16.5.12

things

Things I will miss:
{Taylor and Polo's ritual, sweet Marco and Polo, seeing Camelback mountain every day, "going" to work with Taylor, helping pick colors and details for all the pretty houses}

We are both ecstatic about the move! But every now and then I get a little sad. I know I'll love D.C. and I know it's going to be so fun, and we're making the best choice! But I sure hope we get to move back here {specifically about 2 blocks East of where we are now, one North?} someday.
I love you Phoenix! You are SOOOOOO much better than Mesa ;) 



15.5.12

two years


two years later:
we're twice as happy
and more than twice as much in love

Thank you Taylor for loving me, for sticking with me and having patience during the tough times, for always thinking of me first, for spoiling me, for teaching me so many things, for supporting me both emotionally and financially as I completed school, for putting up with all my little quirks, for learning to love all my little quirks ;) for doing the laundry, for washing the dishes every time I make dinner, for being my workout buddy even though sometimes I'm cranky,
and for letting me trick you into being sealed to me for time and all eternity :)
I love you so much, and the past two years have been the best of my life! I can't wait for all the crazy adventures we'll have in year three!



11.5.12

all the times we had together

Lately I've been of the mind set that I don't need to explain myself. And I find for the majority of decisions I make that is the case, however, I would like to give a brief explanation of my lack of blogging for the past several months:
Monday through Wednesday School from 8am until 5pm. Thursday through Saturday (most weeks) Internship from 8am until 5pm (on occasion, 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Every other waking moment: studying my @$$ off.
So forgive my absence, I'm baaaaack (don't worry, I said that out loud while I wrote, it a particularly creepy voice)

It's kind of incredible how I feel today. I honestly had no idea how much it meant to me that. Until last night when my friend Jewels stood up and gave her commencement speech on behalf of all us IPP-er's. I feel pretty darn good about myself, about all of us! We did it! We graduated the Interpreter Preparation Program! :)

School was really hard for me. The IPP was my THIRD program in school, I guess I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. And after a year break from everything, it was REALLY difficult to go back.

I am so grateful for Taylor and how much support and encouragement he has given me. I'm so grateful that he taught me the importance of education. I'm so grateful for his love and that every step of the way he believed in me.

I'm grateful for my class mates Bethany, Libby, Jewels, Doug, Consuelo, Kerry, Sara, Jen, Tina, and Tuesday for all the support, venting sessions, and kind words of encouragement throughout the IPP and Deaf studies programs the last few years!4

I'm grateful for Vicki, Windy, Michelle, Kay, and Deb for giving such productive and beneficial feedback, for always telling us how good we really are, and for being such amazing teacher's. Sure, there are amazing interpreters out there, but not everyone can TEACH interpreting. And just like that lady that none of us know how for political reasons(??) spoke at our graduation said, we really did have the best teacher's in the UNIVERSE! Thank you guys so much!

I'm grateful for my second mom and forever friend Loni Hatch so inspiring me to learn ASL in high school. I know you don't think you did much, but you SO did. I love you so much and am so grateful that you are in my life, and part of my forever family!

I'm grateful for my mentor, for all the interpreter's who let me observe them work, for all the volunteer experience I've had, for my calling at church which had made all the difference, and for my Heavenly Father and all the blessings he has poured out over me. I would not be where I am today with him and his love. 

I feel so good, and so proud of myself for not giving up when things got really difficult mid-semester. I'm proud of everything I've done, and everything all my IPP friends have done! We rock! :)

Also, anyone who has photos please EMAIL them to me! and I will do that same! :)

This is just a snippet of the photos that were taken, and yes I will be adding more :)
oh, and its probably about time I learn how to edit photos without picnik, since it's gone (sad day)...any tips?



















{no, we aren't twins, but after seeing this picture, I'm pretty sure we could be!}
{Riley got his mission call on graduation day! Milwaukee Wisconsin! I'm so proud of you Riley!}



13.2.12

we now return to our regularly scheduled programming

Last night Taylor gently reminded me its about time I post again. I couldn't agree more!
January was a busy busy month. February so far has been insane. And I'm currently realizing how quickly this semester may fly by, especially if we continue to be this busy!

Our January began like most do, with a slight twist. 
There were roughly 20 people at our home the night of December the 31st 2011. We had just finished an arousing game of "Celebrity" when the countdown began. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We proceeded to the back porch, where I proceeded to very nearly blow my entire hand off via firecracker.
There are two perspectives on the event:
1. The night was crisp and cool, the sound of the party guests laughter filled the air. The whole gang had gone outside where the handsome host, Sir Taylor, had elegantly arranged a multitude of explosives for the guests to engage themselves with. Sparklers were filling the air with thick smoke and dancing flares of brilliant light. In the midst of the activity, I was handed a firecracker. A most glorious, and beautiful firecrackers, whose sounds, I knew, would fill the air with tiny gun shots. Jeremy had just lit a match with which to ignite the remaining sparklers. I extend my right hand, firecracker grasped tightly, to light the fuse. Ssttttttssssssss. 
I was about to toss said firecracker, when out of nowhere someone stepped in front of me. I tried to change the direction of my release, but I held onto the sizzling time bomb one. second. too. long.
POP!
I knew in that instant I had to let go, I dropped the dreaded object and jumped out of the way, but it was too late. I look down at my hand, black as coal, and try to feel my fingers. No luck. It takes a second for the pain to register. All around me people rush to my aid. 
The rest of the night is spent being grateful my hand is still attached to the rest of me.

2. Everything from above, except not one soul stepped in front of me, everyone knows it, and I look like a huge idiot when I confidently blurt out "Taylor! Why did you step in front of me!". I knew the moment I said it that it was a lie. My sweet, forgiving, husband rushes me inside to ice and dress my wound.
The party winds down {probably because I killed it} and our lovely guests help clean up while I sit on the couch complaining.

So to our wonderful New Years guests: I am so grateful that I didn't burn my hand at the beginning of the night :). The party was a huge success and lot of fun and it was so nice to spend time with all of you!
--------------------

The rest of our January was extremely busy. I started my final semester of school, and a new internship. Taylor continued on his projects at work {doing a fine job if I do say so myself!}. We took a trip to Washington D.C. to check out Georgetown University and get a feel for our soon-to-be-new-home!
February so far has been just as busy {if not more} than January was. This semester is by far my hardest {in the sense that I have almost no time for myself, hence the two month gap between posts}. 
Taylor finished a home remodel {feel free to check it out! Him and his office did a beautiful job! Take the tour here}.
Taylor and I are continuing our training for the Ragnar Relay {Del Sol} on February 24th-25th. We are so so so so excited...to be done! We both have realized that running is a lot more fun when you don't HAVE to do it. Maybe I'll feel differently after the race {I'm told I will}, we'll see.
For the next few months I'll be studying for my final NIC exam, and doing my best to get straight A's. Taylor will continue his work, as well as preparing to enter the MBA program at Georgetown in the Fall.
We are so excited about all the new adventures coming up for us! {ie: my graduating and actually starting a CAREER{scary word}, moving to D.C., Taylor starting the MBA program, and who knows what else!}

peace.

31.12.11

Another Year Gone

I can't believe 2011 is over in just a few hours!
It's been a great year, and we've made a lot of great memories together. I seriously feel like this year has flown by! 2012 promises to be exciting and full of new adventures for Taylor and I.
We are so grateful for the people in our lives who made this year a remarkable one! All our families, friends, coworkers, peers, and strangers who were nice to us!
Thanks 2011! Looking forward to another great year!

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from 2011 {not in any order}:

{disney land oct 2011}
{disney land oct 2011: Ben, Stephanie, Taylor and I}



{lake powell: jordan, spenc, blake, taylor, kelcie}






{target practice: march 2011} 
{camelback with jenna bowman: spring 2011}
{girls trip! manda, sus, em, annie, susan, denise, karen, me, liz, cari} 
{my sweet bunny girl, i miss you buns!} 
{4th of July hike}
{Jackson: April Conference}
{my bunners}
{oh titus, you messy boy, i love you!} 
{hottttt} 
{micah and I, love you brother!}
{uncle tay and sweet little hank at early thanksgiving}

See you next year!

Christmas in Jackson

We got a lot of fun things for early Christmas, we even decided to exchange our own gifts to each other before actual Christmas day! The main reason for this was that....we went to Jackson for Christmas! {and checking bags is my least favorite thing}

We had a wonderful Christmas up in Jackson, just me and Taylor. It was so relaxing and beautiful. 
Mostly we read, and watched movies, and ate delicious food. However, we also spent equal amounts of time playing in the snow and enjoying the cold outdoors! Jackson is where my heart is its happiest, especially when I'm there with my sweet husband!










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While Jackson was a lovely getaway, we are happy to be home in Arizona!
{also, everyone should visit Jackson Hole Wyoming, seriously, you want to go to there. promise}