Feeling the Love

I feel immense love and gratitude for my husband, Carl. We have been married for about 15 months, and they have been the best months of my life. I can't imagine my life without him. I feel like I would still be searching for something if I didn't have him today. My simple secret today is "love who you love with all that you have." :) Below are some favorite pictures of us throughout our time together.

Connections

This weekend I have thought a lot about the relationships we have with people and the connections we make with others. This started at about 1 am in the morning with Erin and Caitlin keeping Carl and me up way past our bedtime ;) We got into a deep discussion (probably because it was 1 in the morning!) but Carl mentioned that we will just naturally make connections with some people, while there will be no connection with another. We didn't know the reason for this, but it made me think about the various relationships I have made during my past 22 years. I have always been described as a person who meshes well with others, and I generally get along with everyone. But who have I made those deep connections with?

My Grandpa Day lost his wife almost a year ago. This was the first death I had experienced, and it still gets me sometimes. Yesterday we received a graduation card from him and he mentioned how proud my grandma would be of me and I just started crying. One of the biggest connections he made in this lifetime is gone and now he is alone until they meet again.

I have only had a few true best friends and I always thought that my connection with them would outlast time. And then I got married. I can't believe how connected I feel to Carl; he is my one true love and my absolute best friend. I never want to lose that earthly connection with him like my Grandpa did, which is why I think I am so terrified that one day Carl will be taken from me. But then I remember that we, just like my Grandpa & Grandma, were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. I am able to have this connection, this marriage, with Carl for ALWAYS. I can't think of a greater happiness.

Sweet Summertime

There is something about the longer days, warm nights--though not always warm in Rexburg ;)--and the beauty of nature basked in the sunlight that cause my soul to stir. I have been anxiously awaiting the end of the semester so that I can more fully appreciate summer and the wonderful qualities it has. In Idaho, we don't receive much attention from the sun, but when it does grace us with its presence, I am wholly thankful. There is also the different music that is associated with summer that gets my heart and soul pumping. A few of my  new favorites include I Do by Colbie Calliat, Good Life by One Republic, and (sadly, but truly) Super Bass by Nicki Minaj.

We'll be leaving Rexburg for good in a few weeks and though admitly I will miss part of the atmosphere here, I am looking forward to the summertime represented in the east. This picture made me extremely anxious to pick up my bags and head for home.

"Let me count the ways"

I recently read some of Emily Browning's poetry (specifically "Sonnets from a Portuguese"), and I didn't realize how romantic she was, especially during the time period she wrote in with so many political changes with women's rights. "Sonnets from a Portuguese" was written for her husband, though she never indicated his name. Browning's poetry made me think about how much I love my husband and how grateful I am to have in my life. Without him I think I would be completely lost. We love to tell each other, also, that we are each other's best friends :)

Today in church we had an older couple speak to us about marriage. When they introduced their topic, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Here we go again." Yet, I walked out of the meeting extremely enlightened. The whole time they were giving their lesson, I just felt so excited to one day be like them, a bit aged and rough around the edges, but to have learned and grown with my husband. They gave us some tips from couples who are now in their 80s on how to keep a marriage alive. It is my pleasure to share their secrets of a happy marriage to you :)

1. Men need to know why women are different and women need to know why men are different. If we understand the other gender we are more likely to comply to requests or understand why they need something. (EX: Women need to talk A LOT!)
1. Make lasting memories together and do not miss important events. They estimated that we will have at least 60 Christmases, birthdays, New Years, etc with our spouse. When you think about it that way, that is a lot!
2. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, just perfect moments. This was my favorite :) It makes you realize that you don't need to sweat the small stuff, just enjoy each other.
3. Quantity of quality time is crucial to a marriage. Even when life gets busy, it's important to take just 5 minutes of quality time together.
4. Do not be offended. Many times we don't mean to offend; it just comes out the wrong way or the receiver takes it the wrong way.
5. Infuse your marriage with Christ. Enough said!

This is such a beautiful list and has so many ideas that I hope to incorporate throughout my married life.

Nature is the art of God

This past Friday Carl and I decided to hike R Mountain to watch the sunset. We had previously watched a new show, Expedition Impossible, and we were inspired to forge large rivers, walk millions of miles, and climb extensive heights. But alas, in Rexburg all we had was R Mountain and it would have to do. We really enjoyed ourselves once we reached the top. It was amazing how fast the sun actually set--I was expecting it to be a gradual descent, but one minute it was there and the next it was gone. It made me think about how fast life goes by. But that is another topic entirely :)

Besides the sun, nature seems pretty constant. It does change with seasons and odd weather patterns, but generally it is always there, inviting us in. I don't think I take as much opportunity to enjoy this gift from God now that school and work are a big aspect of my life. I am always struck in the temple of the things we learn about the creation, and I often wish I could not only understand it better, but enjoy it more. I am quite partial to Kentucky's green-ness with its trees and real grass, but I think God loves all of his creation. This includes the mountains and the dry desert air that currently surrounds me. I hope I can find true, and not artifical, happiness in this western nature before we leave it.

“A home without books is a body without soul.”

My secret to happiness today is reading. I have been reading ever since I can remember. My mom was really good about teaching my siblings and me how to read and keeping the love of reading inside all of us. A good book to me is like an escape. It's a place a can go if I am experiencing any kind of emotion and either feel justified in my feeling (if it's positive) or uplifted (if I am feeling down). Young adult novels will always be my favorite type of literature no matter what; yet, now that I am finishing up my education as an English major, I know that there are all types of genres to learn from. My British literature teacher is currently having us read Victorian and Modern British literature and apply their themes or concepts into a challege we are currently facing. It is amazing that any kind of literature that is wholesome or good can bring a better perspective of life and the life we are currently experiencing. Doctrine & Covenants 88:118 states, "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." This I know to be true as I continue to become not only a better reader, but a more educated individual by seeking and learning from the best books.

Carl and I both love to read, and it is one thing I am very thankful we have in common. It is Carl and my's goal to one day have a library in our home, much like the Beast gives to Belle ;) Though we know this is wishful thinking, we do want our home filled with good books for our children to love and cherish throughout their life.

A New Beginning

This is my third attempt to keep and maintain a blog and this time I am determined. I feel like I have a lot of stress going on in my life, and writing is a good way to let it all out and find peace. Through this blog I hope to post little bits of happiness that exist in my life and hopefully it will inspire others to find their own.

I have been wanting to start a blog ever since Caitlin Anderson began her blog a couple years ago. It became an even greater desire once Erin Stolworthy began her blog. There was no denying it--I needed to have one of my own ;) We have been best friends ever since high school, and I have been trying to acquire some of their great strengths and apply it in my life. They give me great happiness to me. They are both so different and have become even more different and distinct since we went our seperate ways to college. Caitlin has amazing motivation in many aspects of her life--school, church callings, social life. I like to pretend to have motivation to do homework, but if you see me on my laptop I am most likely playing Spider Solitaire. Erin has a great desire to become an educated person. Her knowledge is displayed verbally and textually, and anyone can become uplifted by her insights. They are both amazing friends to be and still are a source of happiness in my life.