Something I came across...

My Dad asked me to go through the millions of boxes of things they have been lugging around since I graduated high school so I started sorting through them tonight. I found so many things that took me through memory lane. All my favorite pictures, letters, and cards from loved ones. It was so fun reading what people wrote to me and thinking about memories I have forgotten about. One thing I came across especially caught my eye. I found a poem my sister wrote for me one Christmas about nine years ago. I remember she was getting ready to leave for college at BYU and I was so sad she was leaving me behind. I remember opening it that morning and how special it made me feel. I have always admired my sister for so many reasons. She has such a fun personality and it is never the same at home without her here. One part of her poem says :

Sometimes I want to cover your eyes,

hide your from heartbreak, suffering and lies.

Not long from now, I'll go far away,

your hand I can't hold and show you the way.

I guess reading this poem just made me realize even more how much my sister has meant to me throughout my life. She has always been a best friend and someone I can turn to for comfort or advice. My whole life she always looked after me and she still does. I am lucky to have such an amazing sister. Someone I'll be friends with forever.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was my mother's birthday so I thought I would share some pics and write a little about the day and about my wonderful mom. We woke up this morning and went to church and mom gave a really great lesson! When we got home Rich and went to work and made mom a birthday dinner. We told mom she wasn't allowed to help but she kept insisting so it ended up being the three of us in the kitchen! Rich made his famous rolls which were incredible too! After dinner and cake (of course!) the guys had to go to a church meeting so mom and I took a nice long nap and then walked on the beach. It was a really nice and relaxing day. And her big surprise was that Matt, Jess, Dad, and Rich and I went in on a gift for Mom which is tickets for her to go see the American Idol concert next week which she is THRILLED about! Anyway, I just wanted to tell my mom how much I appreciate her. She is an amazing woman. I admire so much about her and am blessed to have her in my life! Happy Birthday, Mom!

FINALLY! (I know I am so bad at this!)

Just wanted to give everyone a little update since my last post was in 2008 :). Rich and I finally graduated this past May. What a relief! Since then we have been on the move! Two weeks after we graduated we went on an amazing cruise to the Caribbean. I was in heaven all week. It was the first cruise I have ever been on. We stopped in the Cayman Islands, Belize, Honduras, and the Florida Keys. We met so many great people and did things I will never forget! Once we returned back to Utah we did laundry and packed up my car and drove to South Carolina to spend the summer with my parents! (Notice the pic. on the left-my dad mows the lawn in this hat to "protect his face and neck from the sun" and Rich and I can't get enough of it! Just love my Dad). Anyway, Rich was so sweet and knew I really wanted to come home for a bit so he helped make that possible and we have had a blast! We have been working at our friends resort here in Surfside Beach and on our days off we are either at the beach or doing some other tourist-y thing. I have been trying to show Rich everything! Our addictions this summer have been watching Friday Night Lights (the series), watching the Bachelorette, taking night walks on the beach with Marley, coming home to Mama's cooking :), cuddling Buster (yes he is STILL alive and kicking!!), and sitting out on the patio during huge thunderstorms. My parents have spoiled us! We are excited to share it all with Rich's parents and little brother who will be coming to visit this week! Anyway, coming to Myrtle Beach was kind of last minute and very unexpected for me so I have loved every minute of it. Next on our crazy agenda is we are moving to Brussels, Belgium! Rich was able to get an internship over there for a marketing company and is very excited. I am so proud of him. He is always chasing his dreams and making it happen and I get to come along for the ride! I have never seen the kid so excited about something! He doesn't start until the beginning of Sept. but we are going out on Aug. 12th to do some backpacking around Europe with his brother Steve for a few weeks. I am so unbelievably thrilled about this! I didn't travel much growing up and then I marry Rich and I am seeing the world! I am a lucky girl and feel so lucky to be able to do so many incredible thing with such a fun guy :). Anyway, I have made a promise to myself that I will blog about everything we do in Europe so everyone hold me to it!

Sweet Carolina!!

My cute mom and Marley! (he was my wedding gift from Rich which then became my gift to my parents! :)
Mom and Alisia (my brother's girlfriend who we love!)

Night out with the girls! Jess was with us but somehow didn't make the pic.

Me and my sweets

Sisters!

So this Christmas we flew home to South Carolina and spent it with my family! It was so great! It had already been about six months since I have seen them which is torture for me so needless to say I loved every minute of it. I wish I had more pics of my dad and brother but I was a slacker with the picture taking. Anyway, we spent the week shopping, eating, going to movies, playing on the beach, golfing, hot tubbing, visiting friends, and watching a few games at Beach Ball Classic! It was so much fun having everyone together again. It gets harder and harder for me to fly back to Utah! The weather there was nice and warm the whole week we were there too which automatically made my week. Anyway, we had such a great holiday and feel so blessed for everything we have been able to do and enjoy. Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful week and for all you do!

First Christmas!

So, Rich and I exchanged the gifts we got for each other early because I requested money so I could go shopping for clothes (that I desperately need) before we fly home to Myrtle Beach to see my family! We had a lot of fun! I gave Rich some pajama pants and a beanie and he gave me an umbrella so the blizzards won't leave me looking like a wet dog by the time I get to any building and MONEY so I can shop! I LOVE to shop and haven't been able to do much of it since we got married being that we are both in school full time and are hardly able to work so I am thrilled! I felt bad cause I stuck to the $50 limit we gave ourselves and Richard did not so his presents were sad compared to mine! Sorry hun I'll do more next year! :) Anyway, it has been so fun getting our first Christmas tree and decorating it together. It has made our apartment smell amazing and really gets you in the Christmas spirit! We hope everyone has a memorable and safe Christmas this year!

ROCKBAND!

Ok.. so this picture really does say it all! I am officially addicted to Rockband! I have never played it until last night and I am now ready to swipe the good ole credit card so we can play it every night of our lives! Our friends Christa and Randall had us over for dinner last night (which was amazing! ) and then we spent the next hour or two rockin out and disturbing the people who live above them! (Sorry! we couldn't help ourselves!!!) Anyway, needless to say we had a blast and now I am trying to figure out a way to make this a christmas gift for myself this year! :) Also, I was quite proud of my husband.. he was pro with the guitar and drums! I sang and played the bass and couldn't help but dance the whole time. Christa and her husband killed us of course and were true rockstars due to the hours of playing they had on us, but we will be better competition for them once I convince my husband that Rockband is now a necessity! Thanks for the fun night guys!

Hmm....

So last night my sweet mother in law took all of the girls out (Ash and Ang and me) to see Twilight! We were thrilled and I was SO excited all day to see it! And I have to say, it was kind of a let down!! Does anyone else agree with me? I have talked to so many girls and they absolutely loved it so maybe it is just me?! I thought the beginning of the the movie really struggled. I don't like the guy playing Jacob, and Edward was a little too weird. He looked like something was wrong with him (other than the fact that he is a vampire) the whole time! Not in a cute way like in the book but almost an odd, creepy, stalker-ish kinda way. ha. I will say the second half of the movie was much better and I started to like Edward a little better. I don't know. I am obsessed with the books so much so I guess for me nothing will be able to top them! Anyway, thanks Linda for taking us out! We had a really great time and sure had some good laughs! :)