Birthday

Last weekend was my 20th birthday. I'll admit that it's one of my favorite holidays and that, maybe, I reminded Mark about it for a few months prior. He would never forget though, he loves to spoil me. I woke up last Saturday to birthday decorations in the living room and all my presents from Mark on the couch. He got me a couple of cute little things, but the big ones-and my favorites, were a pink mixer for baking and blue vintage boots! I don't have any pictures of them yet, but I bet I will soon. Both things caught me by surprise because they were things I had mentioned wanting, but I hadn't talked about in a while. The best part of the whole day was that it was the first Saturday that Mark didn't have to work in a couple of months. I loved loved loved getting to spend the whole weekend with him. We got a cake from Coldstone and then we went to Chili's (my sweet in-laws sent me a gift card). Mostly though, we just stayed in and watched conference and spent time together. And while Mark went to Priesthood session, my good friend Abby took me out for a treat and gave me the most adorable scarf. It was a perfect birthday. Thanks everybody!

A great way to spend your Saturday..

Check it out.

Calling all Justin Bieber fans...

I know you're out there :) Haha so I'm only a little bit embarrassed to admit that all I have listened to this week is Justin Bieber and Usher. Just a phase I'm going through.
So today was the typical Monday and I was so not in the mood for school up until I got out of the car when Mark dropped me off. This kid was just standing there smiling at me...so I smile back. He says "Do you always get dropped off?", Me-"Yep!" Him- "Oh that's cool, I'm jealous" Me-nervous laughter... Him-"So is that one of your family members or something?" Me-"um....my husband" Him-"oh".. and off he runs! Haha I was literally dying but I was trying to hold it in until he was out of sight because he already looked embarrassed enough. He looked about 16, but I guess I looked pretty young to him too! It was so funny and random it made my day to have something to laugh about before class.
Also....my hair is finally getting long.

Saturday night..

Since school has started now, I only have one job. It's somehow much less stressful being in school than it was working 40 hours a week. But poor Mark has started working 40 hours a week as well as school! It works out fine during the week, but on the weekends I miss him, and I feel bad because he comes home so tired!
Last night we decided to go to our ward activity in the canyon. This was a big decision for us because usually we are not the most social people. I think the main reason we went is because it was at Vivian Park-the place Mark proposed to me over a year ago! We mostly hung out with the kids in our Primary class, but it was fun and we are glad we went.
This morning I finally woke up and realized that I was feeling bad for myself when there are other people out there who are going through things that I just could not imagine. I read this blog and cried because I realized how selfish I have been being. So I have just decided to stop being sad. That's all.

Michael Buble song:

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

This isn't the whole song, but I just love it. School starts on Monday and I'm sitting at home writing a talk for church tomorrow while I wait for my sweetheart to get home from work. Life is good.

Today

Some days things pile up until I feel 100 years old. And then I have to remind myself that I'm only barely creeping up on 20. I know that everyone older than me reading this is laughing at me, but you know you've been there. Days like this I start out by pouting and feeling sorry for myself, then I progress to anger that things don't work out the way I want, and then regret for not loving each day of my life the way I should. Today I have been thinking about our Prophet-Thomas S. Monson and the wisdom and faith that he constantly shows.


"On occasion we need to make a second effort - and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve"

"The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility"

"Don't save something for a special occasion. Every day of your life is a special occasion"

-President Thomas S. Monson

Not photogenic

Since Mark and I have been married we barely take any pictures. It's not because we do less than when we were dating or engaged. It's not because I'm not as excited to show everyone how cute my man is. The real reason is that we (mostly me) are not very photogenic. Here is our best picture from our attempt last week:
After we took this picture I remembered when we first started dating and we wanted to take our first picture together. It went a little something like this:

I'm not sure why we never asked my roommates to help out, but it sure is a funny memory!