This month of May.

I have this silly whiteboard calendar that I use to gauge all of the most important things in life with. One of those most important things is what we are going to have for dinner. Another important thing is any big life-changing event. I get super giddy when I can erase the former months activities and start on a new month. It makes that said months big events seem much more tangible and closer, like they are pretty much going to happen any day. May felt like this. Right when I could write May at the top of the board I just knew that this month would zoom on by. And it has. In a good way, I think. For example, one event on my infamous whiteboard calendar was our move to Denver, Colorado. And although it did seem like a ways a way when I scribbled it in, it came all of the sudden.

Denver seems like a dandy place. It's supposedly known for its outdoorsy-ness (even though all I can really see are freeways). It boasts of being awfully close to the Rockies, which is an impressive sight. If you happen to have any knowledge of the Denver area we'd love to hear it. Especially if it includes, but is not limited to the following: local eating joints, good bike trails, even better hiking trails, and really breathtaking weekend/day trips. Brandon and I are determined to enjoy this summer in its fullest.

My whiteboard calendar also includes the 3rd year anniversary of our marriage. And folks, today is that day. This very day, three years ago Brandon and I sealed the deal. And I am ever so grateful for that each and every day. Brandon is truly my better half. I am so in love with him and each day that love grows even more. Although I am not quite sure how that happens, it does, and it is truly wonderful.

And although I feel like this is a monumental day (because it is), that everyone should stop and pay some recognition to it, that there should probably be some fireworks to celebrate its greatness, and at the very least Brandon should have the day off so we can frolic around this new city, it is not. Instead I am home thinking about the love of my life and how it's pretty much a crime that he has to work and we can't spend every single moment of it together. Sigh. I guess it's moments like these that help that love grow even more each day.

So here's to three perfect years of grand marriage. And getting to be with my forever, forever.

Wishing you the very best for the rest of your May.

Sunday walks.

It has been said by some of the most intelligent people ever that January and February are the most dreary and awful months of the year. (That is why we have the New Years Man and the Valentine's Man, which is an entirely different post in and of itself) Well, at least it is that way is some places. One of those places happens to be Idaho. And maybe that's not really a direct quote, but I am sure someone really really smart said it once not too long ago...

Brandon and I weren't going to have any of that nonsense. We weren't going to let the 20 degree weather keep us inside. Or the bitter wind. Or the snow. Or the fact that we couldn't feel our cheeks or our noses. We were going to show this winter who the boss was (which is us by the way) and have a nice time outside. And we did. Most ever Sunday we found a little path, or we made our own path, and got the heck outside. It is so nice to feel the sun (or at least imagine it was the sun that we felt). So, here's the living proof that we were really did have a lot of fun regardless of the sub-par conditions.

This is me making sure my nose and cheeks are still there. I thought I had stored up enough fat in those cheeks to keep them warm forever. I suppose I need just a tad bit more :)

I was always under the impression that these little buggers flew south for the winter. At least that's why the movie Fly Away Home always taught me, a little disappointed here.

You know it's going to be a good walk when it involves snow shoes.

And it's so bright outside that you do fun squinty eyed smiles

And sometimes on walks you find quirky metal contraptions that are called art by most.

See folks, living proof. And they were all great memories. And hopefully March will bring more sun and walks that don't require quite as many layers :)

Twenty thirteen

  2013 has treated us well so far. All 35 days of it. Although it started a little rocky with a pretty large pile of  senior papers and a cold that had its way with me and the fact that Brandon spent the first 9 days (although it felt more like 99 days) in Montana working, we’ve been mighty blessed. 

 

My paper grading station.

First off, I got a long-term subbing job. That deserves a high five folks! And although I am working with quite a bit younger kiddos than planned, it’s great. As a matter of fact, I think they are some of the most intuitive and tactless ones I met. Let me give you an example. Last week a first grader told me that my scarf just did not go with my shirt. She said that although my scarf did look cozy the look just wasn’t working for her. What she didn’t know is that I was having the same exact thoughts that morning. Then a fourth grader asked me if I had woken up late one day. Now, I knew were this was going, and thought I would just roll with it. After saying no and asking why she would think such a thing, she sheepishly explained that my hair looked a little messy. Well, gee thanks. This coming from the girl that asked if I could adopt her; she needs a different angle.

 I do have some pretty great stories, most of them revolving recess. Seriously, it's better than prime time television, maybe even the bachelor, maybe ;)

Speaking of the bachelor, I am just tossed. None of the girls seem lilke real winners and I am getting real sick of these monologues of Sean working out. Are you with me? Oh, and Tierra is pretty much crazy.

 

We’ve also spent some time in the lovely Island Park. Our home away from home, and as Brandon calls it, Zion. I got to watch Brandon be an impressive snow-machiner and take some award winning photographs (at least in my professional opinion). We truly love our Island Park. 

See, impressive.

See, cutie pie :)

See, award winning photography.

On kinda a different note Brandon and I have dabbled in snowshoeing. We are about sick of being stuck inside and this seems like a good fit. We went to the local ski resort paid our five dollar entrance fee and hit the hills. And oh my goodness was it fun! Taking big leaps down snowy hills with real fresh air and sun and trees is just wonderful. But then, the realization hit that soon that thirty minutes of downhill glory must eventually turn into an hour of strenuous straight up the hill pure torture. But we made it, and I think we might even go back.

A snow show adventure.

Plowing through.

Heck yes.

Look, the sun made an appearance.

 And now, looking back through these 35 days, I am thinking that we’ve had a good start, and 2013 is going to be one of those really great years (besides the fact that it is an odd numbered year-they just rub me wrong for some reason).  Let’s kick this winter in the bum and show it how it should really be, yes? I think so :)

Brag shesh, round two.

I need to do a little bragging about my Brandon. And yes, I know I did this not too long ago. But, when I think about my life and the important things in it, Brandon always tops it. Always. I can name at least 10 things that he does for me everyday, just because. But today, it was like he was super man times 100! I just feel so thankful and blessed and really just need to do a little bragging. This is how today went:

Alarms went off, I snoozed, Brandon got up so I didn't have to. When I was getting ready he sorted the laundry (as I was pointing out to him which items of clothes he should probably include, I am seriously horrible. It went like this, "Brandon you should probably come in here and grab some, there's a lot of dirty clothes.." goodness me). 

Let me preface the rest of his awesomeness with saying that this week was his finals week. Everyday this week he went to school early and came home late. When I had finals, by the end of them I collapsed on the couch with a good book and took a three day vacation. Not Brandon. 

After finishing his last final this morning he cleaned the house, bathrooms, kitchen, vacuumed, the works. Did the laundry. Like all of it. Like folded it and put it away even. Ran lots of errands. Returned things that I didn't want to return (returning things could possibly me one of my least favorite things ever). Brought in the dry cleaning. Brought me lunch! And amidst all of this, organized a 12 days of Christmas for me. Like, presents for each day, a riddle for each day, wrapped and everything. And it started today. And I opened a scarf I've been ogling over and some chocolates.

And that was only at 3 in the afternoon.

This man is superman, and he's mine :)

I am seriously, so so so lucky. I love my Brandon. 

babysitting to the extreme.

This past week was quite the adventure. I can honestly say that I don't think I've been more out of my element, ever. This is entirely because I started changing hundreds of lives by becoming a highly skilled and pretty affordable full-time babysitter (also known as a substitute in most cases). And holy cow is that stressful!

For example, on Monday I took on a job of 5 kindergarten art classes. Having 24 of those little bodies in one place at one time and then be expected to teach them something should be illegal! Don't get me wrong, we had a blast drawing abstract art, and listening to all of the interesting facts about their lives. One girl informed me that just last week she broke her arm and her foot, but thankfully she made a full and quick recovery. I also had a battle with the bathroom. I couldn't help but laugh when one girl said she really really really really really needed to use the restroom, but came back minutes later realizing that she actually never really had to.

Then don't get me started on the 5th graders who were convinced I was a high school student. I wanted to have a heart-to-heart and explain to them that a high school student, just like them, would still be in class, and also would never be permitted to teach them. Instead, I took it with class and a giggle and let them know that being short is really a cool thing and has quite the adventages, albeit in disguise sometimes.

But the week was utterly exhausting, it didn't help that I caught some sort of bug that pretty much dominated me. Every day felt like the first day on the job. Every school a new place, every student a new face, and all different rules and procedures in each case. (see what I did there? nifty, huh?)

But, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience this little adventure. I feel like I've learned more than I ever expected I would and that I have been tested in a new and almost unfair way. I've had to be out of my zone, which I really detest, and on my toes at all times. But, the smiles, the fact that they want to sit and chat, and that they think I am nice, and that they trust me makes it all worth it. And in the end, I really do hope that I make a difference in these little kids lives. I might only see them once, but I hope that something I do or say helps them become better in some way. Even though I often feel like a belittled and slightly insignificant babysitter, I do realize my job is important and for that reason I plan to do a dang good job at it. So here's to trying new things, learning new things, and making that difference, even it at times it seems almost nonexistent.

a little decorating and a lot of photos.

My craftiness has reached extreme limits these last few weeks. Like, my life revolves around Hobby Lobby coupons and Pinterest craft boards. And let me tell you, both of those categories are dangerous. Very dangerous. But, this crafting obsession of mine usually takes over when we move into a new apartment. New walls need decorating and rearranging needs to be completed. The major project I embarked on this time around was my gallery wall. We had one in our last apartment but it was borderline pathetic. I mean, I liked it but it lacked some necessary photo gallery necessities. I've looked at tons of tons of examples and have read lots of tutorials, and have spent more time than is probably advisable designing and creating it. . And now, it is done. Yay! There are a few things I would change next time around and some things that I especially enjoy, but mostly I love the bright new colors and all of the fun family photos. Now, I am going to flood with you more pictures than you would probably ever like to see, but I am just so dang excited about it :)

Ta da!

The planning process..

Lots of spray painting was involved, obviously the orange didn't quite make the cut..

A very necessary side view..

This one took a little more thought, but I found the idea here and couldn't resist!

These little guys were a steal of a deal at Hobby Lobby and I quite enjoy them.

I love that circle frame and that big S.

I really like this. I got the idea from Pinterest and it just seemed so fitting for our lives and our photo wall and just a nice little reminder.

I couldn't resist adding this little gem in here.

I think this photo is so classic. Brittany's facial expression and Fallon looking so uncomfortable and Seth looking so so so awkward.

Now, a lot of the pictures are crooked, and the colors don't totally match, and I really need something underneath the photos like a side table or something, or the photos need to go to the bottom...really there's more than one problem. But, I like it. A lot. It's so fun to have all of these to look at and reminiscence. Ahh, crafting is really a good thing.

fun in McCall.

Last night I was doing some serious reminiscing over the last few months. I was scrolling through all of my iPhoto photos and exclaiming just how much fun our summer was, when Brandon said something very un-Brandon-like. He said, why don't you blog about it? Gasp! Now, Brandon has never been 100% on board with the idea of blogging. Something about putting our private lives out to the world doesn't sit quite right with him. But, the fact that he suggested it was most shocking and led me to believe that maybe it was time.

But really, we have had a most fabulous summer, but instead of giving you a play by play of all our adventures I will just update you with this past weekend, because it was truly lovely.

So Brandon and I moved to Boise, for all of you who didn't know this. Brandon is schooling and I am working...(ha). Oh, and let's talk about Boise for one minute. Who votes that is it spelled funny? I do. And then pronounced funny? I do, again. Pure rubbish.

Anyhow, we traveled to the picturesque town of McCall, Idaho. (And now I am going to produce several grammatically incorrect run-on sentences to tell you about this since I feel like this post is already dragging on...)

We drove up on Friday morning, the drive was gorgeous, we arrived, met with a cute little forest service man who recommended a hike that he said was for beginners, but really wasn't (I think) because we had to scale some serious rocks to see the waterfall at the end and then hike back up, like straight up for a mile, which is never really fun, especially at ridiculous elevations, but it was probably worth it, even though I was a little nervous for bears, which I often get while hiking during peak huckleberry season in a high bear populated area without any bear spray. 

The drive.

The rocks that were scaled.

 

The waterfall.

Then we checked into our quaint little Best Western that proved to be slightly better than anticipated with the hot tub in our room that we didn't quite trust, because bathtubs in hotels give Brandon the heebbie geebies, but we didn't stay long since we still wanted to try paddle boarding on the glass-like Payette lake, which once paddle boarding didn't feel so glass-like. (I am pretty sure the jet skiers that drove past us several times were hoping their little wake would result in some major wipe-outs from the obviously amateur paddle boarders, which it didn't, take that.)

This was so fun.

Brandon quite enjoyed it too.

We then ate dinner, which actually was very educational because we realized how totally obsessed people are with BSU football, even in a remote-ish tourist town.

We slept, but that didn't go well, since we took an impromptu field trip to our car at 3:07 in the AM to get some much needed Excedrin Migraine (I tried to sneak out on my own but Brandon wouldn't hear of it) I looked so fashionista like with my pink socks and leopard flats.

Our adventure ended with a ski lift ride to a very tall mountain, only so we could traverse our way down on said mountain on mountain bikes, which sounds really easy and fun, and all, unless you are slightly (or maybe more than slightly) afraid of going downhill on a bike. Thankfully we took the trail that meandered its way down the mountain that was actually quite pleasant except for the 6 inches of quicksand/really loose dirt at every turn that really through me for a loop (thankfully not in the literal sense).

Great views.

He is soooo much better at this than me, I think I walked that hill.

Oh, and I guess that the drive home was pretty eventful because we wanted to see Ontario, Oregon so bad that we took a different route that was sworn to only add 20 minutes (lies) but actually added 60 miles, when it did come time to see Ontario my phone said to go straight so we listened (not very smart on my part) and we missed the town, but if you squinted you could see it in the distance, which sufficed because the car was getting quite claustrophobic by that point.

So, it's pretty apparent that we had quite the adventurous little weekend. We really do love a good adventure, which works out well since I am feeling like our life is just that at this point. 

We really do have a fun time together.