wardies

can i just say again how much i LOVE being homeowners!

ya ya... the bills kinda stink.

but it's so nice to finally feel completely independent,

and to be able to PAY said bills.

well like i said before, our neighborhood rocks.

we have very sweet neighbors and a great ward family.

last night our bishopric stopped by out of the blue to visit.

we all got to know each other a lot better and they're awesome men.

today my new visiting teachers came by to introduce themselves.

it was a pleasant surprise and i'm glad to be looked out for.

we're loving it here!

hip hip hooray we've done some yard work!

back to school and softball

i have always craved to learn.

starting school each year is an exciting thing!

this first week alone, i've come home with so much new knowledge. 

i'm normally talking will's ear off but now especially.

i hope i never stop learning something new...

whether it's through school, working, parenting, or just LIVING!

life is a great big journey and i'm looking forward 

to all the stops i'll make on the way and where i'll end up. 

in other news, will started a rec. softball team with friends.
they are so fun to watch!
here are a few pictures i snapped from their first game:

stay-cation

we've been dying to travel lately...

but with the new responsibility of a house and tuition to pay,

we decided to drive up to park city (about 45 min. away) instead

and spend the day there playing and exploring.

here's a short video of some of our fun day:

continuing to go on dates together after marriage is so important.

it reminds us of why we fell in love with eachother again,

and allows us to get away from stress and just enjoy ourselves!

i love how often i get one on one time with will.

i'm trying to make every second count!

missing pieces

lately i've been missing mesa and my friends so badly.

don't get me wrong, salt lake is beautiful.

our home is more than i could've asked for,

and we've got good friends and family here too.

there's just something about the place where you grew up though.

like knowing where the good hills are to longboard,

and being able to go grab a drink from QT right around the corner,

and bumping into highschool friends at the store or getting gas,

and having a funny story to tell about every street you pass.

i had so many fun times there and am blessed with great memories.

i love that i met my sweetie down there,

and that we've had so many special moments there.

i wish so badly that everyone i care about could be in the same city,

heck i'd even take state! 

but some things in life aren't going to be easy.

today i'm counting my blessings...

especially for my biggest one, the one i love the very most.

and that he is here by my side every single day.

oh and our puppy babies alleviate some of the pain too. :)

decision

big news.

i've finally made the final decision on my major.

...it's only taken me like 4 years after high school right? 

since i can remember i've always wanted to help people for my career.

i tossed the idea of being a psychologist around for a while.

then i got a little intimidated at the amount of schooling

 and at my ability to be a good one.

so i worked for a while and took a few more classes.

if you were to look at my transcripts you'd probably scratch your head

and have no clue what i was interested in.

i felt it was important to dabble in a few different things 

and not really press forward too much on any one thing

until i was certain that it is what i want for my future.

well i got hyped on photography this past year

and although i'll continue to pursue that passion on the side,

i feel a stronger pull in another direction as far as a career goes.

i'll be finishing up my general ed requirements at SLCC,

graduating from there at the end of spring,

then applying to the U for a Bachelors Degree in Social Work.

i'm so excited for this next chapter of my life.

i really feel that i'm taking a huge step in the right direction.

i'm so lucky to have a supportive husband who tells me to "go for it!"

and who believes in me and my abilities.

as far as i'm concerned, i'm the luckiest girl in the world. 

...who has her work cut out for her these next few years!

a photoshoot with Melinda Payne Photography

let's face it... getting family pictures taken is usually awwwwkward.

who on earth feels comfortable with an aquaintance

 right up in their face snapping away on a camera?

luckily for us, my good friend was able to squeeze us in!

i met Melinda in a photography class at school.

she is such an easy going, fun girl and AMAZING at her skill!

we really wanted our shoot to portray our marriage...

FUN and full of ADVENTURE

so we went to the Liberty Park carnival.

it was perfect because we went right before closing time

 and it was a ghost town...

here are a few of our faves from the day:

we loved the direction and unique style we got from Melinda.

all you folks in southern Cali are lucky.. she's moving your way!