Writing on the Wall

My husband has always been good at making me feel loved. Some men know how to be romantic and others...well, they just don't get it. Fortunately, my man gets it.

Ever since we got married, Bryant and I have made a habit of writing notes to one another around the house. Sometimes it's a sticky note on a closet door, sometimes it's a message on the mirror, sometimes it's a couple of sentences on a "just because" greeting card, or sometimes it even shows up on the computer (like this...)

(circa fall 2011)

When Bryant goes out of town for any amount of time, he always leaves me a love note to find. The note is usually tucked underneath the covers, that way I'm reminded of him right before I fall asleep. This past week Bryant was gone for a couple of days for his TA position, which meant it was just me and Teddy holding down the home front. On this particular trip, Bryant really outdid himself with the sticky note surprises.

First, when I got in the car to drive home from work, I saw this...


And then when I got home, I checked in the usual spot for my note. Sure enough, there it was! I just couldn't wait until bedtime to find it :)


When I went into the bathroom to take off my jewelry, I opened my drawer and found yet another note!


The last one was probably my absolute favorite. I went into the kitchen, opened up the snack cupboard, and literally laughed out loud when I saw this...

Bryant knows me too well! It's no secret that I don't cook (at all), so I usually resort back to my college eating habits when Bryant isn't around to make dinner for me. That means popcorn or chips constitutes a meal...sad, I know. I am proud to report that (either because of or in spite of Bryant's note...you decide) I only ate one bag of popcorn while Bryant was away! Go me! :)

It was merely four sticky notes with a few words on them, but the impact was huge. I felt loved and special and valued. Have I mentioned that words of affirmation is my love language? That boy sure knows how to "speak" to me :)

The End of an Era

Change and I have never been the best of friends. I am sentimental, emotional, and a lover of stability. Change seems to go against all of those things. Change forces you to say goodbye when you're not ready to. Change makes you let go and move on to another chapter, whether you like it or not.

One chapter in my life is closing this month and I'm having a hard time with it.

About 14 or so years ago, my grandparents became "snowbirds" and began heading south for the winter to the great state of Arizona. They eventually bought a cute little place down there and made Mesa, AZ their second home. It was only natural that the entire family would want to come and visit them and escape the cold, snowy weather of Washington. And visit we did! My first visit down there will always be engrained in my memory. I was 12 years old and I flew on an airplane by myself for the very first time!! I still remember what outfit I was wearing that day :) My grandparents picked me up from the airport and then introduced me to the laid back Arizona lifestyle.

A super blurry photo of me on my first trip to Arizona.

Side note: I showed Bryant this picture and he said (I quote), "That is dangerous that they allow antelope so close to that pool." Thank you, loving husband of mine. He does have a point though...it has taken me many years to grow into those looooonnnnggg legs!

At 12 years old, my love affair with Arizona began. Every little thing became a treasured experience...hiking in the desert, views of cacti and palm trees, dinner outside, daily swims in the pool, the smell of orange blossoms, Grandma's popcorn, biking around the neighborhood, playing bocce ball. I was swallowed up by the beauty of the place and I knew I would be back. Many more visits followed...one with both my parents, one with just my mom, one with just my dad, and another with Bryant last year. Each and every one of them have been special.

Hiking with my mom and grandpa (2006)

Bocce ball (2006)

Riding bikes with my grandparents (2009)

Mesa, Arizona has become my little haven. It's my escape from the cold, from my worries, and from the daily grind of life. I love going there and knowing I don't have to worry about my appearance because everyone is 55 or older...no need to stress about what I look like in a swimsuit! :) I love the itty bitty home that belongs to my grandparents and the many memories that have been made there. I never tire of sitting on their back patio drinking coffee and eating oranges right off of their orange tree. Or reading a book in a lawn chair and listening to the chatter of birds and friendly neighbors. Or playing cards with my grandparents while drinking freshly squeezed lemonade. That place is special, to say the least.

I always knew that someday my grandparents would sell their place and that our Arizona retreat would be no more. Sadly, that day has come. My grandparents have officially sold their place. And while it's hard knowing that next month will be the last one my grandparents will ever spend in their Mesa home, at least I've been given time to process this big change. We found out last April that this was coming, so Bryant and I knew that we needed to go one more time and bid farewell to a place that has been a constant in my life for over 12 years.

This past January, we took our final trip to 608 Navajo St. The weather was colder than usual and it rained while we were there for the very first time. Something about the trip just felt different than the other visits. Bryant said maybe that was good, maybe having things be different would make it easier to say goodbye. In the end, regardless of cooler temperatures, we still got to do all of the things that made me fall in love with Arizona in the first place.

We went hot tubbing every night :)

And on our final day there, the sun came out and we rode our bikes for the very last time around the neighborhood. The sun was warm on my skin, the palm trees were picturesque, and the breeze was nice and gentle. It was like Arizona was blowing me a kiss goodbye.


It's the end of an era. But what an exceptional era it was!! Thank you grandma and grandpa for creating a place where your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were able to make lasting memories. It will always be one of my favorite places on earth.

Farewell, 608 Navajo St. You've been so good to us.

Lately...

This post is neither here nor there. It is just pure randomness at it's finest. Read on if you so choose...

My nephew Griffin turned five earlier this month. FIVE!! I remember the day he was born so well. I missed an exam just so I could be there and my professor wouldn't let me make it up (I had some serious words in my head for that woman). But it was worth it (and I still got an A in the class...take that, Ms. strict and cold-hearted!). Anywho...I remember Joel coming out of the operating room holding that itty bitty baby and saying "It's a boy!" I was convinced Griff was a girl, so that definitely took me by surprise. I remember holding Parker and watching him see his little brother for the first time. I remember Amy and Joel coming home from the hospital, a new family of four. Where does the time go?? Fast forward a few years and now that sweet, firecracker of a boy is five. Sigh. I can hardly believe it.


Speaking of my little loves, guess who is going to be an auntie for the 7th time?! That's right, come July I will have seven nieces and nephews (all ages 7 and under!!). Up 'til now, there are 4 boys and 2 girls. But the ladies are having a comeback and lucky number 7 is going to be a girl! Oh happy day! Girls come with all sorts of attitude and spice, but they are soooo much easier to shop for :)

I've been a bit of an emotional wreck lately. Work is stressful and it is pushing me to my breaking point. I'm still adjusting to the new pup. I don't know where Bryant and I will be come May when he graduates. I don't have time to accomplish even the small tasks that need to get done. All of those things combined are making me feel a little out of sorts, a little overwhelmed, and a little lost. I think I'm finally admitting to myself that I might have an anxiety problem (I've been trying to fight that statement for a long time). But even in the midst of this unfamiliar and chaotic place I'm in right now, I've got an awesome support system. I am beyond grateful for my husband, and my friends, and my family - they've been pretty spectacular sounding boards for me as of late.


One of those amazing friends is Courtney. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love that girl! God knew she and I were supposed to be friends :) Both of us HATE the phone, so a few weeks ago we did a coffee Skype date instead of a phone chat. We both went to Starbucks and got drinks beforehand so it would feel more authentic...you know, like a real coffee date :) We talked almost as long as we did when we met each other for the very first time in a Starbucks in Colorado, almost 2 1/2 years ago. One of the best parts about the Skype date (aside from girl talk, of course) was that our husbands finally got to "meet" each other!! Thank you technology :)

We had a Super Bowl party a few weeks back. It wasn't technically a party since I only invited our friends Kim and Dylan over, but it was a shindig none the less. Teddy entertained us all when the less than thrilling game did not, and the food was pretty scrumptious too.

Deep in conversation :)

Speaking of Kim and Dylan (our new couple friends - hard to find in this town, let me tell ya!), the four of us went to so see the Laugh Out Loud comedy tour last week. The tour was presented by The Second City, which is a comedy club in Chicago that has produced a number of famous alumni including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Joan Rivers, and Chris Farley (just to name a few). The show had me in tears I was laughing so hard!! Seriously the funniest thing I've seen in years...it was oh so good for my soul :)

Bryant's parents came to visit this weekend and they gave us the greatest gift ever! They brought us our wedding video!! Why is that so exciting? Because we've been married for over two years and we've never seen it. EVER. It got misplaced at his parent's house (which made me incredibly sad and frustrated), but it was finally found!! I can't wait to watch it and relive that amazing day :) Aside from the video, the visit itself was equally great. Not only did I get to see Bryant's parents and have an incredible heart-to-heart convo with his mom, but we got to see his sister and brother-in-law and our handsome nephew too!

Car? Check. Puppy. Check? What else should we buy? Hmmm...how about a fancy shmancy camera? Bryant and I have been seriously considering getting a nice camera for about a year now since we both really love photography (and since Ghetto Cam, as we affectionately call it, is pushing 7 years and is now a little slow on the uptake). After Bryant's grandma passed away last year, all of the grandkids were given some money with the request that it be spent on something special that she would have loved. We knew immediately that a camera would be perfect. Grandma Jo loved family and making memories. What better way to celebrate that than buying something that would help capture memories being made? We did a bit of research, consulted photography blogs, and even got the advice of a bonafide photographer, my sister-in-law :) In the end, we bought a Canon Rebel T2i and two lenses (18 - 55mm and 55 - 250 mm). We are still learning how to use it properly, but I'm already in love with how great of photos it takes. And with a Europe trip in the works for this summer, this delightful new toy couldn't have come at a better time!

An up close photo of one of the roses from my Valentine's Day bouquet

Soooo, how was that for random? All done :)

Hats Off to 2011

Today is February 12, 2012. I am well aware of that fact. I am also well aware that most people (ok, everyone) in the blogging world posted a recap of 2011 a long time ago. You would think that at this point, a month and a half into the New Year, I would just give up on doing my recap post and swear I'll do one next year. Not so, my friends, not so. Last year was a memorable one and I don't want to forget about all the adventures I had or the lessons I learned, so I'm determined to record it right here, right now. I've always danced to the beat of a different drum and done things my own way, so why don't you take a few minutes and dance along memory lane with me? :)

The year of 2011, in brief...

January

We experienced two very different climates...night skiing with our dear friend Kelsy B. in zero degree weather and a trip to sunny Arizona to visit my grandparents.

February

Griffin turned 4 and the whole family joined in on the celebration. More on that here. And my sister and I had one of the best, most memorable date nights ever.

March

Bryant and I set off on a nine day cruise to Mexico! Aside from backpacking through Europe together, it was my favorite vacation that Bryant and I have been on as a couple.

April

The month of April was all about family. We had a mini family reunion in Idaho, complete with epic dance moves. My mom came to town to drink wine with me :) And Bryant and I made a visit to the West side to celebrate a special baby shower.

May

This month set a string of birthday celebrations in motion! Hollyn Joy turned one and my sis turned the big 3-0 (complete with a surprise party!). May was also the month when an internet friendship became real...Courtney and Jenn came to visit!!

June

The birthday celebrations continued as 4 family members (including myself) turned another year older and a brand new little guy made his way into the world. Somewhere in between all the festivities, we fit in a weekend getaway to Seattle to visit lots of wonderful friends and a date night at our college football field to watch a movie on the big screen.

July

We went camping twice in the month of July...once at my family's 4th of July camp out (in my parents' yard) and again in Idaho with my sister's family and their small group. The highlight of July was a whirlwind trip to Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. I chaperoned a group of visiting Middle Eastern students who came to learn about journalism in the United States. I learned more about the amazing people and culture of the Middle East in 11 days of travel than I ever did in 16 years of school. It was life changing. I hope to write more about it on here someday.

Watching one of the Middle Eastern students take in the beauty of the Columbia River

At Google headquarters with some of the students

San Francisco

Washington D.C.

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

August

Just days after returning from Washington D.C., Bryant and I hopped on a plane and traveled with his entire family to Michigan. This too was a trip I won't soon forget. One of the most special moments was getting to meet Bryant's grandpa for the first time. A stroke left him unable to speak a few years ago, but his spirit and personality that I was always told about are definitely still there!

September

We bought our car! It was our first adult purchase as a married couple.

October

October was the month of outdoor fun! First a sibling date at our local farming community and then a weekend with my girlfriends under the shadow of Mt. Baker. And don't forget Halloween!

November

Another girls weekend with the four sisters (Me, Amy, Jenn, and Courtney), this time in Colorado! I love those girls to pieces.


And then there was Thanksgiving! Filled with delicious food, olives stuffed on fingers, and family game night :)

December

Ahhh...my favorite month! Bryant and I rocked it at an ugly sweater Christmas party with my co-workers. We totally walked away with the grand prize (a bobble head Santa). And we celebrated the birth of Christ by spending time with family. Our 2nd anniversary was the cherry on top of an already wonderful month and we spent a romantic few days walking around Portland in the rain, ordering room service, eating world famous donuts, and drinking champagne :)


2011 was a GREAT year! Aside from all of the fantastic memories that were made (as witnessed by the many photos above), I also learned a lot too. I learned that I can be content where I am. I learned that sometimes people behave the way they do because life isn't simple and people hide a lot of pain and ugly emotions behind their put together facade. I learned that God's voice can be heard loud and clear if you only take a moment to listen. 2011 was a growing year for me. I experienced some unpleasant things, like pain, anger, loneliness, and depression at times (April was the darkest month of my life). However, I mostly experienced joy, friendship, hope, excitement, and love. I feel wiser and stronger and more aware of who I am after last year. I look back and I am in awe of this life that I get to live. I hope 2012 brings even more global adventures, more life lessons, and more delightful memories my way!

Cheers!