3 Years

3 years ago (yesterday) we got married!  Before you start judging me for tardy anniversarial blogging, we are really celebrating tomorrow.  I got some pretty roses and sweet things were said, but we (sad) didn't get to see much of each other on our actual anniversary, so we're pretending it's tomorrow.  

One of my favorite things about dating Jeff was that before he dropped the "L-bomb," and while I was waiting (somewhat impatiently) for such a declaration, I remember the first time I realized that even though I hadn't yet heard those 3 lovely words, that I felt loved.  Like, honestly loved.  It was a homey little feeling in my heart, and happy girl am I to say that that hasn't changed.  

Before pregnancy gets me going in a weepy dissertation on marriage, romantic love, the long haul, etc., I will just say that Jeff is my guy, I love him, I want to keep him forever, and since we got married 3 years ago, that's precisely what I'm going to do.  

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Reuniting in the name of Love

 On Saturday, our dear friend Dre got married.  I was itching to get to the wedding to a) support AnDREa and Collin on their big day, b) see how amazing her hair looked, (she has this fantastic sheet of hair that can not be improved upon.  Several people asked me while looking at the wedding announcement on the fridge if she has extensions.  Nope, it's just unjustly beautiful.) and c) see some of our old Huntington Buddies.  I miss and love them!  Hugs abounded and I drank in every drop of catch-up chatter over delicious food.

Did I mention I love these guys??  Some of our HB friends we see regularly because they followed us down south, but I wish ALL of them would.  Some good times have been had with these ladies and gentlemen.

 Me and my date.  I wish we could've stayed longer, but baby etc. summoned us back.

Congrats to the new Willardson Family, you guys are terrif.

Cameron and Katelyn

News flash, people: My brother Cameron is marrying Katelyn!!!

They got engaged last night and really, we are so pumped.  I knew Katelyn's sister briefly at BYU and we reconnected in Huntington -- small world.  Also, Sarah and I both worked for Katelyn's brother-in-law one summer.  Crazy.  But anyway, they met independent of these connections last summer, and in August Katelyn picks up the last name I put down!  

This is a pairing of genetic marvels -- they are both lanky, athletic ones who breathe cleaner air than you or I, well-schooled in water sports, they have a high propensity for tanning, eye-catching teeth, and pretty blonde hair.  She and he are going to be lifeguards in Huntington Beach this summer, and, get ready for this cheesy awesomeness: they are going to ride their bikes to work together from Katelyn's parents' house.

I feel a tug at the heart over this wedding I didn't quite have with Elizabeth or Sarah.  Cameron is the sweetest little brother and always has been.  He quietly looks for ways to help everybody, which means when he comes over my dishes are suddenly done and/or the dishwasher is unloaded.  He's one of those no-judgments people, so everyone feels comfy.  He's hilarious and mellow and hard working.  I have seen in the past, as I'm sure you have too, nice guys like Cam get snatched up somehow by selfish minxes or girls who just don't appreciate the pot of gold he is.  This was my worry with Cameron -- that similarly to Edward Ferrars, "[Cameron] is entirely the kind of compassionate person upon whom [mean girls] can prey".  I just wanted him to end up with someone who would understand and be grateful for what he innately is.  I am so relieved and happy to say that I am 100% certain that Katelyn is that girl.  And she is a great match for him, and...ahem...just watching them make eyes at each other you know they're in love.  My protective heart is appeased, and I am looking forward to the party. :)

Congrats, you two crazy kids.

2 Years

Break out the bubbly, for 'twas 2 years ago that Jeff married me, and I married Jeff.

Many song lyrics come to mind today....

You mean to me what I mean to you

Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey,

I love you, and you alone were meant for me

Loooooove is a many splendored thing

Who ya gonna call?

You're my sunshine after the rain

Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart

And, on completely serious note, I was running the other night sans baby which means I could listen to music. I don't really have a "work out playlist," so I usually just start it on a song that has a good beat, but if the song that comes after that doesn't, I'm in the zone by then and too lazy to change it.  A Case of You by Joni Mitchell came on, an example of a bad running rhythm, but I do love that song and enjoyed it.  I know this is cheesy, but tears filled my little eyes as she sang,

I remember that time you told me, you said,

 'Love is touching souls',

Surely you've touched mine cause,

Part of you pours out of me

in these lines from time to time

In all her silliness, Joni said something that was really true.  As powerful as "I love you" is, I love a lot of things and say it all the time.  I love Diet Coke.  I love Mitt Romney.  I love The Beatles.  I love Mary Cassatt paintings.  I love iceberg roses.  I love skinny jeans.  I love being skinny.  I love big baskets.  But Jeff is the only person who's touched my soul, in a very Bronte sort of way.  Disagreements and moments of exasperation may pepper some days, but who cares?  He's the one who's rooted down deep into my soul, he's a part of me more than anyone else ever could be, and I am so happy that I'll never, ever be without him.  

So to millions more, Jeff.  I love you in a big way.

Becca & Art's Wedding

I got back late last night from one of the best weddings I've ever been to.  My cousin Becca married Art in the Salt Lake City temple, and therefore we gathered and partied!

The sealing was beautiful and made my heart beat with extra enthusiasm, the dinner the night before tasty, the reception at Sundance was breathtaking, and the bride and groom were lovey and spectacular.  And yes, they really are that good looking!

Harry was in charge of the music, and once the traditional dances were over, he changed it up from Ryan Adams, Ron Sexsmith, David Gray, and David Hopkins over to the tunes that force you to just get down.  I haven't gotten down in....a long time, and a hibernating bear was awakened!!  I handed Jude over to my mom, and my cousins, siblings, their husbands, and I shook our bums for hours.  If it's possible to have a hangover in a body that is 100% sober, that's what I had Saturday morning.  I only wished Jeff was there, but boo, he had to stay behind and bill hours.  They even played one of his favorite  songs, which shall remain nameless, I'll only tell you it rhymes with Marty in the USA. :)

I am so blessed with family.  My family, Jeff's family, I really couldn't ask for better friends and companions.  Whenever we're together, I just don't want it to end.  

Setting up for the reception and loving on my babe. 

Congrats to the Mr. and Mrs. Gutierrez couple!  I love you so much, Becc!

1 Year

Happy 1 Year to Us!

It's been my favorite year, and I love what we've got and what we are together.

I also love these pictures of us leaving the reception; it's just me and Jeff scampering off to start living life as our own little family.

It'll never stop being the best thing that's happened.

Clink!

My How Things Do Change

2 years ago yesterday Jeff and I met at my front door, meant to go to Yogurtland half a mile away from my house but I forgot to tell him to turn and we were at Irvine Blvd and Jeffrey Road by the time I realized, so we went to the Irvine Spectrum and ate this

by a fountain and talked for a few hours about traveling, work, the shocking fact that even with 3 sisters he'd never learned to looooove Jane Austen, and other things.

And now he's my baby daddy.

Michelle's Wedding and Pretend Games

On Friday Michelle and Mark (M&M!) got married. I was on the verge of tears the entire ceremony, it was so sweet and we are so excited for them. Awaiting whatever comes next in life is so very enjoyable when you find the person you want to be with when whatever comes. She was exquisitely beautiful, and he was debonair.

It was great to have the time to spend together with the Hayesies and I'll have you know, my sisters-in-law and their husbands have conjured up children so funny, so endearing, so clever, I found myself missing them instantly. Each night of the trip the grown-ups all stayed up way past bedtime talking. How lucky is it to be around people who are interesting, have good and entertaining stories, and are talented listeners? This part of visits with Jeff's and my own family are absolutely invaluable bites of soul food.

I realized this trip that the sweet smells of the Hayes homestead remind me of when Jeff had just put a ring on it and we flew the morning after our engagement for a week of Thanksgiving festivities in Utah and Idaho. Familiar smells do powerful things for my nostalgic button. It was so lovely to visit in memory that exciting time.

And other than that, we ate too much food, hiked in Zion, marveled at the Red Rock (Jeff every 5 seconds: "Beautiful!" "Naturally occurring beauty!"), saw friends, visited E et al in Vegas, Jeff introduced me to $0.36 AstroPops, and I pretended we'd never switch out of vacation mode. I completely erased from my brain all responsibilities that will come rearing their ugly faces bright and early tomorrow morn. It was great. I ate up the minutes and hours and days.

Summer Trip 2010: A Success!

Half an Annum

6 months ago today we hopped aboard the matrimonial wagon. I wouldn't get off for the wooorld.

Maybe I'm a romantic, maybe it's because I was single until 27 (which makes me neither the youngest or the oldest, but anyway), or maybe it's because I (over)hear plenty of whining about spouses, but the thrill of marriage for me has not waned a decibel; I would say it's cranking up in volume. Sure it's not perfect, but who wants perfect? If I said it was you'd all know I was a lying and/or oblivious TAMN anyway.

But from where I sit, suddenly I'm in this ongoing gig where I come home, and the person I most want to see is there too. We always have new jokes, we make plans, we buy each other's favorite edibles at the grocery store, we calm each others' frustrations and sooth each other's concerns. We carpool to work and I pat his bum as he gets out of the car (I usually drive because my car is a piece of crap and we don't care about piling on the miles). I get to be a part of his wonderful family -- I really love them. We bounce ideas off each other, we know our tones of voice, we groan in the morning about the fact that it's morning and sometimes, especially on Fridays, take a few extra minutes on the snooze bar to snuggle. It seems to me this far, far, far outweighs any sacrifice or growing pains. I KNOW I'M A NEWLYWED, but I'd like to expect that we can keep this attitude for the next millions of years.

I think one of my favorite memories thus far happened on a Thursday. Jeff had a lawyer convention thingie at night and I had a lot of work so we decided we'd still carpool and I'd get some catch-up done until the convention's end. Around 6 I decided if I were going to stay awake I'd better get me some victuals. As I mentioned before, I work just across the bridge from South Coast Plaza. I set off on foot just as the sun was setting behind the epicenter of consumerism. I was pulling my sweater tightly around and reliving some Jeffman moment, looking at the ground. I looked up and -- HEY! -- that looks like Jeff! That is Jeff, I think? A mirage? No, I'd forgotten that his lawyer convention thingie was at the Westin Hotel on my side of the bridge, and he was really a-walkin toward me in the flesh, making funny faces. I let out an honest, "Ha! What??" and jogged over, which was good, because the girl a few steps ahead of me had thought the funny faces were directed at her. Above the Bristol traffic, we snuck a hug and a kiss before he went off to his duties and I to mine. A lovely second wind.

January 23. What a day.

2 Sisters, 6 Cheers

3 for each!

The smallest one you see there on the lap of my mother (with the awesome toddler pea coat?!) is the girl who turned 24 years young yesterday. My hearty congratulations and woop woops.

And this one, the darling sister-in-law Michelle, is going to get herself to the chapel (temple!) and going to get herself MARRIED!!! We met him, love him, they're perfect together. My hearty congratulations and woop woop.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do exclaim!

I've come around to the idea of decorative pillows on my bed! Large and hearty, not small neener pillows that serve 0 purpose!

Tomorrow my mom and I are going to finish selecting the linens she'll stitch together for our bedding!

My mom is and was a dish!

I got a promotion!

When I'm old and sound like Joan Rivers and have spent all our pennies on plastics, this is what I'll look like when I smile!

My sister-in-law Michelle is coming in 2 weeks to visit!

We will be in our new house by then!

People keep asking what it looks like!

Jeff doodled this while we watched old episodes of The OC (or was it Felicity?!) a couple weeks ago!

Yes, Jeff does watch DVDs of The OC and Felicity with me!

"Splat!" That's what my cover-less phone did on tile floor last week! Screen shards on the floor! I felt an unwillingness to pay for a new version of something I had owned moments before! Jeff found a guy to replace my screen and his battery for about 1/5 of the Apple cost! Call me if you find yourself in a similar predicament! Now I have a case of rubber so thick I feel sure I could send it flying off the side of the Chrysler Building and it'd still receive a text! Lesson learned!

Goodnight!

Heaven or Hana? You decide.

Most days I wish I were just back in Maui.

I didn't think I'd do a honeymoon post, because who wants a honeymoon post? But after developing the pictures (almost 3 months later!) I thought I'd share.

We had 7 days on the Hana Estate, which is infinitely better photographed here, and is infinitely more amazing than that in 3-D. We felt like The King and Queen of Sheba at Robert and Erica's Hawaii Home. Especially since I had a jacuzi on a balcony with a view for all that time, no other will ever suffice. I am hot tub ruined. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

We spent 3 days in Wailea, on the other side o' the island, which was busier and bustlier, but also something I could never argue with.

As I look back at these pictures I ask myself, "Did that really happen? Did we really go on a trip so perfect?"

Here are the visuals.

Venus Pools. Turquoise water.

At the Red Sand Beach -- be careful, there are nudies there, 3 of them like neked Santa Claus men who thought they were David Hasselhoff.

We hiked to the Red Sand beach, and on the way, we met a little seal on the shore who didn't like us very much. He'd bark and growl at me the closer I got, but I knew I was a lot faster on land than he, (she?) so I didn't worry about getting a LITTLE closer for a photo.

There was a day too rainy to do too much outside, so we drove the Hana Highway with all the notable stops. The uninterrupted journey will take about an hour, but we took the whole day to cruise it, stopping for all the delights. The delights were spontaneous bits of nature, like:

Tadaaaaaa!

At the Haleakala Crater, we saw our wedding sister friends! They were wearing t-shirts that said they got married the same day we did. Lovely. Now whenever we clink crystal glasses of Martinellis on future January 23s, we can assume (hope?) that 2 more people somewhere in China are also celebrating.

v

This image reminded me of "THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY!!!"

Sorry you read this post now? Or were you already remorseful?

Too bad the fellow hiker who took this picture had jiggly hands -- that was the coolest tree I've ever seen!

SNORKEL! We loooooved this. I felt like I was watching Finding Nemo up close and personal except we weren't breaking up any happy fishy homes.

And this is what I'd look like if I went the way of Anne Boleyn.

And this is what I'd look like if I ate 5,000 cadbury eggs over a 3 week period. Maybe 2 weeks.

Religion + honeymooning

I never knew the sand at the black sand beaches was actually black!

Anyway, we obviously loved it. We were extremely fortunate, and I'm a pretty lucky girl.

Thank you, and goodnight.

5 Days: One last shout out to all the men I have loved