The holidays are coming!

Its been a while since I've updated so I'm going to try to compile a bunch into one.
First off you all know me, and you all know my mom. You know that I'm a little premature on the holiday cheer thing-- always. Can't help it, don't want to help it, won't help it. Thanks [:
So we put up our tree!!
We leave December 19th so we wanted it to be up for a full month since its our first holiday together. Trust me I'm a planner. I already know all the things we must do together and when for our full holiday experience as a married couple. Haha. [: my husband is so patient.

Garth set it all up for me

 And then like a man he put on the lights.

 Then he put on our star! But when we plugged it in... it didn't work haha

And a week later we fixed our star!

I love our first tree. Makes me pretty happy.
Then that night we had kyle and bailee over to watch Elf because Kyle has never seen it.
In the middle of Elf we got a text saying "Emergency C section happening now." From Anna.
We were all a little surprised because we hadn't heard anything about labor.
But then we received pictures of Paris and we loved her instantly.

She's the cutest thing you ever saw right? Wanna know why?
Because she looks like MEEEE [; haha
But seriously. Check me out on the left her on the right.

We love our Christmas quilt. Do you guys recognize it?

Its our guest book from our wedding. 

It adds to our ever decorated house.

 "Snow Place Like Home."

 My chalkboard.

Anyways. I love the holidays. AND the snow.
Garth and I are making our own feast this year. SO EXCITED. Then we are heading down to Logan to see the family and go black Friday shopping.
YIPPEE.
Happy holidays everyone!

No School Today

      

Today my classes were cancelled...again. They were cancelled last Thursday too. Gotta love it! 

This morning I slept in until 9 o'clock! I know..super lazy. But the night before I only got three hours of sleep, and that's actually happened twice this week so I was sleepy. I was hoping that I would open my eyes to a snow covered Rexburg... but no such luck.

This is what I woke up to last Thursday: 

But thats okay! Last Thursday I made the most of the snow and Garth and I went and took our Christmas card pictures. (early I KNOW) But I didn't want to have to wait for another good snow and it possibly be too late! I snapped this picture while we were out:

Beautiful right? The world is so much prettier when its painted white! I love it. While I was walking around in the snow I made Garth promise he'd never make me live somewhere it doesn't snow. He agreed. Snow makes me way too happy.


Anyways, back to the present.
Yesterday was halloween and I was a little sad to take down my cute decorations today. I felt so conflicted! I was trying to fill their spots with just some wintery things that aren't christmasy. But I found myself wishing I could just do Christmas decorating so it would be done and just how I want it! I will withstand for two weeks. (I want it to be up for a month before we leave town.. we leave for Colorado the 18th). People can judge all they want. I've always been this way [:
I wish Halloween was a little more exciting for me. I don't get all excited to dress up and do scary or silly things. I just wanted to make ghost shaped pancakes in the morning and a jack o lantern cake for the ward party. The ward party was lots of fun... I love our ward so much.

Here's my cake... It was a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting but I forgot to take a picture before everyone started eating..   
I imagine Halloween is more exciting when you have children who care and like it. At least I hope so.

Today I flipped the whole house. I rearranged the living room and completely shifted the way it was set up. It opened the room up and looks really nice I think. It also left space for the spot I want the Christmas tree. I'm big into planning ahead.

I did a small craft today because I felt like it. The first thing I did was make a sweater tree. I saw them at target and they were spendy. So I took an old sweater and cut it into two triangles, cut out a circle bottom and sewed it all together. Then I took a 1$ thrift store pillow and used the stuffing to stuff the tree. It was cute and simple. Then I made two red trees to go in the other room. I just glued cardstock to make a cheap version of the cones that you can buy at craft stores for too much money. Then I covered it in scrap fabric I have from a pillow I made. I then painted a design on it.. and they're a little silly but I like them [: They were also free so I just can't beat that. Don't worry they're in the closet... my house isn't christmasy YET.

This weekend is going to be a STAY at home weekend. We have soooo much to do. We both have exams next week and big assignments to get completed this weekend. Next week is going to be one of those crock pot quick dinner weeks and we need this Saturday to prepare for it. 

It took me all day to rearrange the house and deep clean so Garth was a gem and made me dinner when he got home. YAY. We had tacos and some cake for dessert. LOVE him.Then we started reading the book that we want to read together. We have several we want to finish by Christmas.

But overall its been a good week. We had people over Monday night for FHE and to watch the 49ers game. It was fun, but of course we got no sleep. Then Tuesday night Garth had a basketball game at 10:15pm so again we got no sleep. (We wake at 3:15am for those of you who are confused). Then last night we had the ward party and our neighbors came over after for a little while. We love where we live and we love our ward. We've got great friends here and are excited for the good times ahead!!
LOVE married life. Its the way to go.


Oh ps Bath and Body works has some new scents and sales.

These were on sale for half off for buying 4. (Which is cheaper than buying 1 scent and a plugin and the plugin counts as one of the 4). Super great. And then they give you tons of coupons at the register. So naturally I am using a coupon to go back when they have their 2 for $20 on their $20 candles! Gotta get my Christmas scents. (I also had a gift card from my husband.. so they were free for me..).

My Mother

 Today the snow reminded me of the holidays, which always makes me miss my momma.
One of the main reasons is that she always makes the holidays so special. Anybody who knows her knows that she's the best decorator around. Her house is always looking good, and its always got that super "homey" feel that you can't just create. She made our house somewhere I loved to be and I miss it right now.
My mom is the funniest woman. My friends always loved her because of her sarcastic wit. She could instantly cheer you up because she always had a perfect sarcastic comment to make to the person who was rude to you. She would defend her kids to the death. I can't think of one time I needed her that she wasn't there for me. Whether it was a teacher who messed up my grade, or a girl at school who slashed my tires, my mom had my back. She had no problem marching into the school to make a scene if thats what her kid needed. She always made sure we were choiced into the best schools and that we were staying on top of our school work.
Parent teacher conferences with her she had no fear. If you were doing well she told you. If you had missing assignments she asked you why right then and there in front of the teacher.
I watched her "Kindly" inform my teacher exactly what she thought of her when she treated me unfairly. (She kicked me off all the DECA projects after I broke up with her assistant)
I've always known she'd have my back, so long as I was doing what was right. If I was doing something wrong or something she disagreed with she was quick to set me straight, and for that I'm grateful. She had no fear. She was there to be my mom, and because of that we've become best friends.
My mom is one of the least judgmental women you will ever meet. I know I brought home some friends that she could have easily judged. Instead, my mom showered everyone with kindness. Many of my friends still talk about how much they love the moments where my mom would come down in the basement and just talk with us. Everyone loved her, and all of the nonmembers were surprised to find a "mormon mom" who treated them so nicely.
I believe that it was partly her doing that so many of my friends were able to take the discussions at our house. They felt welcomed and accepted by my mother.
Besides all those great things my mom DOES for me, we just had some good times!
There were many long drives late at night to go get Sonic.
During the cold months her, kelsey, and I would go get starbucks and drive around looking at the lights. We would laugh and compete at guessing who the artist was on the Christmas station, and we're all reallllly good at it. (we listen to it a lot)
My mom would take us out of school sometimes to go shopping and spend the day with her. (Only if we had good grades and no missing assignments). These were the best days. Her kids are her best friends, and she definitely was good at making us feel that way.

I distinctly remember a day (i think in october) we drove to estes park. Kelsey and I had Christmas music playing because we so badly wanted the holidays. We wanted snow too. So my mom drove in the mountains until we hit snow. We got out and built a snowman and had a snowball fight before we drove back home. Its one of my favorite memories. Its something probably no other mom could say she's done for her kids, and no other kid could say there mom drove til she hit snow for them! Kelsey my Mom and I spent a lot of days like that. Shopping at little craft stores and old christmas shops. I miss those times, but I look forward to more this December.
I've watched my mom stress and worry and work to make Christmas the best for us every year. She always wants the perfect gifts and wants to see her children happy. I know it has gotten harder as we have all grown, but I have the fondest memories of Christmas. I mostly just remember things I got from "santa" and our traditions. I know where we all sit, I know how we open gifts, I know what my mom will give me on Christmas Eve, and I know our house will have three beautiful trees.
She's an extremely giving person. I've watched her give and give and give and lots of times get nothing back. I've seen her fulfill callings in church, volunteer at all of our schools, take care of the rental properties, keep an extremely clean beautiful house, and always look good herself. She's one of those women who always makes sure the house is nice and she looks good before her husband comes home. She bends over backwards for everyone, and for that I admire her. 

Point is she's awesome, and I miss her. Everyone always makes fun of me because I want to move back to Colorado more than anything. Most of the reason is to be closer to my mom. Miss her a lot, and I want to be able to repay her for all that she's done for me.

Love our Life.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I LOVE GARTH AND I's LIFE TOGETHER!.
Its so great. SO SO SO great.
We have the best ward.
The best friends.
The best relationship.
The cutest little apartment.
So much fun.
and we are so blessed!
Love it.

Garth is so good to me. There are days where I'm just overwhelmed by his sweetness. He is always so tired it makes me sad for him. He's in extremely difficult heavy workload classes. He wakes up at 3:15am everyday, he helps with dinner nights that I'm doing homework, he studies like crazy, and he finds time to just do little things for me/with me despite all his work. I'm so lucky!
Plus he's constantly telling me how much he loves me, always complimenting me, and is always the first to apologize. I definitely married above myself. Everyday his actions remind me that I can be better. Gotta step it up and be what he deserves [:

Tonight we had FHE with two other families (The Murris and the Urrutias) at our apartment. It was quite fun. We had a lesson (taught by me about "Love Maps") Its a chapter in a marriage book I've been reading and I thought it was really really good. So that was fun.
Then we carved pumpkins and had hot chocolate and hot apple cider. YUM!
I love our neighbors. They're our best friends here in the Burg and its so much fun. We're so blessed to know them, they make our lives that much better. After we carved pumpkins we played some Super Smash (its a nerdy tradition we seem to have). Now Garth is asleep and I'm waiting for our guest to arrive. (We have a friends friend staying here tonight so they can get their engagements here in Rexburg)

I'm a creeper... and I stole some of their photos so you can see who they are! 

 This above is Angie and Kyle

This is Tyson and DD aka Dorothy. [: 

I just love every little thing about this life right now! We are so happy.
I work out with my neighbor DD, garth works out with our neighbor Tyson. He details cars with our other neighbor Kyle, and Angie kyle's wife is going to teach me to crochet!
DD and I are currently doing this "healthy eating" plan together and its nice to have a friend in that.

I'm so grateful that marriage provides that step that takes you out of the world as much as you can be in this life. So many worldly things just don't matter now that we're married and its so nice. I feel so bad for women who have a man who doesn't treat them right, and they don't feel they deserve better. I feel bad for women without religion, women raising their children alone, and women who still find worth in the world. There's just so much more to life. Nothing frustrates me more than people who aren't honest with each other, who don't have common goals, and who don't treat each other well but yet somehow think that they are meant to be. It takes more!
 I'm grateful for parents who were married and loved each other and for the gospel and the direction it has given and continues to give me. I have a strong testimony of the gospel and I'm proud to be a member of this church. I feel confident that it will bless my family and children and I know that it blesses my marriage everyday.

Goodness life is so good [:

Conference Weekend

Whoo this past week/weekend was long!
Last week Garth told me we were going to be going to Salt Lake for some important things that weekend and I politely informed in that if I was still drowning in homework he would be going without me. [;
Garth refuses to leave me for that long. He won't go sleep somewhere else without me by his side (even though he's flown me home to see my family without him...). But needless to say I still love him that much more for it.
So we made a compromise. I worked my butt off all week and told him that Thursday night I would pull an all nighter. If I got all my work done that night I would go, and if not then I tried real hard, and he had to go without me. He said deal and we smiled and went on our merry way.
Well let me tell you its quite difficult to pull an all nighter when you wake up at 3:15 am everyday. You're not used to staying up late. So Wednesday night I stayed up a little past midnight (that meant I'd been awake from 21 hours) doing all the homework I could. Then I stayed up Thursday night until about 2 sewing and woke at 3:15 for work. I did homework after class, and sewed for six hours. I still wasn't finished. SO I had to tell Garth I couldn't go.
But we worked it out that he went to the reunion with Kyle and Bailee and then rode back with them. And would go with me to Salt Lake the next day. That meant I got to sew all day again! I started sewing around 5pm and didn't stop until almost 1am. But by that time I was just pooped and frustrated that it wasn't going as fast as I wanted it to. Not too mention I was feeling like an old lady with my back all achey. Making cording is a tedious process, and I wanted everything to look perfect. SO from lack of sleep I decided that I just needed to go to bed and not ruin the dang things. So I went to bed at 1 pretty tired and woke up at 6. I got up and cleaned my house, packed, and drove with Garth to Logan. We watched conference (I passed out) and then drove to Salt Lake to see his dad for dinner. We drove back to Logan did homework due at midnight, painted pumpkins with his sister and her family, then got up the next day and watched the morning session, then drove home. It was lonnngggg.
We got home and turned on the second session and ate some delicious homemade creamy vegetable soup that I had made and watched the rest of conference. After, we took a long nap together. It was heavenly. Then it was on to homework we hadn't done for the weekend.
SO that was an interesting experience! But today I decided that I deserve a break [; probably not but I took one anyways.
After work and school I came home and ordered some pictures I've been meaning to get printed. Then I wandered walmart and the craft store for a while getting all the little things I keep thinking we need but forgetting to get. I went and bought my friend a birthday present and then I came home and took a long shower. I made pretzel dogs for dinner--weird I know but I had a craving. Garth and I went for a walk and took pictures in the fall leaves and I just enjoyed the day. We had to postpone the FHE i planned until tomorrow because he has an exam tomorrow that he's been studying for all day. We will do FHE after the stress of taking it is over.
I get to sleep in until 5 tomorrow so I'm just going to sew tonight (i SHOULD finish tonight fingers crossed!!) and I will clean my house in the morning after I do my Brit Lit reading.

The main lesson that I learned last week is that I just love being married to Garth so much. When you read about the week and all we did it probably doesn't sound very fun, but I honestly enjoyed it just because I love being with him so much. Thats the fun thing about being married. You're always with your best friend and you just get to enjoy even the smallest of moments because you're together. Garth makes me the happiest girl in the world and I feel complete being with him, even if it is just taking a Sunday nap. Sometimes we just sit at the table and do homework but him being there next to me just makes me smile.
I'm so grateful for him and all that he does for me. He's a dang hard worker and I'm so blessed to call him mine!