for love, and shares it with everyone. I'm so glad I'm lucky enough to call you mine!

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.

One Year of Marriage

Friday Nate and I celebrated our one year anniversary. I was overwhelmed with all the feelings throughout the day. I thought back to where we were just one year ago and in so many ways it felt like yesterday. However, at the same time I feel like we've grown so much, and come so far. I love him more than words can say, and I'm so grateful that every day this past year has been full of his kind words. I've loved every day of this year, as we've settled into this together life.

There are so many moments of this past year that I always want to remember-moving into our home, shopping at Target for free, our first trip to the ER together, our weekend in St. George with a broken down car, climbing Timp, exploring the coast and eating at the Sea Hag, drives through Oregon, Idaho, and Utah filled with meaningful conversation, our first Christmas, the day at the zoo, and countless hours spent making this apartment our home.

I thought I loved him a year ago, and I can't believe how much I love him now. I can't wait to see how that love grows over the years.

It was a quiet, happy anniversary-and here is to an eternity more of them.

We've Had Some Birthdays-Shout Hooray!

Birthdays are kind of a big deal around here. It's basically the perfect excuse to partake in all your favorite things! I like to make sure that all birthdays involve a lot of whatever the birthday person loves-myself included! Well mine and Nate's birthdays are only nine days apart, so what has been happening instead is one day of a lot of celebrating, a week of minor celebrating, capped off by another day of lots of celebrating.

It's kind of the best!

This year for my birthday we took it fairly easy. I had a pretty bad cold, but we still managed to make it one of my very best. We went to lunch at Black Sheep Cafe, went to see the Cinderella movie, got as many free birthday treats as possible and relaxed all evening. It was perfect.

That weekend we met up with my family to celebrate both of our birthdays. We took a stroll around the capitol, had a delicious dinner at Tucanos and opened a few presents. Sunday we had cake and ice cream with the rest of the family. It was a blast to celebrate both of our birthdays with so many people we love.

 (For me-two small candles representing a 2-for a "25")

  (for Nate-he's 26 now!)

 This past Saturday was Nathan's birthday! I made sure we did all of his favorite things! We stayed up late so he could open his presents at midnight. The next morning we slept in, and went out for breakfast. After that we went shooting, and we both had the best times-we probably only missed three clays between the two of us! Later we went to dinner at a delicious Chilean restaurant and went bowling.

We had the happiest nine days celebrating together. I loved my birthday, and Nate spoils me every year. But I have to admit that I love his birthday even more-I just love getting to celebrate him and have so many of his friends and family reach out to tell him how great he is. Because he really is the best.

This year especially I was overwhelmed by the love and kindness extended to us both by our friends and family during our birthdays. I have always said that I am surrounded by the best best people. Since Nate and I got married that circle of people has only grown. I'm so grateful for the wonderful people in both of our lives. Thanks for your friendship!

I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for the two of us-as 25 and 26 year olds. I have a feeling it is going to be a memorable one!