trunk or treat

Well it has been a fun weekend!

And as much as I love Halloween, I have to admit I'm pretty excited for it to be over. Not only because Christmas is my favorite holiday but also because all the scary movies on TV are beginning to really freak me out. And I know there is an easier solution than waiting for Halloween to be over...but the part of me that thinks I still like scary movies always wins when it comes to changing the channel or watching and getting scared, then changing the channel only after it's too late. I don't know what's happened, but the older I get the more scary movies get to me. I use to love getting scared. Now, I can't even wash my face without Matt standing behind me (massaging my back, 'cause he's sweet like that) and talking to me. Otherwise, I always get too scared and open my eyes resulting in soapy eyes which really hurts and is no fun for anyone.

So, yeah, I don't know how much more my eyes could have handled.

But anyway, as I was saying...this weekend has been so fun! Yesterday we went to dinner with my father and mother-in-law at the most delicious and cute Italian pizzeria. I wish I had pictures because my words can't do it justice. After that we went and saw In Time with Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, both of whom I love. The movie was entertaining but the real treat was spending time with my in-laws. They know how to give you a good time.

Then today we had our stakes Trunk or Treating. Matt was (suppose to be) the Grinch but ended up just being a "Christmas person" as he put it. I was Martha May Whovier, his lover, and Sawyer was Max. We got so many compliments on the originality of our costumes. I guess nobody in California had ever done Christmas for Halloween before. We're thinking we might make it a tradition.

My hair was so tall I kept knocking it on the bells and lights...and everything else.

Close up of my hair.

It weighed about 50 pounds and gave my neck a good work out.

Hi Mr. Bean. Patiently waiting while we set up.

We went all out and even decorated the tailgate with Christmas lights and decorations. It was so much fun seeing all the costumes and getting to visit with everyone. This was the first year we've handed out candy ever and it made me feel so old and mature...in a good way. That being said, on Monday Matt and I will probably go trick or treating ourselves :)

Our good friends and their brand new baby.

Trick or Treat!

I don't know if we'll ever grow out of that. We might not ever have to! Think about it. Everyone get's a hoot that we go now, and then eventually we'll have kids as an excuse to go. This way we'll know where all the good houses are to take them. You know which ones I'm talking about, where you get full size candy bars and it feels like you just won a mini lottery. Yeah, those houses.

No red, orange and yellow leaves here.

Sawyer's one and only love: my in-law's westie, Molly.

They were so happy to see each other.

Sawyer was the most behaved little pup. He even wore his antlers almost the whole time. He made his Mama proud.

As you can probably tell, we're very much ready for Christmas. I think not having the colorful leaves and hopes of a white Christmas make the Christmas cravings that much worse. We might go a little over board this year. Bring it on.

blog-land etiquette

First I have a question, in blog-land how I do answer you wonderful people's comments? Or what's the etiquette, I guess? Because nothing makes me happier (in blog-land) than hearing what you guys think, but I feel bad because I want to answer back but you wont get them! And that's a shame...a mighty big shame.

So I'm wondering if any one knows a solution.

And that's basically about it...Hope you had a wonderful almost Halloween weekend! We've had an exceptional weekend so far. A blog post soon to come.

With pictures :)

ramblings of me

For all you married people [without children or referring back to pre-pregnancy] do you ever stop and think about the fact that any day you could wake up and find out your pregnant? That you could, in one moment, one split second, find out your whole life for the rest of forever and eternity will change forever? Every once in a while I have those realizations and it's weird for me. Maybe because my whole life, well as soon as I knew what The Birds and The Bees referred to, having a baby meant you had sex and having sex was bad and only something married people do.

I've been married for over a year and sometimes I still get this realization that not only could Matt and I have a baby, but that it wouldn't be "bad." Sometimes I'm afraid that's one of the reasons we want to wait so long. Because as soon as you tell people your pregnant, they know that you *gasp* did it. But then how weird would it be to be married for over a year and not have? You might need marriage counseling if that were the case. I don't know, maybe I'm alone on this mental boat ride but it really makes me look at the way I live my life.

It makes me want to do and be better.

Confessions

It's late. What am I saying, it's 1:32AM...it's early.

I can't sleep. I can't get The Holly and the Ivy by Natalie Cole out of my head. And I can't stop that stinging in your eyes or swelling in your chest you get right before your about to cry.

Everyone who knows me knows that there are 3, ok maybe 5, things in this life that I love more than anything. They make me who I am :) in both good and bad ways.

The first. Pencils. Yeah, if you don't know me than this will sound really weird and maybe a little creepy. I'd promise it's not AT ALL, but your going to think what your going think! So... I love the smell of pencils. I love the eraser. I love the feel of the lead (or graphite) on my skin. And not in any sexual pervy way either, that's just gross guys. But I rest the cold lead on my cuticles, corner of my mouth, and corner of my eyes -- don't judge me, and it relaxes me. I have favorite brands, and brands I hate. I have an addiction or OCD some might say and I'll be the first to admit...it's weird. Like, really weird. Like, "Wow! I thought this girl was weird before, but now she's a freak!!" Haha. But I like them. And no matter how hard I've tried to abandon this weird habit, I can't.

The second, Christmas. I've written about 10 blogposts over the lash year that haven't made it past the "draft" phase, just trying to explain how amazing Christmas is and why it's so special to me. In a very teeny teeny teeny tiny nut shell, it's all about the feeling and beauty of Christmas, not so much the gifts...like at all. I don't know how my parents did what they did, because I know with 8 kids and a tight budget it could easily be more stressful than fun, but my parents really instilled the true meaning of Christmas and in a way that we all loved. They kept everything centered on family and the gospel. They explained the symbolism to every Christmas decoration or ornament, they involved us in decorating and Christmas shopping, everything! And that is what started the little Christmas fire in my heart. Since, as I've felt my Heavenly Father and the Savior's love for me, that desire to have the "Christmas" spirit (which is really the Holy Ghost) has just grown and grown. So I will always watch and listen to Christmas music in March, and July and any other time of year!

Third, and people these are not in any kind of order, my family and Sawyer. My family for obvious reasons. Like anyone's family, they can drive you bonkers, but ultimately I love them and am one blessed lady to be apart of such an awesome good looking group of people. And Sawyer because he has become my unborn child. Seriously, when we watch a scary movie where a child gets kidnapped I immediately imagine it's Sawyer and I want to cry. And before I even realize how ridiculous that is (who would ever kidnap a dog?!?!) I'm already choking up and Matt's asking what's wrong and we're having a conversation about how much we'd be willing to pay ransom for our precious puppy. He is basically a person, ok? And completely a part of our family.

Fourth, my husband. Hands down I would give up everything I've listed already without a doubt for Matthew. I'll always remember a story my seminary teacher told us in 9th grade. It was actually more of a scenario, but anyway...He said, oh and by the way, this is an important fact, this teacher happened to be a younger man that was "super attractive," his wife was gorgeous, everyone thought he was awesome, his kids were adorable, just an all around cool beans teacher that got everyone super stoked on seminary, MEANING: he had what appeared a good, happy life. Ok, so he said, "If I was on a sinking boat with my wife and children and could only save 1 person, it would be my wife EVERY TIME. No matter who was on that boat with me, my parents, my brothers or sister...I'm only half of me without my wife." That has always stuck with me. Before I thought it was sad, but normal, for people to love each other and then have kids and suddenly their kids are their world, not their spouse. I've never had a child, so I don't know what that love is like and Matt and I talk and dream about the day we'll have kids of our own, but will I ever love them MORE than my husband? Never. I imagine the love must be different, not more or less. The difference is Matt is my other half, not my future children. I won't make it back into the celestial kingdom without him, just like he won't make it back without me. I can't save myself without saving him too. I love him. And I would give anything for him.

Fifth, the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'm not a perfect person. Not even close! But I have a strong testimony and an even stronger desire to try to be the daughter of God I know I am.

And that is why my eyes are stingy and my chest is swelly...swollen?...swelly. My Heavenly Father is just that, my father. And he knows my weirdness, imperfections and all, and loves me regardless. He is perfect in every way and yet he truly loves me. And not just me, but everyone. Every person. The homeless I see every day. The guy at the bank who asks too many questions. The girl who I made fun of in my last post...he loves her just as much as he loves me, which is A LOT!

After my last post I started thinking a lot about the kind of "teasing" I do. And I couldn't help but feel icky and ashamed of myself. Not that I thought her advice was totally hilarious, because it was, but that I made fun of her for it. So I want to apologize to anyone who read it and wasn't up-lifted.

Because up-lifting is all I want to do.

...while I cuddle with my Hubby and pup in front of the fire, listening to Christmas music with my pencil, of course :)

and why is the divorce rate so high?

The most lovely and fun part about blogging and exploring other peoples blogs is that you get a lot of advice from very [sarcasm]--> smart people.

Saturday I woke up feeling pretty lousy and by 9PM I was moaning and groaning on the couch. By Monday Matt had joined me. We were fevery. We were achey. We were sick.

And it sucked major lame beans.

Except for the part that inspired this lovely post by yours truly, me.

As Matt and I lay sprawled on the couch piled high with blankets and pillows, Alka-seltzer wrappers and cough drops, we took the opportunity to do some internetz browsing. And we found a blog, that shall remain nameless, that just really made us laugh and hit our funny bones.

There are certain types of bloggers, and although I'm not paid to professionally label blogs, I think it's safe to say hers would have gone under the "I'm so smart, I know exactly what I'm talking about, even though I really don't, because you can clearly tell by the poop dripping from my lips....Also, I'm very deep and poetic and that's why I get tattoos of skeletons and pumpkins because I have a spiritual connection to creepy things like that. Oh! And I like to have tattoos of boobs because I think guys like that."

And although, that could very possibly be true, I find it humorous when such a person would think their marriage advice would not only be accurate but, should in-fact, be shared with the world.

So because I also am very deep and poetic, and even though I may not have tattoos of spider webs or a hand flipping you off, I'm going to share all the marriage advice I wish someone would have given me...

Don't make out with other people.

Always flush the toilet after you go number 2...or number 1 for that matter. People don't like flushing other peoples numbers.

Don't punch your spouse in the face.

Have "girls night" at LEAST 6 times a week. Because it's very important to get away from your husband and get marriage counseling from your friends, they're really smart and know exactly what they're talking about. Also, how else are you suppose to know your husband isn't the only crappy one?

Try to remember to hold hands. Then people will think your in love, and it's easier to fake

Remember to say "I love you." For the same reason as holding their hand.

Turn The Real Housewives down when he's talking to you. It makes him think you care.

Make sure to set an alarm reminding you of your date nights because you owe it to each other to spend time together at least...twice a year.

Always have dinner ready on time, because if you don't he'll get angry and possibly leave you.

If it's your spouses birthday, put out. It's the law.

And the last and very most important one Never ever ever lose yourself in them. Because then you'll be lost, hence the losing yourself part.

:)

Am I terrible? The scary part is that I took a lot of this advice from the friend mentioned above. Her big kicker at the end was that, "Marriage is really really hard. It's the hardest thing I've ever been a part of. But...it's worth it, because I know if something really bad happens, he'll be there."

I guess that's the real advice friends...if something really bad happens...your spouse will always be there.

*Face in palm*

code words

My little brother has been living with us for the last few months, and since then Matt and I have found ourselves sneaking out a lot. Basically we're mean people and ditch him at home to watch and babysit Sawyer. (Stefen has been such a good sport about this and I hope we haven't been too terribly boring for him.)

The last little get away Matt and I went on was just too amazing not to document, and we have declared it as Our Beach and made it one of our code words. And something they don't teach you in marriage prep class is the importance of code words, especially if your still newly weds and have people living with you. Basically it means "Let's run away to that beach we love so much so we can make out and cuddle and reenact that scene from Grease where Sandy and Danny are playing in the water." (except maybe not the last part.)

Thanks for the warning, because their food was delish!

See? My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

It was so good we had to celebrate with a little smoochy smooch.

Next stop...surfing =)

Good thing we looked both ways..

Bye train!

"No Trespassing"...

And then 2 seconds later...

Welcome to Paradise.

Man, I love code words.