1st Wedding Anniversary Weekend

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary yesterday! Time sure does fly when you're having fun. And life with my guy is really fun. Jason's goofy, playful side has been the best thing for our marriage. I know it sounds crazy, but I really didn't know how hilarious Jason is until after we were married. It was the best surprise!


Since we don't spend money on Sundays, we went out on Saturday. We saw Urinetown, which was absolutely hysterical. (Seriously, don't be scared off by the title. We thoroughly enjoyed it.) Then we headed to Bombay House for Indian cuisine. Jason isn't big into Indian food, but since he picked the show, I got to pick the restaurant. Oh my gosh soooo good. I can't get enough!!


We ended the night with way too much ice cream from Coldstone. Oh and did I mention the romantic stop at Jiffy Lube? Nothing says romance like watching the last half hour of Titanic while waiting for our oil to be changed.


On Sunday we played it a little more low-key. After church when I asked Jason what he wanted for our anniversary, he said, "Just a couple hours free to code." Ha! I spent those hours napping, so it was definitely a win-win situation. I also threw in a Mountain Dew just for funsies.

Jason knows me so well. These pretty daisies and dark chocolate showed up on my dresser.


The kitchen table set we bought ourselves for our anniversary hasn't arrived yet, so we had an indoor picnic with a home-cooked meal.


Finally, we ended the night by snuggling on the couch and watching The Impossible. (Wow, incredible story! Highly recommend it.)

What a weekend! Life is always full of surprises when Jason is around. It has been a year full of so much love and laughter. At the end of this year, I love Jason more than I did on the day I married him. He is incredibly good to me and works so hard for our family. Happy anniversary to my favorite husband!

200,000 and Counting

My baby turned 200,000 last night! I'm so proud of her and her long life. We've had a couple of near death scares, but she always pulls through. Things have been a little distant between us lately since I committed myself to a younger, sleeker sedan. But I'll always appreciate the good times we've had together--learning to drive a stick shift, cross country road trips with my bro, accompanying me on too many adventures to count. Thanks for always being there for me, Honda. Here's to another 200,000!*

*All opinions expressed are my own. Jason would not endorse that statement.

What I've Learned From My Mom

Mom with her four kids. I'm the baby.

Happy Mother's Day! My mom has taught me so many things.

- How to write well. (My mom is a published author! You can read a few of her latest short stories in a collection by Mormon female authors called Muffins and Miracles: Church Service in the Real World.)
- A little garlic and onion will spice up almost any dish.
- Everyone you meet is struggling with something.
- Always be honest.
- Never leave the shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot. Put it where it belongs.
- Be independent, make your own choices and accept responsibility for them.
- Always buy the store brand.
- Try to say yes whenever someone asks for your help.
- Stand up for your beliefs, but don't judge others for their's.

So many women have been "mothers" to me at different points in my life. I cherish each of them and the lessons they taught me. What have the mothers in your life taught you?

p.s. This post was inspired by Joanna over at A Cup of Jo who shared a few things she learned from her mother.

A Quick Evening Stroll

 

Snapped these pics on a short walk with my hubby tonight. How awesome are those clouds??

Jenna & Chase's Wedding

Last weekend, Jason's sister Jenna married her best friend. Chase took Jenna on her first date when she was 16. Isn't that just the cutest thing ever?

It was a beautiful day. We are so happy for them! I love weddings. There is just something so awesome about celebrating the union of two people in love. I love the little jokes, the tears of joy and sadness, and the toasts honoring those we love. 

  
Jenna wore her mom's wedding dress with a few modifications. She looked stunning!


They were married in the Salt Lake City temple.

It was great to see Jason's family for the first time since their big move. We sure do miss them! Wish I had a shot of the whole family to include here.... but that was the profesh photog's job.

p.s. My bangs are in that awkward stage where they're too short to stay back, but so long they hang in my eyes.

Congratulations to these two lovebirds!

Things I Do When Jason is Out of Town

Things I do when Jason is out of town:
           
- spend all night hogging both sides of the bed because I can
- lay in bed until 11:00am being lazy and reading a book
- pay the bills & catch up on my journal
- watch trashy reality TV
- see Iron Man 3 with my in-laws so I can brag about how it was sooo good when Jason gets home
- date night with Ben & Jerry
- hang out with my girlfriends (That is an old picture of me & Amanda, but she just got home from a mission & I forgot to take one after our little reunion! So happy to have her back.)

Happy Birthday Cormac!

Four years ago today I became an aunt for the first time. Here's a big birthday shout out to my nephew Cormac! He is the only niece or nephew I've been able to see shortly after his/her birth. He was so teeny tiny and perfect then. Now he's a rambunctious preschooler who says, "I don't want to talk to Aunt Stella!" and "When are you going to get me a birthday present?" when I call. ;) Can't wait to see him and his sister this summer!