God is Real

What a year!

2015 has come and gone. My head is spinning!
What happened this year:
I got a new calling -- Young Women's President.
Jeff graduated college (hoorah)!
We got pregnant (double hoorah)!
Pulled a surprise on our family and friends at my "surprise party".
Jeff got a new job.
And probably a million other things... but those are the highlights.

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Symbolism behind the images:
Some of you know that my husband, Jeff is a graphic designer. I have been dabbling in the art myself. Working in marketing I am partial to having things have a theme and be consistent. As I have "embarked" on this adventure that is my YW calling I want to keep in touch with my marketing brain and keep things consistent looking having a common theme.

Below are the images I created (with hubby's help of course) for the 2016 mutual theme. The scripture reads:
"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God, and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." 
2 Nephi 31:20

There is symbolism behind the images.
Sun - "brightness of hope"
Flower centers = "love of God and of all men"

This whole chapter is beautiful and inspiring. This verse in particular is also full of doctrine and concludes with a wonderful promise from Heavenly Father. I wanted to tie in as much of the verse as I could.

There are binder covers for each person in YW leadership positions and a poster.
All are sized as 8.5x11.

You can download the PDF versions here.

Hope you like them!

Breakfast Muffins

Breakfast has got to be one of my favorite meals. During the week 99% of the time you can find me with a strawberry-banana protein shake in hand. However, when the weekends roll around, my breakfasts usually consist of something built around eggs. I saw this idea on Pinterest earlier this year and now it is a staple at our house! It is so simple and easy it's almost ridiculous.

What you'll need:
1 muffin tin
Cooking spray
Eggs
Bacon or sausage
Tomato
Salt
Pepper


Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
I spray each muffin tin with cooking spray and crack one egg in each tin. Usually Jeff and I will have 2 or 3 each. Our muffin tin of 6 works perfect for the two of us.
If I am using sausage I will brown the sausage first and put maybe a 1 tablespoon of meet in each -- with bacon I just cut it into cubes and add it raw.
I will then take 1 tomato and cut it into cubes and add probably about 4-6 small cubes to each.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pop in oven for 12-14 minutes. I like my yolks to be a little runny. I will let them sit for about 5 minutes or so, the use a spoon to help me pop them out. Voila! How easy is that?!

2014 --> 2015

Has it really been a year since I wrote on my blog?! Shame on me... Where did 2014 go?

When the end of year comes to a head, you constantly hear of people and the "new year resolutions". I am definitely one of those that gets all into setting goals for the year.

The other night, Jeff and I sat down and brainstormed what our goals for 2015 were. We had three lists: an Andrea list, a Jeff list and then a combined list. One of the goals for me for 2015 is to be better about journaling. I don't have a journal that I write in, I use this as my journal. I am sincerely going to try to document our life better this year.

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2014 was a busy year. Jeff accepted a job as a graphic designer at a local company. To say he loves it is an understatement. He is extremely talented at what he does and definitely has a gift. He stays busy with school and side projects. That guy never ceases to amaze me. He will graduate this spring -- hallelujah!

I am still working at my Credit Union -- 6 1/2 years and still going strong! I am officially working out of our main office. The hour drive is long and sometimes scary... but ya do what'cha gotta do! And right now, it's what we have to do. I feel I am learning so much about my company and definitely have a greater respect for my boss and all that he does.

Our pups are as adorable as ever. Little Bear (LB) is a little tank and weighs 17 pounds. I am pretty sure he is one of the most adorable pups I have ever seen. Hurley gave us a scare and ran away from home -- oy! When he came home I was so mad and so happy all at the same time. 

We have blessed to live in this great neighborhood surrounded by great neighbors and friends. We made it a goal to make friends with the new and younger couples in our church ward. It is kinda an awkward transition from the singles ward where there is something going on all the time, to a family ward. Especially because usually newly weds in our area are still going to school and don't usually have kids yet. It has been such a blessing because we have made some cherished friends this year. Lifelong friends if you will!

I know it is past Christmas, but our card this year was pretty darn cute if you ask me. (Thank you, Jeff!) We hope everyone had their "selfie" a Merry Christmas. Until next year!

My Christmas Puppy

I got surprised with a PUPPY for Christmas this year. My husband knows me too well. After a couple days we finally decided the name, Little Bear. He is so adorable and full of personality. Hurley... took a few days to adjust. He disowned me actually, and it completely broke my heart. But then he got over it and enjoys his momma's love more than ever.

I love the pups with all my heart.

An early morning at City Creek

I have known Rose and Rich for almost 9 years. I love them. We got together early one Saturday morning to take some pictures. These are only a few of what we took. We love how they turned out.

Oh, and they are expecting a little girl in January 2014!

"I was expecting you to pull out your phone,"

Jeffrey loves to shake his head when we are in public and I have conversations with strangers. In the few exchanges of sentences an onlooker might think this stranger and I know each other and are maybe even friends. To me, we kinda are.

I love people. I love making new friends. I love visiting. I love making people smile when they least expect it. Like holding the door open for someone as they enter Little Ceasar's and then finding. Or finding myself very lost trying to find oven cleaner and asking a fellow shopper if they know where to find it.

My mom and Jeffrey always laugh (in a loving way of course) when they hear about how I make new friends, but I truly love it. I love that people find me approachable. I love that I am not as socially awkward as I sometimes think because I can carry on a pleasant conversation with someone I have no idea about, or have history with.

I feel like it is a true gift to be able to reach out to people in such a way. I don't mean that to "toot my own horn." But honestly, how many times do you have the opportunity to meet a stranger and carry on a short conversation and have it not feel ridiculously awkward? Probably not super often... or maybe you are like me and it does happen often. Haha!

So, to my sweet little blue sweatshirt friend, Maura, at Little Ceasar's, you are welcome for the packing tips and holding the door open for you. Best of luck in Boise & thank you for being kind and gracious for my gestures.

To the couple that helped me pick the best men's lotion fragrance, I appreciate you so willingly helping me in what surprisingly wasn't an awkward situation. Thank you for not thinking I was crazy.

To my Wal-Mart, oven cleaner friend, Amber who we still keep in contact with and who might even come have Thanksgiving with our family, I am grateful you helped me find something that I passed by 4 times. Bless you! Thank you for being my first Minnesota friend ever and for embracing a new Utah friend.

And to all my future friends out there... I'll be looking for you!

just popping in...

What hasn't been going on in life lately?
I finished my internship.
We moved into our new house.
I was sick for 3 weeks and wanted to cut my head off.
The husband is killing himself with 18 credit hours & 40 working hours a week.

But even in the midst of all the things we have going on, we still have time to celebrate in life's happy, beautiful moments. Our friends Bryan and Whitney got married a few weeks ago. Congratulations to them!

Balloons and Year 2

For most of our anniversary day I was working with my internship company. However, the evening we spent trying a new restaurant and starting a new tradition. We bought 3 balloons to write our goals on for this next year of marriage. One balloon for Jeffrey, one balloon for me and the third we would use to write our goals to work on together.

It was a great evening to spend with my husband. My husband of one whole year! I am so grateful for him and all we have been through this year. I am even more grateful that I get to share all the good and bad that life hands us with him. It is hard to remember what life was like before Jeffrey was in it. Happy anniversary to my sweetheart.

8.10.12 --> Eternity.

One Year

photographer

Oh my, I have hardly documented our first year of marriage. But goodness we have had some good times!

I have never been one to cry often. Yes, I cry during movies, when my hormones are all over the place with the time of the month, or when something tragic happens. But all of a sudden when I got married I didn't have to be "Miss, Keep-it-together--be-independent--you-gotta-be-strong--suck-it-up-you-can't-have-weaknesses," anymore. It was a like a light switch flipped and I had someone to protect me and I could be vulnerable, I don't always have to be strong.

And the even cooler thing, neither does he!

Jeffrey has been such a rock this past year. I have made some courageous decisions to better our marriage. I have even had my first ever panic attack. He has seen me at my most vulnerable moments and he loves me even more.

Year #2 is already starting off at full force. We had our house for sale, and within 2 days it was under contract... we still have yet to find a house.

I'm grateful for the adventures we have ahead. And I am even more grateful that this handsome fella is who I get to experience them all with.

Just like a plant

Simplify: to reduce to basic essentials

If you have read my blog before you have seen my personal goal to simplify my lifestyle. I love this definition of "simplify." 

Recently I have taken up the hobby of gardening. I absolutely love it and get so much joy out of it. Plants are very simple. The need water, sun, soil with nutrients and a little space. They grow, occasionally need trimming and flourish with these basic necessities.

Jeff and I have tried to be healthy since we have gotten engaged and married. We work out most days of the week, eat mostly fresh and un-processed foods, clean our home regularly and constantly remove clutter from our life.

Like plants, we do this so we can grow, trim the "unnecessaries" from our life, and flourish with the stronger versions of ourselves. We still have a long way to go and this lifestyle is always a work in progress, but I feel so much better about myself and my life. I feel more confident and more relaxed since these goals and boundaries have been set.

oh hi....

For those of you who still follow this little blog, I am so sorry I have been the worst updater this year. I am working on changing that today. Jeff and I have been married for almost a year and not much of our "first year" has been documented. 

I got an internship with SelectHealth and am excited to get started on my hours. One week from today I'll be starting!

We are wrapping up the semester this week. (I am finished, Jeff is still finishing one class).

We have painted half of the top floor of our house and are excited to keep going!

Jeff is the YM Secretary in our ward & I am the Teachings For Our Times Relief Society teacher.

Hurley is as dang cute as ever!

Jeff just turned 25 & we had a little party for him. :)

Being married is awesome. I love my husband so much. He takes such good care of us.

Olive Garden

 

 

This group of co-workers is so fun! I love them so much. :)

 



Love Is

About a week ago Jeff was having a night. I've learned that he doesn't always want to talk about things right away. We had gotten into bed, he was finishing a text to someone and I was laying there waiting for him to finish. He was so upset and I wanted to help him feel better about the situation.

He finished his text message, set his phone down and rolled over. My arms automatically opened to him as he laid his head down on my chest and his arm across my stomach. It was the most tender moment of my life. To be able to know that my husband didn't need words to help him feel better but to have my arms and body automatically know what he needed.

He relaxed in my embrace while I gently massaged the nape of his neck. After minutes of silence he looked up, kissed me and gave me a slight squeeze to resemeble a hug. We said prayers and fell asleep.

Love is being there for he other person and trying your best to anticipate what they need best in the moment. Love this time was letting a hug be the healer instead of words.

Love is what we have surrounding the two of us.

Formal's 2

photo credit