Movin' on up....Litterally

So we are moving- Up North. Out of my beloved Davis County and Bountiful-Centerville-Farmington-Kaysville area. Those of you who know me well are probably sitting with dropped jaws wondering if I'm feeling ok. I feel great, so don't worry!! I've lived out of the State before and during the bulk of my 20's I lived in Salt Lake City. I love Salt Lake, especially the areas I lived in (Sugar House, Foot Hill and Down Town). I have NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS thought I would EVER move to the Ogden area. But I now find myself moving to Plain City. It is just west of North Ogden (Brandon keeps telling me North Ogden is better than Ogden).

It was by accident really. Brandon and I have always had plans to live closer to the kids, we discussed it in length while we dated. But we weren't actively looking, just every now and then. A few weeks ago, Brandon came across a house while waiting for Laura at dance. It's a small house. I call it a cottage. And it is only 7 miles from the kids. We were looking at a house literally up the street from the kids but this one just feels better.

So I find myself trying to stay on top of school and getting ready to move. ARGH!!! What I'm struggling with most is moving away from my family and friends. I've always been blessed with a lot of amazing friends spread all over, but I will no longer be 30 min away for last-minute dinner dates with girl friends. All my family live in Bountiful with the exception of my Dad and a few siblings. I struggled with leaving my job at STAR for the same reason. I felt such close bonds/connections with some of the people there. I guess I now just have to put more of an effort into my relationships. So despite me being nervous, the calm remains. This calm I have found in my life is unshakable. It is probably the biggest blessing in my life. The calm is constant. I've worked hard to achieve it but through grace I found it.

On Tuesday night, B and I took a walk around Plain City to talk about the devotional he was to give that night to a ward in Clearfield. As we were walking, that peace overcame me, stronger than normal. I knew this was going to be good. Things were good and will continue to be good as long as I keep doing what I've been doing.

So there ya go. I am now pretty excited about our move. To get into our little cottage and get back into the groove of things. Cooking dinner, homework, etc....I'm now just dreading the moving part.

Kitty Balls????

So a few weeks ago I was taking a nap when I heard a cat screaming. I mean really screaming. I didn't think much of it, figured a cat had been run over or something, so I went on with my nap. Then a couple weeks later, I'm going out to the garage for something before Brandon and I head off to a meeting. As I go in the garage, I hear this scurrying noise. I look down and there are these little eyes, blinking back at me. It totally freaks me out, even though I realize it's just kittens. I run in the house and tell Brandon there are a bunch of kittens in the garage. He thought I was nuts. I drag him out there and we can't hear a thing. At this point, now I think I'm crazy. But then, there's that scurrying noise again. Brandon and I find 4 baby kittens, only a few weeks old. One in particular was really fiesty....it hissed at Brandon when he got near. I decided he was my favorite since he had spunk.

We left for our meeting and when we came home, we noticed a black cat hanging out at the edge of our lawn. We assumed it was mom and so went to bed. Brandon put food out every night and that weekend, when the kids came, they rounded up the kittens. All four of them. I am not a cat person. I just don't really like them. But kittens are cute and I don't mind too bad that they brought them in because we aren't keeping them. So the kids are having fun and Laura named them all. I asked if they knew if they were boys or girls. Laura told me that there were two boys and two girls.

I thought about this for a minute. I've never noticed if a cat was male or female. It isn't obvious like it is on a dog, or at least that is what I thought. I made the huge mistake of asking "How do you guys know?". Brandon in a very proud voice replies, "Cuz they have kitty balls." Without missing a beat, Lilly holds one up and says, "See!". Well, sure enough, there they were. And then our dear sweet Elizabeth goes, "Want to see this one's kitty balls?!?!", and she holds up the other male. And the entire family busts into laughter and I have no idea what on earth just happened. Is this sexual harrassment of a kitten??? I dunno but that was definitely a funny moment in our house last weekend!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Last Saturday was our one year anniversary. The past year has flown by. I still giggle when I think of the fact that we eloped. We had been engaged about two weeks when Brandon called me one afternoon and asked if I would hop in a car and just head to Vegas. Brandon and I have both been married before. We wanted to get married in an LDS temple but knew that the process to do so, having both been sealed to our first spouses, would take months to receive Church clearance/cancelation in order to do so. Both of our Bishops advised us to get married civilly and then pursue a temple sealing. With it being our second wedding, and since our first choice of a temple ceremony wasn't an option due to the time it would take, we had started planning a small wedding at my aunts house and were really excited. The next thing I know, we end up in Vegas!!

I will always cherish the memories and conversations we had during the hours leading up to our wedding. To some, getting married in Vegas may seem a bit selfish (some even wanted to be there and we understand that-- big apologies to Amber and Pookie) or unconventional, but ultimately it was what we wanted and we have never regretted the decision. A few weeks later, we had a celebration with friends and family - celebrating our new union and especially our new family. We had so much fun.

For our anniversary this year we spent they day in the Bountiful Temple. Early that morning, we went out to breakfast, then B took me shopping for a new dress and then we went to the Temple. Brandon and I volunteer in the temple's cafeteria every other Saturday doing dishes and it was our Saturday to be there. After we were done working, we ate dinner in the cafeteria and then did a session. We had planned to go out to a movie after, but ended up home watching a video, snacking on crab, grapes and cheese. It was honestly one of the best days ever.

Brandon, I never knew that love, a relationship, and a marriage could be like this. I am blessed beyond measure to have you as my husband. You sacrifice so much to take care of our family and I love you for it. Thank you for being my best friend. For staying up late with me, talking into the night. For holding my hand. For listening. For making me laugh on a daily basis. For being so brutally honest with me. Thank you for everything you do for me. Thank you for the texts and phone calls and emails throughout my day to tell me you love and adore me and are thinking of me. Thank you for letting me in and for allowing me to know all of you. You are such an amazing man. I love you.

Gone Fishing

I went fishing as a kid, but not really ever as an adult. Brandon got me into it last summer...So I had been asking to go fishing for weeks....and today it finally happened. B woke me up early this morning and we headed out. Last night, I asked him what time we were getting up and he informed me it was better that I not know, I just needed to get up and get in the car. And ya know what? He was right! I didn't ask what time it was, I got up, brushed my teeth and climbed in the car. I now know it was before 6 a.m. and I think the fact that I didn't know the actual time made it easier for me. I know you are thinking, "what on earth, that makes no sense". I'm not going to question it. It makes sense for me.

Brandon asked me if I had ever been in to Bowman's (our local grocery store) early in the morning when their bakery was just opening up. I stared at him and he grinned. We didn't need to go any further, we both knew I hadn't (I'm not a morning person). Walking into the store and being hit with that amazing smell was a little bit of heaven! We grabbed some doughnuts and milk and hit the road. We stopped briefly at Rockport Reservoir before heading up to "our spot" at Smith and Morehouse.

There is really only one way to describe our day of fishing. JACK POT!! We walked down to a spot we really like behind the "lake". There in a pool was over a dozen fish. Brandon easily caught four in the first 20 minutes, I was not too far behind him. He asked me if I wanted to go for a hike, I agreed and off we went down the river. We spent the rest of the day hiking down the river. Crossing back and forth several times, getting cold and wet but having a blast. We kept catching fish after fish. We both caught easily over a dozen. We brought four home for dinner. By the time we got back to the car it was after 1 p.m. We then went for a drive, got some lunch and then came home for a nap.

It was a simple day. But we decided that it was probably the coolest thing we had done all summer. I love the days we spend together and when we are spontaneous. I love how Brandon is always taking care of me. He sometimes tries to help me too much (which is a great quality), I never have to carry stuff, or open my door, and he always holds my hand, etc. I made him show me how to set up my own line so I could do it though, last year he always set mine up for me. But no more! I can now do it just fine. Brandon says he loves my independence and that I like to do things on my own, which is a good thing, because I'm not changing!

Brandon, I love you! I had so much fun with you today. I love that we sit and talk and talk. From the important to the silly. I love just talking with you and I love that you are a talker! I also love that we can sit in silence and just be together. I love that you made me laugh all day today. My sides hurt sometimes from you making me laugh. Thank you for teaching me, helping me. For being my best friend. Today was a good day. I love you B!

Quick Update

Well, I have not been good at the blogging thing lately. Our last month of summer has been so hectic!! The kids had their two weeks of uninterrupted time with their mom starting on August 8th. They went back to school on August 23rd and it is their year to spend Labor Day with their mom. So needless to say, we have had one Thursday night dinner with them since then. It has been really hard for us. We have missed them, a lot,but that is just how it works out sometimes. We are excited to go to dinner tonight and can't wait for the next three weeks to be over and back to having them over on the weekend!!

My Dad came into town with my brother and sister. Technically they are my half siblings, but I don't think of them that way....but wanted to clarify since it sometimes confuses people. I had not seen them since last September, so was really excited to have them stay with us. Ashi's school started in the middle of it though, so I only got to spend a couple of days with her. We spent one day at the spa getting our toes done and then shopping til we dropped!! Brandon colored her hair. Yes, Brandon. We had fun going to movies, out to eat and just hanging with my Dad and brothers during the week.

I started back at Weber State on the 22nd of August. This has been a big change for me, as I have quit my full time job. I have never not worked (Except for 5 months in 2005). I was really nervous but am doing ok with all the changes. Brandon started his semester as well and is teaching full time for Weber State University. They have asked him to teach some additional courses and he is really liking his new job.

We had our one year anniversary!! Woot woot! No one knew because we eloped and didn't tell anyone for four weeks. I just giggle at this still. What an amazing memory. Our mission is going great and we love every minute of it. So this is the real quick run down of where we have been the past month!!! Will post again soon with more detail!!