Monday, February 28, 2011

come what may, and love it

Today has been a rough days. Just one of those days where everything seems to go wrong, even though everything is really just fine. Thank goodness for the wise words of those who love us.


"'Come what may, and love it.'


"How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can't--at least not in the moment. I don't think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don't think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.


"If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.


"Over the years I have learned a few things that have helped me through times of testing and trial. I would like to share them with you.


"1. Learn to Laugh: The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.


"2. Seek for the Eternal: Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.


"3. The Principle of Compensation: That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.


"4. Trust in the Father and the Son: The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him."


That will be my motto this week. I will come what may, and I will love it.


Source: Come What May, and Love It by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

snowshoeing adventures

Nick and I did all manner of much needed relaxing over our three-day weekend. On Monday, though, we decided we'd been lazy enough and needed to go exert ourselves. Nick had been promising to take me snowshoeing for a while, so we finally went and I LOVED it! So much fun.


Much to my paranoia, we took the camera along.. and it managed just fine. Although we took TONS of photographs, so consider yourself warned :)



Nick getting the Camelbaks ready.. I love those things!


We got up there early enough that it was still really quiet and peaceful. And breathtakingly white...






Going down hills proved to be a little tricky...






For Jessica... see? He wears ALL his beanies like Peter Pan ;)



The snow was so high it reached the roof of a bathroom. Nick thought it would be buckets of fun to climb up and jump off. I thought it would be buckets of fun to record :)





Tuesday, February 15, 2011

flexibility

I'm sitting at BYU, doing some homework and waiting for a meeting with one of my professors, when I overhear a conversation two elderly men have as they walk past me...


"You have to be flexible when you work in this field."
"Oh, I'm flexible! Now if only I had flexibility of the limbs..."


:)


PS- Riding the bus is cool, even if I had to stand 'til we got to UVU. Today was my first day, and I'm already a huge fan of UTA. Probably more so once I don't have to pay for gas every week :)

Monday, February 14, 2011

life with you

Alright.. Valentine's Day.. whatever. We've never celebrated it, but it seems like it's everywhere and I have to at least acknowledge it's presence. So here. Consider it acknowledged ;)


I'm not even bitter about the holiday.. Nick & I are just indifferent. I don't think we've ever "celebrated" it, besides occasionally using it as an excuse to splurge and buy a CD or something, haha. Anyway, I do love him, so here it goes.


Five Reasons I Love Nick


1. He'll never read this or know I posted it. The only time he checks the blog is when someone tells him they like something I posted ;)


2. He calls me every single work day during lunch. Even if the guys at work make fun of him.. I love talking to him and just telling him about my day.


3. He's ticklish when he's tired... it's funny. Unfortunately, I'm ALWAYS ticklish, so it's never a good idea.


4. He supports every single thing I do. He comes to shoots with me. He listens to my ideas, and makes them happen with me. He tells me I can do it.. and he works his butt off every single day so that I can.


5. My life would suck without him.


Those aren't the only reasons, but it's time to go to class, and at least I've succeeded at "celebrating" Valentine's day.. since my Valentine will be working all day, at work and at the rental house. Love you, Nick :)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

bright side

This week (I know, it's only Tuesday) has been rough. We're trying to look at the bright side, though. Join us!


A fridge/freezer that stopped working?
Perfect opportunity to clean them out and throw away old food!


A second car that costs more to fix than it's worth?
The chance to spend more time together and also invest in a bus pas! Saving the environment one step at a time!


A lost job?
More time to spend on school work and photography!


See? Isn't this fun?!


We're also more motivated to go to the temple this weekend in hopes that Heavenly Father will love us more ;)


PS- I have the best husband EVER. Really. I'm not even exaggerating. Neither one of us has melted down yet... I'm so grateful for senses of humor :)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

january 2011

This year is off to an interesting start. Here are some things we learned/experienced/observed in the first month of 2011...


- We were sick alllll month. All variety of sickness, in fact. We're hoping this has taken care of us for the remainder of the year...


- People are really easily offended. I'm afraid to comment on anything on facebook anymore, because apparently things I say are a big deal ;) I'm also not friends with as many people as I seem to think.


- I am SO glad I switched my major. I love everything about it... learning, writing, testing... enjoying every last bit of Public Relations!


- We have THE best friends, cousins, aunts/uncles, parents, siblings.. everyone. We have had so much fun this year spending time with the people that we love... we are surrounded by the best people EVER.


- We're really happy with where we are right now. Nick and I have spent so much time wishing we could afford a house, wishing we were done with school, wishing we could be in the careers we want to be in right now... but lately we've been grateful for where we are. Because someday in the near future, life is going to get a lot more complicated/expensive/crazy/busy. And we'll look back to where we are now and think how nice it was to get to spend so much time (even if it doesn't feel like so much) with each other, with our family, doing things we love to do. I have no idea.. can't even begin to guess.. where life is going to take us. But I am so grateful for where we are now. What we have and what we don't.


Yeah :)