Dustin and Rachel

You + Me = LOVE

2010-02-14T14:03:00.005-07:00

So Tuesday after work Dustin told me that he had my Valentine's present already. I was rather surprised because we had set a $10 limit and he hadn't asked me once what I wanted. I was also very excited because I love surprises. Latter on he asked me if he could just give it to me now. For those that don't know, Dustin has a very difficult time holding on to a present until the day you're supposed to give it. We go through this with my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. At first I went through my normal "No just wait a few more days", but after much persistence from Dustin I finally gave in and said fine you can give it to me now. When he came into the room with a rather large Nordstroms box I had a feeling he didn't stay within our $10 limit. Because honestly what can you even buy from Nordstroms for $10? I opened the box and found the beautiful Coach purse that I had previously told him I was so in love with, but of course had no real intentions of buying. My sweet husband continued to tell me that it was to show how much he appreciated me and all I do for him. I was so overwhelmed!

I still get gitty everytime I look at it! It will be a constant reminder of how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband! Dustin and I have been married for just over 2 1/2 years and it gets better everyday. I still get gitty when I look at him too. He has been by my side through good times and bad times and I couldn't imagine my life without him. He is so smart, loving, helpful with household chores, motivated, and so funny! He is always trying to make me laugh, even when I don't really want to laugh, but always end up laughing anyway. I am so greatful for every day I get to spend with him. He is truly one of the biggest blessings in my life!

Us on Valentines Day. When Dustin saw this picture he said that my shirt made it look like I didn't have boobs like an optical allusion. I told him that's exactly what a girl wants to hear. Oh my husband always trying to make me laugh. Some times it doesn't quite work! :)

Blessings through Books

2010-01-29T14:47:00.006-07:00

So lately I've been in such a reading mood. That's all I want to do is just read. My friend Lauren was kind enough to let me borrow a few because Dustin told me I've been going through the ones I've bought too quickly that I can't buy anymore for a while. I personally don't think it's a waste of money to buy books, but whatever. Pick your fights right? So in the pile of books Lauren brought me the book "The Book Thief" really stood out to me. I read just enough of the back to find out it took place in Nazi Germany. (Side note: I hate reading the back of books or the synopsis of books because I like to go into a book not knowing what's going to happen.) I really love reading books about the Holocaust. I'm not sure what it is, but I love them. And this book added to my love. It was really one of the best books I have ever read. It's a very clever, engaging, well-written book. Since it takes place in Nazi Germany there are a lot of heart wrenching things that happen. Things I couldn't imagine having to go through. It made me feel like the things I've been going through lately really aren't nearly as bad as having a leader that finds certain people inferior enough to murder them in horrific ways and try to make you go a long with it. Having air raids and the daily possibility of losing your home, your life or the lives of your loved ones. I've been complaining a lot lately about how we still live in Utah. I've pretty much acted like living in Utah is the most terrible thing I could have happen to me. (Because driving through a snow storm has become one of my worst nightmares.) After reading this book it makes me so great full that I live when and where I do and not during this horrible time. I think Heavenly Father knew that my heart wouldn't be able to handle seeing so many innocent people suffer in such a way. It makes me feel better, if only a little bit, about living in Utah. Even thought I still hope everyday Dustin will get a job that will take us out of this freezing cold place.

I've also been trying to focus more on staying positive and seeing the good in every situation. And what better place to turn than to the gospel. My friend Kassandra let me borrow the book 'If Life Were Easy It Wouldn't Be Hard" by Sheri Dew.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that is having a hard time with anything. It really helps you look at life in an eternal prospective. It teaches of true happiness and not just temporal happiness. It's reminded me of basic truths that seem to get forgotten in the busy rush of life. I really feel like Heavenly Father found the perfect way to help me or "speak" to me and that is through books. I am so thankful that He knows each and every one of us well enough to deliver a message specific to me and what He knew I would understand best. Now it's just up to me to put what I've learned into action!

I'm Back

2009-06-30T18:15:00.003-06:00

So I knew it had been a while since I last blogged, but I didn't realized it had been 6 months. A lot has happened in the last 6 months, but I'll do a quick update (and of what I can remember).

Dustin applied for graduation and will graduate this August. We're so excited for him to be done. Hopefully this will mean we'll be leaving Utah. We both feel like we've been here long enough. Hopefully we'll be somewhere with no snow this next winter. Fingers crossed! Dustin also got a job at Orbit Medical. Right now he's a Jr Sales Rep, but once he graduates he should get his own territory.

Dustin and I both celebrated birthdays the last couple months. Dustin- May 10, turned 24, Me-June 19, turned 22. Dustin says he feels old and I just can't believe how old my siblings are... which kind of makes me feel old. For my birthday we say the movie The Proposal and if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it. It's really funny and cute. Dustin even liked it and he rarely likes chick flicks.

Dustin and I also celebrated our 2 year anniversary on June 28. We can't believe it's been 2 years. Everyone keeps saying it seems like yesterday they were standing in 115 degree weather at the temple haha. We watched our wedding video and I think I'm going to make that a tradition to always watch on our anniversary.

Well those are the big things I can think of right now... probably because they've happened so recently. Hopefully I'll be better at updating this. Oh and taking pictures, I'm so bad at that.

Best Super Bowl Ad

2009-01-31T20:05:00.001-07:00

Since the Super Bowl is tomorrow and I haven't ever posted on our blog i decided to share with everyone my favorite Super Bowl ad of all time its

I hope you enjoy.

Dustin

Showers and Sundance

2009-01-25T12:54:00.007-07:00

Yesterday was a really good day for me. I had the opportunity to throw one of my best friends a baby shower. I have known Lauren since Freshman year of college, but it seems like a lot longer. She is one of the nicest most giving people I've ever met. She is going to have a little baby boy named Holden Mckay Farrer. She's due Feburary 15, but we all hope he comes a little sooner than that. I know I can't wait to see him.

Lauren and I on her wedding day. I was lucky enough to be her maid of honor.

All of us girls at the shower.

Then later that night a bunch of us went up to the Sundance Film Festival. We had tickets to what we thought was going to be 3 short documentaries... boy we were wrong. The "movie" started, if you could even call it a movie, and we were in for a bizarre surprise. The screen started flashing different images with strange dialog and sounds playing with it. Dustin and I kept looking at each other trying to figure out what we were watching. After 23 minutes of craziness the second documentary started. This one actually was a documentary. It was about bees. Yes I know, doesn't sound very exciting, but after what we had just experienced at least we could follow and understand this. Then the last "movie" started. There was a white box on the screen and it faded in and out. This is ALL IT DID! This one was supposed to be 44 minutes. Dustin and I just started laughing. Many people in the audience began walking out. We couldn't believe that someone made this, thought it was movie, and thought that people would acutally enjoy watching it. We left after about 15 minutes of it. We then went and got hot chocolate, walked around town, and tried to see some celebrities... with no luck. All and all it was really fun, but one of the strangest experiences.

Dustin and I in front of movie posters... all of which I'm sure would have been better than the "movie" we saw.

Linda and I after getting hot chocolate.

Dustin with a bear.

There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays...

2009-01-09T10:56:00.008-07:00

And we were lucky enough to spend the Holidays with both of our families. My job was nice enough to let me off for two weeks so Dustin and I got to escape the cold and see our families! We spent the first week in Bakersfield. We had a blast shopping in LA, having dinner with family, making cookies for Santa, watching Chloe dance, watching the kids open up there presents, watching movies, and just spending time with Dustin's family. It was so great.

Playing Candy Land with Tanner and Chloe... aka spiderman and the princess.

She wouldn't smile because Dustin was taking the picture. She kept us laughing the entire time!

Then we spent the next week in Mesa. There we enjoyed warm weather (like 70 degrees), watching more movies (Marley and Me is amazing by the way. Highly recommend it!), shopping (mostly Rachel), going to the HUGE PGA Tour Store, golfing (Dustin), eating at Tia Rosas (my favorite restaurant EVER!), and again just being with family. We could not be more thankful for both of our families. They are so amazing and we had a blast with everyone. We wish we could see them more often.

Temple Lights!I took my mom to eat Sushi for her first time and it was seriously the BEST sushi I've ever had!

Dinner at Tia Rosas. I miss the fish and shrimp tacos already :(

PS My new years resolution is to take more pictures while we're with family. As you can see I'm not very good at having my camera on me and then using it. Hopefully I'll get better at that soon.

The Christmas Spirit

2008-12-12T21:51:00.001-07:00

So my ring had been gone for a really long time (a month and a half, but it felt like FOREVER) and I was kind of getting antsy to get it back, I'm sure the guy at the ring store was sick of hearing from me. Well while Dustin and I were out running errands today I decided to stop by the jewelers to see if it was in yet. And to my surprise IT WAS! I was so relieved and excited. (Side note: when I had dropped it off they asked me if I wanted my ring to be re-dipped for an additional cost, but we had decided against it) So when he gave me my ring he said they had placed the diamond back in, cleaned it, and re-dipped it. When I went to get my wallet out to pay for it the guy said not to worry about it because it had taken so long for me to get my ring back and that they felt terrible about it. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! What an amazing surprise. Not only did I not have to pay to get it fixed, but I got it re-dipped too for free. It looks brand new just like the day Dustin gave it to me and I can't stop looking at it like back then too. I am so so so happy to have it back. I feel complete again.

Then tonight one of Dustin's friends invited us to their Christmas party. It was a lot of fun. We had dinner and then went on a hay ride and caroling. It was so much fun and really made it feel like Christmas time... until we came to one house, starting singing, a woman came to the door listened for 2 seconds and then slammed the door! HOW RUDE! I couldn't believe it. Such a Scrooge! However, the really nice elderly couples we sang to made it better again. I love Christmas time and cannot wait til we get to go to Bakersfield and Mesa to spend time with our families.

Us bundled up while caroling

So Thankful

2008-11-30T16:35:00.007-07:00

Thanksgiving didn't used to be one of my favorite holidays until I went away to school. Any reason to see my family became a favorite holiday to me. Last year Dustin and I weren't able to go anywhere for Thanksgiving because of work so my family was able to come up here. We were in the same situation this year as well. Since Dustin works for a cell phone company Black Friday is of course a huge day and he couldn't get it off. My family was trying to decide if they would be able to make it up this year. I was getting so worried they wouldn't be able to come up. The day before Thanksgiving I got one of the best texts EVER! It came at 5 AM from my mom saying "we're coming!!!" My mom decided Wed morning at 5:00 that they were going to come. She woke everyone up, had them pack their own stuff and were on the road. For anyone that knows my mom this is NOTHING like her. She is always so organized, especially when traveling. My mom usually has the car packed the day before all ready to go. I was so thankful they were coming. It was a great Thanksgiving. I got to help my mom make the entire meal... which was amazing. My mom is a really good cook. It was so nice to have my family here. They all stayed in our apartment. It was a tight squeeze, but so much fun. We took some pictures while they were here... however they are missing my brother Brice and Dustin :(

I am so thankful for such a great family and husband. I'm sad we couldn't share it with Dustin's family too, but we are excited to see them at Christmas.

Game Time!

2008-11-18T21:05:00.006-07:00

I love basketball, especially when it involves the Phoenix Suns! So when I found out that the Suns were coming to Utah to play the Jazz I HAD to go and cheer for them. Our friends Bryant and Mary Angelos bought tickets with us and last night we went to the game. I was so excited and decked myself out in orange and brought a suns bag my good friend Lauren made for me. I have MAJOR pride in my suns. The game was so fun and I loved that I was in the same place as my Suns. Sadly though, my boys lost :( Dustin was kind enough to keep me calm while everyone else was going crazy for the Jazz, I didn't appreciate that much to say the least (Like I said, major pride) But I still LOVE them and know they are the BEST! Hopefully Dustin and I will be able to go to a Suns game while we are in AZ for Christmas so everyone will be going crazy for the SUNS with me!

Dustin and I at the game

Our friends Mary and Bryant

My boys doing their thing

My sweet bag Lauren made me. Thanks Lauren this came in handy :)

My nightmare!!!

2008-11-10T21:42:00.002-07:00

This last Saturday I had one of the WORST things happen!!! (Maybe a slight exaggeration, but at the time it sure felt like it) So Saturday morning I woke up and was getting ready for the gym while Dustin got ready for work. I went to put on my wedding ring (I don't sleep in it because it's said it gets bumped and can move the diamonds in your ring and cause them to fall out) and I dropped it on my tile floor in the bathroom. So I bent down to pick it up, no big deal right? WRONG!!! When I looked at my ring I saw that one the diamonds in my band was missing! I couldn't believe it. I have always tried to do everything possible to protect my ring... not sleep in it, not put it in water, not wear it while I clean, EVERYTHING! I said a choice word and Dustin came in and asked what happened. I was so afraid to tell him, but I didn't know what to do. So I told him and we both dropped to our knees and started searching for a little while. For those of you that haven't seen our bathroom, that is where our washer and dryer are. This made me very scared that it flew under there where I would have a very difficult time reaching. Dustin had to leave for work and once he did I lost it. I started balling and didn't know what to do. So I prayed and prayed and prayed!!! Then I called my mom and tried, through hysterical sobs, to tell her what happened. She tried to calm me down, but it wasn't working so well. I continued to look with no success. So I called Dustin and begged him to come home and help me, which he did. Then, after over an hour of searching, by some kind of miracle I looked where I had looked many times before and there was the diamond. I cannot tell you how relieved I felt!!! I could not have handled looking at my ring with a diamond missing (we could not afford to replace it being poor college students) I was so so so thankful my prayer was answered!

Now I am without my ring while it is being sent out to have the diamond set back in place. I am very sad to not have it, but so glad the diamond was not lost! Now Dustin wants to get me just a band to wear during the day and just use my actual ring for going out, church, and special occasions. While I am sad to not be able to wear it all the time, I guess it's worth having nothing happen to it ever again!

Halloween Fun

2008-11-01T13:13:00.009-06:00

My good friend Aly and her husband were having a costume party for Halloween that we were really excited about. However, I wasn't really excited about coming up with costumes for Dustin and me. I'm not really one to spend a lot of money on Halloween costumes, which made it even harder to come up with costumes for us... especially since I wanted us to have cute matching outfitts. So after deciding there's nothing wrong with a little contraversy this is what we came up with....
I know our costumes needs a little explaining, as we found out last night. NO DUSTIN IS NOT AN EVIL BUNNY. I clearly am the devil and Dustin is an evil democrat politician (the ears and the nose are a donkey) and our saying was: everyone knows democrats sleep with the devil. I have a feeling politics are going to have a big influence on costumes this year. I have to say this was our final product because this is how Dustin started out...

I told Dustin he looked a little too creepy and not in a good way. So we decided against the face paint.

This is the cake I made for the party. Didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to look, but hopefully you get what it is.

So I had to take a picute of these because I thought they were amazing! These fingers are SUGAR COOKIES! I have to admit I tried to eat one and I kept freaking myself out because of how much they really looked like fingers.

Me and Aly aka Sarah Palin

Thank you Aly and Spencer for throwing a great party. We had a really good time!

Bragging Time

2008-10-26T16:50:00.003-06:00

So a couple weeks ago at work a couple of the girls were complaining about their husbands and wanted me to join in. They started venting to me about what their husbands didn't do: ie. help with chores around the house, do their homework, know what they wanted to do with their lives ect. To their surprise I couldn't vent with them. Dustin does all that stuff without me telling him too. So I decided that Dustin deserved a little bragging time...

Not only is Dustin going to school full time in the Business School, but he also works 45 HOURS a week being a manager of his store. He always gets amazing grades (he's a genius!) Then on his day off instead of relaxing or going golfing he CLEANS THE ENTIRE HOUSE! I'm not just talking about picking up, but scrubbing the bathroom, doing the dishes, vacuuming, and laundry. He seriously is amazing! On top of all of that he is also working on giving his needy wife more attention :) I don't know if you'll ever read this hun, but I love you and am so greatful for everything that you do! You are incredible and I am so lucky to have you as my husband!

(PS another reason I wrote this was so when Dustin is annoying me I can come back to this blog and remember why I love him so much and not be annoyed anymore. We'll see if it works)

So since everyone else is having a baby...

2008-10-19T18:19:00.005-06:00

We decided to get one of our own. But in our own way. I swear it feels like everyone I know is pregnant or just had a baby. And since Dustin and I aren't ready to have kids yet we decided to get the next best thing... no not a dog (Dustin won't let me have one yet), but A BRAND NEW CAR! Yes, we took the plunge into adulthood and bought our first car. We bought an 09 Toyota Corolla and I absolutely LOVE it!

Not only does it look great, but it gets great gas millage, which is pretty much what sold Dustin since we will be using it to travel. It is also exactly the way we wanted it. We really wanted a white car, easier to keep clean, and we really wanted black interior, which it has. And it's the "S" model which was what Dustin wanted. So pretty much perfect for us. I have to admit it was kind of scary since it was such a big purchase, but we did it and there's no buyers remorse yet!!! Except I didn't appreciate Dustin's first comment when we got home about how we have debt now and how much it is. Not nice! Even though I don't really like to admit it, I probably will miss our Ford Fusion. It was a good car and it was the car Dustin and I made our first memories in... first dates, road trips to meet our families, ect.

We will still have it until we or someone else can take it back to California to be turned it (it was a lease) So I guess I'll have a little while to actually appreciate the Fusion a little more... especially the not having a payment part!

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-13T22:39:00.001-06:00

Scary Prank Toys & MySpace Layouts at pYzam.com

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

2008-10-11T17:21:00.003-06:00

Too bad the fire isn't so delightful! (We don't have one!) So after living in Utah for 3 years now I still haven't adjusted to the fact that it becomes FREEZING in the beginning of October! In Mesa we don't really have seasons. We have hot and not so hot. And not so hot doesn't even begin until November. So when I walked outside today and it was 48 degrees I wanted to run back inside get in bed and never leave! I mean 48 DEGREES! I thought Utah was supposed to have seasons! What happened to fall and why did we skip right past to winter?!?! I don't think I will ever be ok with Utah winters. I need a place where the winters aren't much colder than the 50 degrees, not where the beginning is 48 degrees and only going to get worse... MUCH WORSE! Now all I have to look forward to is being cold, getting colds, being wet from snow, and BEING COLD! Oh and going to California and Arizona for Christmas! Thank heavens for that!

Free bags...

2008-10-08T22:24:00.003-06:00

So I found out about his through Kaylynn Baugh (thank you Kaylynn) and I thought I'd pass along the word. All you have to do is go to this website www.handbagplanet.com and enter your name and email address and you are entered to win a FREE bag. If you're like me then you can't get enough purses... but unfortunately I don't always have the money for them so free is always good. :)

Conference

2008-10-05T20:42:00.002-06:00

So I just had to blog about how much I loved conference. It was so good to have a reminder of what we should be doing. I just love hearing the Prophet and the Apostles speak. They bring the spirit so strong. If you missed any I would highly recommend going to lds.org or reading next months Ensign.

My goal for next Conference is to have Dustin actually stay awake during it. Wish me luck!!!

New addiction

2008-09-26T22:21:00.003-06:00

So a couple weeks ago I decided I wanted to start watching Grey's Anatomy and I was going to watch the previous seasons before the new season's premiere. So I was asking my friend who watches it what season they were on. She said the new season was season 5. At first I kind of freaked out at the thought of watching 4 seasons in about 2 weeks. Well I stared watching season 1 and was completely hooked. I was determined to finish before the new season started. My friend Lauren was nice enough to let me borrow the seasons she owned, which made it so much easier. I was also sick all last weekend so I spent it relaxing and watching LOTS of Grey's Anatomy. Dustin was nice enough to watch some episodes with me and is now hooked as well. I'm so happy he actually likes one of my shows now. So the season premiere was yesterday and I'm proud/kind of embarrased to say that I was all caught up. It's really strange to have to wait an entire week now to find out what happens next. I'm so used to just putting in another disc haha. So if you're in need of a great new show I highly recommend Grey's Anatomy. Oh and the eye candy is pretty great too!

So it's football season again...

2008-09-07T12:28:00.002-06:00

Which means every Sunday football will be on at our house. Not only will Dustin be watching football on TV (and probably more than one game at a time) he will be watching games online and checking his fantasy team stats screaming at the TV and the computer "oh my gosh, how did you miss that. you're so worthless". (this is probably the tame version of what will really be coming out of his mouth) Don't get me wrong, I don't mind football and sometimes I really enjoy it, but honestly watching games all day long is just too much.

Labor Day in Logan

2008-09-01T20:48:00.008-06:00

So this summer has been a little bit of a bummer since we weren't able to take a vacation. Dustin was in school and working full time and I was working full time so it made it a little difficult. So we were really excited when Dustin's friend Justin invited us to go to his grandparents house up in Logan, Utah. (For those of you who aren't familiar with Utah it's about 2 1/2 hours north of Provo) Not too far, but far enough away :) So Dustin and I went up with our friends Justin, Linda, and Peter. We left Sunday afternoon. No one had eaten all day so we stopped at a Wendy's... BAAAAD DECISION!!! So yes I know Wendy's isn't the greatest place to begin with, but this had to be the worst Wendy's ever.

We got to the house and it was so pretty. I loved it. Here's a picture...

This picture doesn't even get the whole thing and the inside was decorated so great. I couldn't believe I was in a grandparents' house. They even had a movie theater in the basement. They also had a pool and the boys had a blast playing and betting with each other. My husband dominated :)

The boys being boys....

We drove past the Logan Temple, the gates were closed or else we would have gotten closer. I think the Logan Temple is one of the most beautiful temples. I just love it!

We didn't do a whole lot, but it was a really nice, much needed trip. Especially with Dustin starting school again tomorrow. Good luck hun! I hope this semester is great for you!

Us

2008-08-29T17:46:00.004-06:00

Well I figured our first post should be just a little bit about us. Let's see...

Dustin is in the Business School at BYU with an emphasis in sales and marketing. He is a manager at Spring (they are a third party store for AT&T cell phones) He became manager after only working there for a couple weeks. He's really good at his job! Dustin is a big golfer. He loves to golf whenever he can. His family just had their family golf tournament and his team won.

I have taken some time off from school to work full time. I work in a Dental Office, Canyon Dental, and love it. I'm going to start taking my pre-reqs for Hygiene school and I'm really excited about that. I really like the dental field. I love to dance. I want to travel to as many places as possible. Unfortunately, there aren't that many places I've been to so far.

We live in Provo, Utah right now. We hope to move somewhere warm once Dustin is done with school. We both want to move back home, so where we live will be quite the conversation when the time comes.