Father's Day

For Nephi's first Father's Day we went camping with his family. Because of our work schedules ever since we have been married, our weekends are tight and camping has always been on the list but we've only ever gone, now, twice! I know, I am bad - I want to be better when we move to Denver. Not that I love it (I don't hate it) but I know Nephi LOVES it.

We packed up on Saturday while Nephi was at work and then as soon as he got home we hit the road to Palisades to meet up with his parents and the Cannons. They had camp already set up and we just sat around the fire with hot dogs and smores. In the morning we had breakfast, went on a little walk, played around the camp for a bit, and then packed up. A lot of work for 1 night but it was worth it!

We headed to the lake a few minutes down the road and took out the paddle boards. They are harder than we thought but we got a hang of it!

I made some rice krispies for the lunch we were in charge of and they turned out so good! I love rice krispies so I tried my own recipe based on a few that I have tried in the past and love what I came up with:

THICK and Sweet Rice Krispie Treats
1 box of rice krispie cereal
1 jar of marshmallow creme
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1 tsp of vanilla
1 cube of butter

Pour box of rice krispies in a bowl and set aside. Brown the butter in a pot on a medium heat and then add vanilla. (You will know it's been properly browned when there are little brown flecks in the butter - make sure you don't burn it!) Add the marshmallow creme and stir (It will turn brown and have flecks in it - it's okay!). After that is mixed, add almost the whole bag of mini marshmallows  slowly (you decide how much you want to use but if you use almost all of it, you can use the whole box of cereal). After everything is melted, pour over the bowl of rice krispies and stir with a wooden spoon. Add to a 9x13 cake pan and let it cool at room temperature.

These are THICK. Like the ones you would get at a deli. I cut them into squares and wrapped them in plastic and put them in a baggy. They are pretty moist and it turns out Nephi likes them more dry so with the extras we had he let them dry out for a day and then finished them off. SO GOOD!

Marlo was a little gem! Slept through the night (between Nephi and I) and even napped a little on Saturday. 

I would follow this man anywhere! Seeing Nephi become a Dad has been no surprise to me. He is still the most kind and genuine man I have ever known, but just really obsessed with another girl :) He loves Marlo to no end and he always impresses me with his patience. I never have to make him go into her room to soothe her during the night, he just takes his turn when it's his turn. He loves putting her to bed, waking her up, changing her diaper, feeding her - anything! He doesn't pick and choose - he is 100% all the time. I truly believe Marlo chose him to be her Dad and then was like, "Okay, I guess that lady can be my Mom." We are beyond blessed to be loved by Nephi! 

We Are MOVING!

Yes, you heard that right, we are moving to Denver, Colorado!

Last year Nephi and I found out that we didn't get accepted into a Physicians Assistant programs that we applied to. While this was devastating, I had a really bad inkling that this was going to be the case. Not that Nephi wouldn't make an excellent PA, but that competition is insane and he had a few bad grades in some science classes that on paper made his grades look rough. His resume and job experience is incredible, but the GPA wasn't going for him and this was nerve-wracking. 

We were down to plan C at this point which was apply to a different grad school. We talked about him getting his Masters in Health Administration but wanted to explore all options. Through his research he brought up Occupational Therapy. He had brought this up in the past as an option but we had our heart set on PA school for so long we [me] were pretty narrow-minded. But Nephi explained the job and future opportunities and we decided that we would set out to do more research, including shadowing an OT. 

Over those next few months Nephi worked as a PSR worker with children who needed a little more help and supervision for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, he would take kids to an Occupational Therapist (OT). This opened my eyes because I was noticing Nephi was doing so well and enjoying that job as a PSR worker and then I made the connection that this is similar to what he would do as an OT. 

We began filling out applications and even got them in later than we had planned - long story - but we got them in and then started praying like crazy. {{PS - I should be like 30lbs thinner from all the fasting we did to get Nephi into school over the past 2 years. Thanks to the family members that joined us in those fasts so many times, hope you are thinner for it (kidding...)}} It's a huge leap of faith to put money in application fees, put your heart on your sleeve, and then just sit and wait. Through this process I learned a lot about myself and we learned about us as a family. Although trying - we are grateful for it! 

We applied for 4 schools. When we went to submit the application for Creighton (which I pushed selfishly so I could live where I served my mission for a few years  in Omaha) he quickly got a response from admissions saying that they were opening up a new pathway program for their OT program in Denver and since it was closer to where we live if we were interested. We took them up and filled out the application that had supplemental questions on it and submitted it within 24 hours. The questions were perfect for what Nephi and I wanted to say to someone reviewing his application - it was almost too good to be true. I was giddy throughout the application process and had a very strong sense of hope but I tried to keep it reserved to not put extra pressure on Nephi. 

In February, I got a text from Nephi saying he got an interview - WHAT!? We were thinking we would be hearing back soon but I never expected it out of thin air! So he went and interviewed and it went really well. We decided not to tell family (we had to tell my brother because he ended up driving to Denver with Nephi) because Nephi didn't want any added pressure so we did our best to keep it a secret. 

A week or so after his interview Nephi got a letter from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona stating that he was placed on the waiting list there. This was another major miracle for us! We couldn't believe it! We wrote a letter of intent to show major interested and tried to talk to a few people in admissions to push his application. They were very stingy and couldn't give us any details except that we would hear back mid-May with an answer at the latest. So we waited, and waited...nothing. 

About 4 weeks after Nephi's interview, he received a call from admissions offering him a spot in the OT program at Creighton in Denver! Nephi again informed me by text and I was not in a position to celebrate so I had to keep it in, but then when we got home we were ecstatic and so grateful! We still have yet to hear from Arizona to this day but we had to make a decision by the deadline for Creighton so put down the deposit. 

Although I am sad we didn't get into Arizona because we could be by my family, I had a feeling it would be Denver all along and that's okay. A lot of much needed peace has surrounded me since that day we found out that has buoyed me up on very hard days. Having that to look forward to has been a blessing. Seeing Nephi's confidence build in himself as a husband and father has been worth every hurdle we have faced along the way. To say he deserves this is an understatement. He is MEANT to be an OT! He is going to help people regain their life back in several ways and there is not better person than Nephi to do that. Marlo and I are proud to stand by his side! We adore him. 

Thank you to family and friends that prayed, fasted, followed-up, and listened to me vent and cry numerous times over the past few years. We couldn't have done it without you! 

Next step: MOVE! We need a place to live (any Coloradans out there that can help us out?), need to pack up our place and move by the end of July with school starting first week of August (praying we sell everything at a garage sale we are participating in this month), and we need to say goodbye to family and friends which will be the hardest. 

He's a Vloggin' Machine!

As you all know, Nephi is terribly talented. Like, I really hope our kids get all his talent and my eye-sight. I would be happy with that.

He's decided to record our life via video while I record via blog. He tries to keep them between 2-4 minutes  because let's be honest...no one watches those long videos anymore.

To see our recent videos, check out his channel! Subscribe and share :).

Here are a few of my favorites lately!

Da JAZZ

In April we had the opportunity to go to the Jazz game with my team at work. One of the girls from my team couldn't make it so my boss asked if I wanted to bring Nephi and of course we said YES! Nephi skipped school, we worked until 2, and then hit the road to SLC! These weren't your normal "nose bleed" seats...these were COURTSIDE. Meaning, we were literally on the court. Watching the game. Smelling the sweat. My seat was right next to the huddle. I basically heard everything. We saw butts get slapped and everything--it was amazing.

We started off with a dinner (Hummer Club tickets, if anyone is familiar with that). It was a gourmet buffet and we had our special table that the CEO and whoever he brings with him sits. Apparently they drink Diet Coke because the waiter came up and said, "The usual? Diet Cokes?" Ha! At half time, we switched seats (1 row above the floor) so we got to be on  the side they were shooting the whole time. We also got to go to a room full of free snacks. Popcorn, nachos, TONS of candy, ice cream bars, soda fountain, etc. I don't think I have ever seen Nephi so happy. He was SO giddy the whole time! This was literally one of his "bucket list" items and it was a dream for him to go. It was so much fun! 

Before we left for the game, we had kind of a funny/typical mishap. 

Check out the vlog for deatils! Or watch below!

Mouth of Babes 2/9/13

We owe you some great stories and quotes, but we are a week behind. Forgive our memories but here are a few to hold you over until next week!

We gave them CTR rings. We are in love with them. 

K: (Laying across Mallory's lap.) Cough, cough...
Mallory: Uh, no, off now please.
K: Okay...(Walks away very sad.)

Comes back a few minutes later...

K: (Lays on lap and gets up to turn her head and cough and lays back down.) That was a close one.
Mallory: Yep, no coughing on me, please. I got really sick last week.
K: Am I going to get treats today?
Mallory: I don't know...
K: Okay. I won't cough anymore.

---

C: What's 44 + 5?
Nephi: 49...
C: Oh, can you show me?
Nephi: (Shows him how to add.)
C: So, 44 + 44 is 88!?

---

During singing time...

K: Uggghhhhhh...when are we going to go to the tiny classroom?!

(She asks this every week. The "tiny classroom" is our classroom for the 2nd hour.)

---
Mallory sat in between twins C & C and suddenly hears giggling.

C: (Giggle and speaks very quietly.) We're holding hands behind your chair...

Mallory turns around and they are holding hands.

---

Nephi is no longer in primary with me but he came to help me out this week because I was exhausted from traveling and didn't have the strength to do it on my own. The kids kind of knew he wasn't suppose to be there and we did explain to them that he won't be there every week but that we would visit occasionally.

About an hour after church, I look at my phone and notice I had a voicemail. I listen to the voicemail and it is from a cute boy in our class "C" Mom. She said that C has been crying since they've been home from church absolutely devastated that Brother Guymon wouldn't be coming back to class anymore. She said that they could not console him and that she just wanted to know what was going on so she knew how to explain it to him. Oh my...we died! Poor, C!

I called her back and explained. She said that he's been sulking and walking around the house since they've been home and they have been trying to distract him but that she just wanted to know what to tell him. She explained that C used to hate primary in their last ward and loves it now. He was supposedly quite the trouble maker which is completely opposite of what we see in him. She thanked, and thanked us for helping C have such a positive experience and that she can tell that he is actually learning. Every week he comes home and talks a mile a minute about church. She was so grateful.

First of all, I cried. Second of all, Nephi is the COOLEST person in the world. I have huge shoes to fill. I think candy will work. ;)

The Birthday Boy

Happy 26th Birthday to this guy...

Nephi is honestly the coolest person I know. 

Here are a few of my favorite things about him:

He is the nicest most kind man I have ever met. 

His dimples...he has 3 of them in his face. I can't wait till our babies come out with his dimples. And eyes. And huge baby head. I am just hoping they aren't 10 lbs...

His dance moves. 

His teaching skills. He knows how to adjust teaching to peoples needs. Wish I saw him as a missionary.

His random skills. He is great at editing videos, playing guitar, piano, and any other instrument, or random game or useless knowledge of random facts. He's got skills. 

He is really good at staying level headed in a crisis. 

He makes me smile and laugh, a lot.

We celebrated his birthday on Friday with his parents and Neal & Angie. We went and saw Lincoln (great movie) had dinner, opened presents and ate cake! Nephi got a gun from his parents and could not have been happier. Best present ever. 

Turkey burger sliders for dinner! They are his favorite. 

4 layer chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting. Note to self: Never make again. It was too rich for everyone to eat and they hardly ate it and left me with a whole cake. Next year, we will have Jello.  But, it tasted amazing. I liked it.

So glad you were born Phee-Phi! 

Our Missions & Our Marriage

After the exciting announcement made at General Conference, Nephi and I began reminiscing about our missions. {We were able to watch all 4 sessions together, which was a huge blessing.}

Nephi was so jealous that he didn't have the opportunity to serve his mission at age 18. He would have loved to graduate high school and go straight to the mission field! Me, on the other hand, I don't think I would have served at 19. I didn't officially decide that I was going to serve a mission until I was 20 and I wanted to go as soon as I could so if I wasn't ready by 19, I don't think I would have gone. Just goes to show the Lord knows best!

My thoughts have been to those girls and boys who are 18 & 19 that I know. Boys, how awesome that you get to go right away! No time waiting around or getting "distracted." And girls, you can go out with your "sweetheart" and get back around the same time, OR, you can go, and come back and still go to school and get adjusted back into life. (Going back to school was the only way I survived coming home from my mission.)

And most importantly, I thought, "BOTH OF YOU GO ON MISSIONS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOUR MARRIAGE SO MUCH BETTER!" Ahem, sorry for the all-caps.

They always tell you that going on a mission will help you in dating, marriage, and relationships in general. I didn't really understand that until now, after being married for a year or so. Nephi and I met after I had been home from my mission for 4 months. I was still kind of weird, planned every minute of my day, and was still crying myself to sleep because I missed my mission SO much. Nephi's goal was to make me "normal"...I think it worked? Ha. He had been home for 2 years so it was fun for him to talk about the mission with me but he had obviously adjusted just fine by then.

While we were dating, we talked about our missions a lot. It was a easy topic to help us get to know each other and avoid awkward moments. We met each others companions and mission "buddies". The hardest parts were fighting over which mission was better and conflicting mission reunions. But we made it through and got married.

Now, I finally understand why our missions have helped our marriage! We talked about it and here are a few reasons of how it helps us in our marriage:

• I (Mallory) recognized TRUE love as a missionary. That helps me everyday to love him. 
• Being around someone 24/7 (which rarely happens with us) is a skill which we developed. That helps us when we have those rare moments where we get annoyed with each other--we remember it could be worse! ;) 
• SERVING!!! I knew how to serve people before my mission, but the TRUE, un-selfish service that you render as a missionary helps you as a spouse. You don't seek anything in return. 
• Compromise...Nephi had a companion who wanted to go to McDonalds every day to play the Monopoly game and Nephi did it. He compromised and compromise daily. 
• Teaching is EVERYTHING. Now, we are teachers in primary and know how to teach with each other, bear testimony with each other, and commit our kids each week to being better. 
• We know how to fast & pray and the importance of prayer. 
• We know how to bear testimony to each other. It's never awkward for us to talk about spiritual things and be open and vulnerable. 
• WORK & SACRIFICE. Each working 30 plus hours with 18 plus credits...we know how to work. 
• Rolling with the punches is how we cope. Change is not rare as a missionary and isn't rare as a newly married couple as well. 
• Scripture power! We know how to read and use the scriptures in our marriage and in our personal struggles. 
• Communication (still working on it) is crucial as a missionary. In fact, you are required to have "companion inventory" once a week with your companion and be candid with each other. This also helped with being able to take criticism and avoid contention (my mission taught me to loath contention--it's uncomfortable). 
• Talking to random strangers is a common occurrence as a missionary. Nephi is the BEST at talking to strangers. He not only knows how to carry a conversation, but how to make them feel good about themselves and comfortable. He's the best. 
• Budgeting was a personal thing on the mission, but we both have always had jobs and still know how to use our money when we are on our own thing. Soooo grateful that he is good with money. My mission taught me how to be good with money and only buy what I need (not that I don't buy things I want). 
• Using our time wisely and planning effectively was the only way to survive a mission--and I would add a marriage! Combining schedules is not easy but if you know how to use your time wisely, you always have time together. 
• Setting goals and making plans is what we do on a daily basis. I can't set a goal without making a plan to go along with it. Ask Nephi, I talk about it in my sleep. Literally. 

And the list goes on! I could talk about this forever, but I won't. Our missions mean EVERYTHING to us. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about the people we met, loved, and served. We both were blessed to serve with amazing companions, mission presidents, and people. We contribute our success and happiness in our marriage to what we were taught as missionaries. 

So are you on the fence? Or have we convinced you? ;) 

Pictures: Mission, Dating, MARRIAGE!

New, NEW, Job and Internship

Before you read this post, you must read this post.

In July I started working for Melaleuca. I was in their Management in Training program (M.I.T). It's an exclusive program for candidates that apply for positions at Melaleuca and they don't have a position open and they want to use them for an upcoming position. This is how they prepare for growth in the company and prepare for bringing in leaders. This program usually only has a handful of candidates and is open only to outside individuals.

During my interview process they considered me for marketing, writing, and M.I.T. I actually applied for a writing position for them in January but decided to go with the marketing position  instead with the other company because I don't want to write. (I have not regretted that decision ever.) So I interviewed with like 7 different people and found out 2 weeks later that they wanted me for the M.I.T program. The position they wanted me for was a marketing analyst which would be opening soon so I gladly accepted and went to work!

For the first 3 weeks I was part of training for their business development team. I had to learn a whole new compensation plan and policies like crazy and it was a lot of work and studying but I loved it! After training, as part of the program, I would be on the phones for 3 months taking calls and coaching their people on building their business and helping them with their problems. After 3 months, I would start cross-training with other departments and I would then be eligible to be interview for placement.

Being on the phones was soooo daunting! There was so much to remember but I ended up loving it! Being able to talk to so many people and coach and encourage them and celebrate success was awesome. I never dreaded going to work and was so impressed with their people and the people who work in the call center. I have made some great friends too and have felt blessed to be part of the company.

During my 3rd week of training I met with marketing to interview for the marketing analyst position. I became one of the final candidates and was sooooo excited to hear the results. During my 2nd week on the phones, I got a call that the Director of Global Events wanted to meet with me. Whaaaa? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE event planning, but she is literally the busiest person in the world and I didn't think they had any openings.

We met, she was great, and just chatted. She didn't even have my resume, so I gave it to her, and we casually talked and she educated me about their events and the process they go through. She said if they had any openings in the future that she would love me to apply and we left it at that. I walked away thinking that I was more interested in events than I thought I was. I LOVE event planning, but marketing is just more realistic to me and more versatile so I just ruled events out especially after I saw the instability in my previous company.

Well, I was very surprised the next day when I got a call that the president of Melaleuca wanted to meet with me. Wait, what!? I was shaking! I met with him, he is wonderful, and had another casual chat. He asked if I was interested in events and I said yes, and he was like, "Great, I know they are interested so I will give them the go ahead." Uhhh, really? What does that even mean!? (Turns out he hand picks people for the events team so he needed to meet with me first before they could hire me.) I worked with the recruiter, who is wonderful as well, and found out they were interested in me and at the next week I received the offer! So, that is where I have been for the past month. :)

It's been long hours, lots of work, and high paced. It's different than I thought it would be, in a good way, and I LOVE our team! There are only 4 event planners and about 10 events throughout the year that they cater to up to 8,000 people. Needless to say, we are busy and these women are the hardest working women I have ever known!

We just had kickoff in September and then have another event in October, in Hawaii. Unfortunately, since I came in too late I am not going. The girl I am replacing is the lead on the event so they are having her go to finish off her last assignment. I am really, really bummed about it but you never know, they may need me last minute and I may be packing my bags!! (Not likely, but a girl can dream.)

It's been an adjustment. I'm usually never home before 6 and taking a lunch is basically out of the question but really this is probably the last time in our lives that I will be able to work a job like this so we are going to enjoy the journey while we can! Nephi is the best support and will be rubbing my feet more than ever but he's happy to do it. :)

Nephi's schedule has also been crazy. He just started his internship shadowing a PA at a local clinic, volunteers with his aunt a few times a week taking blood practicing for his phlebotomy certificate, AND work. He is my hero. He is like a machine and I LOVE IT! We value our nights we have together, which are few, but we still have fun when we can. He is the best.

He loves his internship and I love hearing the stories. He is going to make a great PA one day. I am so excited for that next step in our life! It's gonna be a while till we even get into school, but with all that he is doing know I feel so confident that we will get in and get going when the time comes. PA school is extremely competitive but Nephi is taking the necessary steps to get there and he is going to be great. No doubt.

At the East Idaho State Fair! See, we have a little fun in between :) 

That's us! Workin' for the weekend.

The Vlogs

This is Nephi. Once in a while I post something. Today I'm posting our most recent vlogs from YouTube. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel if you want. Enjoy.

Marriage Can

When I was in Young Women's, they had us create a can, almost like a time capsule, of what we want our wedding to be like. I don't remember if I was allowed to open it before or after I got married but I opened it a few months ago and was shocked at what I wanted my wedding to be like! 

The can consisted of pictures of cakes, rings, dresses, flowers, and colors that I wanted at my wedding. It looks like I wanted an all white wedding with a tall cake and red roses. As far as the ring when, I had a few different types in there so I was obviously unsure. Ha. 

It also consisted of a list of 10 things I hope to do before I get married. If you can't read this well enough, here is the list:

And I quote...

1. Be fit & skinny (work out) PERFECT TEETH. Um, half true. I got braces. 

2. Save a lot of money. Nephi and I both worked full-time before we got married and had plenty.

3. Get into BYU (have a major). Close...BYU-I and I did have a major picked out/

4. Take scrapbooking classes. Um, never. I learned Photography and Photoshop instead.

5. White water rafting! :) I'm going this summer!

6. Convert someone to the church. Mission...hello! 

7. Get married in I guess I didn't finish this sentence...??

8. Meet and hangout with a movie star or athlete. Met a handful of both. 

9. Go to Australia or Africa to do service!! Not, yet. But Nephi has had the same goal.

10. Own a car. Yep, yep. Thanks to great, great, parents.

One thing about this list still remains true---I am a goal setter and list maker. Although all these things didn't happen, I still feel very accomplished in my life. 

Lately I have been reflecting on how this stage of our life is limited. No longer being a student is great, but I am grateful that Nephi still is. It keeps us humble, focused, and selfless. We have to work as a team, serve each other, and make sacrifices. It's a great stage to be in, even though I complain that we don't have weekends together, I love our life together. 

PS- There was one more thing in the can...We were suppose to write a letter to our "future spouse"...I opened the can when my parents were in town and we were all sitting around the living room. I started reading the letter and I was laughing along the way and suddenly noticed that I got pretty specific on who I was writing the letter to...I abruptly stopped. They looked at my confused and said, "Was that it?" I nodded and my face started getting warm. They kind of look confused but I could tell they didn't think much of it. 

A few minutes later, I busted out laughing and read the last line of the letter which said I love you to the boy I was dating at the time. WOAH! What a dreamer I was. All of you who went to high school with me know who this boy was....aren't you glad we didn't get married?! I sure am!

Clumsy

Ever had a day where you are super clumsy? That happened to me yesterday.

I came home from work and did the dishes and straightened up before Nephi got home. I thought I did all the dishes and then I looked on the stove and there was a big pot that I left there after we made potato soup on Monday (don't judge). So I grabbed it, filled it with hot soapy water and started dinner.

Nephi got home and I had my music playing from my phone. *Did you know you can put your iPhone in a glass cup and it will make your music louder? True story. Do it all the time.* He came in and we just chatted and then I went to grab my phone to look up a recipe and, yeah, it slipped and fell right into that soapy hot water pot! JUST.MY.LUCK!

I snatched it out of the so fast, grabbed a rag, and turned it off. I dried it really fast while Nephi filled a bowl with rice and blew into the output to try and get the water out of there. This all happened in like 30 seconds btw...

I was mostly in shock and way nervous because it's my work phone and we have an event this weekend and I knew tons of people are going to be calling me for directions, catering, tent, heaters, porta potty, etc. WORST time EVER to drop your phone in a pot of water.

I left it in there for a few minutes, turned it on and it was working so I texted and asked a guy from work what to do and he said to keep it in rice and then put it in the oven on the lowest setting. Whaaaa? Have any of you done this!? It seemed so risky to me. I was nervous but I did it and even left the oven door open and the heat on 170 because I was paranoid it would burn my phone.

Turns out it's totally fine to do that and so when I cam into work this morning and showed them my camera lens on the phone full of water, they suggested a dehydrator. So we got one from a guy at works aunt and now my phone is resting. All my calls are being forwarded to the office, but, if it doesn't work, I am screwed.

I wrote this email to tell Nephi what happened. (I called him from work and we had a bad connection so I said I would email him instead.)

Why am I blogging about this?

1. It was a funny memory.

2. This email made me realize after I sent it how much Nephi and I have changed each other. I act like him, and he acts like me.

So, pray for my phone.

AND, pray that it doesn't rain tonight so we can still have our event outside and that the tent won't blow over.

"Okay, thanks, okay, I love you, okay, goodbye."
(Another random saying Nephi and use)

First Anniversary

How cliche, but I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR! 

Nephi and I celebrated our first anniversary on Saturday, April 14th. It feels like just yesterday we were hugging on my doorstep of my apartment, avoiding the reality of curfew, and saying, "I can't wait till we are married! We won't have to say goodbye at night!" {Sign. Awe. Squeal.}

Being married to Nephi is more than I ever thought it would be. Committing to marriage was easy and living with him everyday is even easier. Probably about once a week I yelp, "I love living with a boy!" Seems silly, but I cannot image all men are this easy to live/be with but Nephi is. He is the most kind and understanding person I have ever met. I tell him often that he is my greatest example. When I want to be mad, frustrated, or gossip, I always think about Nephi. He would never do that. And although it makes me feel guilty at times, it always makes me grateful to be surrounded by such a good person all the time. 

Everyone tells you to look for certain qualities in a person that you are dating. I admit that neither Nephi or I have all the qualities that each other was looking for {I am not patient enough, he is too patient}, but to be with a person that you know you can develop those qualities with and who posses the core qualities {kindness, selfless, sweet, humble} is rare. 

Nephi is a rare find. I have never met someone like him and I can't count how many times people gush about him. Everyone loves him. I dated a boy in my past and I can remember thinking "oh dang, we are going to have no friends." Not with Nephi. People are attracted to his kindness and always comfortable around him--hence my support with him becoming a P.A. He is going to be amazing and steal all the doctors patients. Kidding...but seriously. 

 I shouldn't get much mushier than this but dang, I am lucky/blessed/fortunate/privileged/spoiled. 

Woke up on Saturday morning to these flowers!

Went to Sam's and bought supplies for our date that night: Our favorite Perrier Water, Artisan Bread, and Brie Cheese. 

Made some "Better than Sex" Chex Mix. Seriously to die for. Thank you Pinterest. 

We didn't want to buy gifts for each other so we decided just to spend the night at a local hotel called The Destinations Inn. It was amazing! We stayed in the "Athens" Suite. I was shocked at how detailed it was! Totally worth every penny. 

I thought it was pretty appropriate that I wear my greek shoes. 

AND, check out that tub! Seriously amazing. 

                               

Of course we went to Snake Bite and got huge burgers. Mmm. And they even gave us a basket for breakfast in the morning! Also, there was sparkling cider and cheese cake in the fridge. We were very impressed.

Saturday was great! We got to relax and spend a lot of time together before Nephi goes back to school. It was a great first anniversary and we have so many more to look forward to!!

After sleeping in on Sunday morning, we came home and did some unpacking. We finished our bedroom and realized we have WAY too much clothes! I need to give some away, big time. But our room is unpacked, now we just have to decorate. It's twice the size of our other room so it may be a little difficult...

Sunday afternoon we went to Nephi's Aunt & Uncles place for dinner. I have said this before, and I will say it again, I LOVE Nephi's extended family! The Richin's are amazing. They fed us really well and we laughed A LOT! They are so selfless and great examples of a close and happy family. I love them.

We got home and I started loading the dishwasher--this was monumental, hence the photo. Our first dishwasher! Man, I didn't realized how much I missed having one. It's going to be so nice!

After spending time with my family, it made me miss playing cards. They taught us how to play Canasta and we loved it! But, since it was only Nephi and I, we played Skip-Bo, Nertz, and then Scrabble...

It's been YEARS since I have played but it was so fun! I got so nervous at the end but I ended up beating Nephi! I was literally biting my nails. 

We finished up the weekend with watching Super Natural in bed. Have any of you seen this? I watched it BY.MY.SELF the other night and it is scary! So we have the first season and no cable so we are watching it. It's actually pretty good...when you are watching it with someone.

It was such a long and great weekend! I don't know if it's because I only worked one day last week but this weekend was exactly what we needed before Nephi started the semester again. Welcome back no weekends and long nights. Bah.