M.O.V.I.N.G.

WE'RE MOVING!!

Where are we moving? I haven't a clue. When are we moving? Well, before Sept 30th, I can tell you that much. Oh snap! This is only one of the few exciting things have happened in the Bartlett home. The first...we're finally back from California and Idaho! You probably didn't even know we had left...

Side Note: We went to California to visit Matt's parents, I had a cardiologist appointment, yaddah yaddah yaddah. THEN! Straight from the airport we drove up to Idaho to visit my brother and sister-in-law with my other brother Stefen and Mama.

It was really nice to get away, but I'll tell you, I've never missed home more. I will never take for granted waking up in my own bed, in a familar place, with just Matt looking at me instead of some hispanic gardner peering in through the window. Ok, it really wasn't that bad but they're doing construction so there was always somebody out there working...and I bet they could look in and see us. My point is, there truly is no place like home! Which actually wont be home for much longer...but I'll get to that later.

Concerning Idaho. I have a confession. I think I warmed up to it a little while we were there. It was just super good visiting Artene and Caryn. We never get to see them, and this was only the 2nd time I've been to their home in Rexburg. Caryn is so cute! She's completely decorated it with crafts she did herself...I was seriously impressed. Don't ask me how she does it all while taking care of Lili, my niece. Speaking of Lili, I love her. Usually she's really shy at first but since we were in her turf she warmed up to us so much more quickly. She is seriously the cutest little girl ever! I would give some examples but then I'd spend the whole day trying to put her awesomeness into words and still come short. However, you know what they say IS worth 1,000 words? A picture. And I have 6 of those =)

Meet Lili...

Isn't she so stinking cute!! I gave her my sunglasses

during sacrament meeting. Yeah, we were all dying.

Now, just imagine her saying, "See ya, Sucka."

Haha.

I taught her this pose.

This is just her being her.

=)

She calls me "Aunt Nanny" and this is

Aunt Nanny giving her a lolli pop!

Besides what are Aunt and Uncles for if not sugar overdoses? Haha.

And now for the sad tale of why we are moving from our home. We were actually planning on living here in our nice little condo for a while. Well, until I finished school and stuff. But then we met with our friend Chris to pick up my new Mac laptop (BOOYA!! Matt surprised me with it and I have to say...it is awesome!!) Anyway, moving on. So Chris and his fiance Katie are getting married...

Another Side Note: Chris and Katie have been long awaiting this engagement!! We are all so stinking excited!! Aaaaah!!

so they're getting married and we were just talking about that and he brings up their future new apartment. And it sounded AmAzInG! We were kind of curious. He told us he was going to pick up the key later that day and invited us to go with him and check it out. We couldn't refuse! All this talk about new, nice apartments, with actual AC (not lame swamp coolers that make everything sticky and moldy) really made us start thinking about moving. But being the responsible adults we are, we thought before we do anything we should check with our landlords and see when our contract ended etc. etc. Just to see what was up so we don't leave them hanging. Well!! We were shocked at the response we got.

Our landlord responded instantly by telling us our lease didn't end until Nov 30th, which is false, and that before we can move out we have to paint the walls back to ugly white, AND that we were really demanding and if we moved out she wouldn't give us a good referral. Whaaaaa? Ok, first of all, AFTER she opened her eye balls and looked at the contract it does end Sept 30th, like we thought it did. Second of all we were planning on painting the walls back white, hello? Remember, Brian the convict painter? We're tight. Thirdly, how in the hoozy have we been demanding?? And fourthly...lady we don't need your referral. All of our previous landlords love us. Vickie, from Belmont, pretty much wants Matt and still calls us all the time. Our landlord now should love us! We pay rent on time. We've completely cleaned and fixed up her place. Our neighbors have told us, "I've never seen that apartment look better" And believe me, I know! I baptized this place before we moved in, down to taking off all the light fixtures and vents and fans. It use to be nasty, straight up nasty.

I'm just really confused by the whole situation actually. The way she was talking...sounded like she didn't want us to move out. Like threatening us would really work? Eww. How does she think that would make us want to stay? If anything now we feel uncomfortable and awkward. So...now we're moving no matter what =| And just like that. BAM! I have no idea where we'll be in 2 months. Wow. Trippy.

I actually think it's quite perfect. Maybe this is the push we needed to get out of Provo. Orem here we come!! Hahahahaha!!! Oh goodness. Provo to Orem? At least it's something. We looked at 2 apartments today - we act fast - after all school starts next week for me and the week after that is Fort Brider, and tomorrow we're looking at 2 more. *Sighs* I love that life keeps me on my toes.

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

I had one of the most humbling experiences two days ago (Sunday, August 1st 2010.) My Dad was flying in from Arizona, he had driven my grandma to her summer home, and my Mom thought it'd be a nice idea to get all the kids we could and surprise him at the airport! We had a fun drive with me, Matt and Chad all visiting in the car. I pretty much love my husband and my family! We're super awesome =) But anyway! Back to my story. When my Dad saw us all waiting there he just smiled so big, with teary eyes and gave us big hugs. I could tell it was a bitter sweet moment for him because all of his children were there but one...it made me miss Jesse, more than I usually do.

After that we decided to visit the oh-so-beautiful temple square. And I don't care how hot and miserable the weather is...you can't help but be happy and cheerful when you go to the temple. Besides, the last time we'd all been there like that was when Matt and I were sealed. My parents were sealed in that temple too, making it especially special to me. Except, I'm so mad because I was taking tons of pictures, as usual...it's a horrible obsession I have, and MY CAMERA CARD WAS FULL!! Bah! So I only got a few pictures of the magic. But this is where the humbling experience came in...

My Nephew Angelo.

We were all by the Eternity Pool, or whatever it's called, watching my nephews curiously touch and look at the water and this man came up to my Dad. He was nicely dressed, clean, I never would have guessed he was struggling financially, but then kind of fumbling with his hands and over his words he humbly asked my Dad if he needed a watch. My Dad rejected his offer not realizing at first but when he saw the look in the mans eyes, he knew he was really scared and hurting. After talking with him for a while my Dad found out this man's name was Daniel. He had a wife and 3 little girls waiting for him back at a Motel, all hungry and all waiting to be evicted that night at 10PM. His parents were serving a mission and when his business failed, he had no one to go to for help. And this is where we found him. Absolutely no food, no longer a place to live, and not begging...but humbly trying to sell every and any possession he had to support his family.

When Matt and I heard what Daniel and his family were struggling with it broke our hearts. Yes, my family has seen hard times, Matt's family has seen even harder times...but neither of us have ever been homeless. It only took us looking at each other to know we had to help him.

It's weird, looking back at my life in the last few months it's like I can literally see the Lord's hand in my life. It's like he's the one putting ideas in my head. Simple little thoughts I'd have...turn out to make the biggest difference, to me anyway. The fact that months before Jesse passed away, for some reason, I started taking mental notes about the way he laughed, the way he walked, the way his eyes squinted when he smiled. These are just small examples, but as small as they may seem they are so very precious to me now. Another example is this: A few weeks ago, Matt and I decided to sell all of our extra mattresses but one. We had always planned on having two extra beds for guests to sleep on but for some reason we suddenly decided, "Nah! Let's just go with one!" Since we had sold the beds, all that cash had just been sitting in my wallet. I had all these ideas about what we could do with the extra money: Put it in my savings account, put it towards our move to California, put it towards the bikes Matt and I want to get. But I kept getting this feeling to hold off. And after about a week of debating with myself I decided to wait and just hold onto it. I couldn't shake this feeling that an emergency would come up and Matt and I would need it. So, even though it ridiculous to have wads of cash in your wallet...there I was carrying it around day after day.

And it wasn't until this particular Sunday that Matt looked at me and asked, "Do you have any cash with you?" DUH! I'd only been lugging it around for weeks now. Haha. That I started to think maybe this was the emergency I was preparing for. Matt literally ran to our car and got all the cash out of my wallet. At first it made me a little nervous, I'd been saving it for an emergency...but then my heart became full of the Saviors love and I knew immediately that if it was the Lord in my situation he wouldn't even hesitate. Matt and I again exchanged just a glance before I asked if I could be the one to give it to him. My sweet husband just smiled at me and said, of course. We walked over to Daniel and I took his hand in mine. When he felt the bills in his hand he just looked at me. I probably looked like a fool, I was grinning so big, but I felt soooooooo good. I felt so much love for this man and his family. I felt like the Lord had trusted me to be a tool in his hands! It was such a strong, overwhelming feeling I can't even describe it. But I could not stop smiling. He kept thanking us over and over and all I could think to say was, "I feel blessed that we could help you." I then told him, "Go be with your family. Enjoy the sabbath with them." By now he had tears streaming down his face. Me and my family all hugged and with that decided to take the same advice and get some dinner.

Right before my Dad told us about who he'd Met, Daniel.

The whole experience was just amazing. I am so grateful for my parents! What an example they have been to me. I am so incredibly blessed to have Matt not only in my life but as my husband. He is such an example to me every day. He works so hard to provide for me and give me nice things...I feel so spoiled sometimes and it scares me because I never want to be one of those women. But how comforting to know, he really does have his heart in the right place. He spoils me because his personality is a giving one. It's comforting because as his wife, I know his love doesn't end there...he is always looking for opportunities to give to others as well. I truly am so in love with him and his beautiful spirit. How imperfect and undeserving I am, but how grateful I am that days when my weaknesses reveal themselves the most, I have a wonderful husband who is there taking me into his arms, and loving me...

no matter what.

Ho Ho Ho

I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS!

Yeah, Something you should know about me...I'm a Christmas fanatic. Look at the picture. Need I say more? Christmas is magical.

P.S. I want Christmas!

The End

honeymoonin

I'm baaaaack! Yay! Did you miss me? Haha.

I do apologize for the big gap in my blog posts, I know it probably ruined everyone's life *sarcasm* =) but it's OK now, because I'm BACK! Haha. Plus...you do realize...I've been a busy woman! I mean, I got married, I went on a honeymoon to Kauai, and now we are finally, slowly settling back into "normal life." Ha! If there is such a thing for newly weds. Just putting aside the whole - living with someone new, and not just any someone, but a BOYsomeone...so many transitions in so little time. Life is crazy!

Even with all the craziness life has to offer...I have to say I feel so blessed to have such an amazing man by my side through everything. I don't know what I'd do without my, Matthew =) And we're MARRIED. It's official. I did it! And guess what? It turned out beautifully! Remember my satanic florist? She actually pulled through! I was so thrilled. Once I get my pictures from the photographer I'll definitely post them.As far as the honeymoon in Hawaii (my first time I've ever been there) it was magical! We got to do so many fun things! Snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, helicopter tour, pier jumping...every day was an adventure!

This is in Hanalei Bay

At the Princeville airport - 1st class, baby!

SilverFalls Ranch - We met so many sweet people here.

families are forever and ever and ever

This picture was taken 10 days after my wedding. Little did I know, it would be the last picture I took of my little brother.

I love this photo.

This was taken on the 3rd of July. This was the last day I saw Jesse before he collapsed Wednesday morning July 7th and died at 10:58AM. He's the handsome young man on the far left with the brown hair. He was 16 years old and was such a fun and funny kid! How special I feel to call him my brother =) To have him as an example in my life. The heart disease he had is called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and a few members in my family have it, me being one of them. I've debated with myself about how much to share about the passing of my little brother, but really...I want to share what I've learned from this experience. I've learned that life gives you trials and tribulations and sometimes you don't always get good news or happily ever afters...but of everyone I've ever known, Jesse was someone who took those trials and tribulations and somehow or other he made them positive. He always said, "No regrets" and through the legacy he left behind I know when he passed, he had nothing holding him back. I love my brother Jesse so much! I love my family and if there is one thing this has reminded me, it's that every moment is precious. Every hug, every smile, every encounter, you just never know when it might be your last.

And although that may sound depressing, it wasn't suppose to be. I know that this life is not the end. I know that someday I'll be able to see Jesse face-to-face and give him the biggest hug in the world. How thankful I am for the temple and the power of temple sealings, comforting me that Jesse will always be my little brother. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in true. I know this life is not one of chance, and every decision we make is consequential, hopefully bringing us closer to our Father in Heaven.

I didn't think this blog would be ending in my testimony but...there you have it! The reason this crazy life is so worth it.