You + Me = LOVE

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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