Home Sweet Home

James and I are have been here in Rexburg for almost six months. Woot woot. We love our little home, our little family, our little life. James is still working at his internship-turned-job and likes it most days. It's a little start up company and there are a lot of drawbacks to working for them. But we won't get into that today! He works with good people and he makes enough money for the two of us, which is a huge blessing. This is my last week of Core (5 week class where you learn EvERYthing there is to know about being a cosmotologist; hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, the chemical make up of the hair, Paul Mitchell products {the best in the world..trust me}, manicures, pedicures, facials, styling tools and how to "Be Nice or Else".) and then I move onto Protege for another two weeks and then I get to be out on the floor! So exciting.

James just got a new calling as a district leader in our ward. He basically oversees 5 or 6 families to make sure they're doing well and the men are doing their home teaching. I'm so proud of him and what a great priesthood holder he is and i'm looking forward to supporting him in this calling. I'm still the Fellowship Committee chair and I pretty much need to be the friendliest person in Relief Society and welcome all the new families into the ward. And because this ward is constantly circulating with people moving in and out, it's a nicely sized job.. I'm grateful for the people who help me and a supportive husband.

James and I are trying to be healthier. I mean, I buy whole grain cereals, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, wheat bread, lower fat everything(mostly), brown rice, cheese, I've been baking more with wheat flour, we don't drink a lot of soda, and I've even cut back on baked goodies, but what kills us is the late night snacking. It's like the best time to eat junk food!--it's the end of the day, you can finally relax and snuggle up and to top it off, we always have yummy crap to snack on! Our favorite is taking refrigerated crescents in the tube, unrolling them, putting a good amount of chocolate chips in, then rolling them back up and baking. They're delicious. Like a very americanized version of Pain au chocolat. And we eat them. All.
So, moral of the story, we've stopped eating after 9 o'clock, more veggies than anything else at dinner, James works out every night and I go with him most nights. He's already lost a couple pounds. Go James!

We love our little apartment. It's so fun to have a home! My favorite thing is making dinner and doing laundry. Don't really know why.. it's just so fun! James is probably cleaner than I am. He always makes the bed in the morning, does the dishes after I make dinner, and puts his stuff away in the bathroom. Marriage is great. Anyway.. Shall we go through a virtual tour?


Home.

Welcome!

This is Mildred. She sits atop our T.V. and brings us joy and smiles every time we watch it.

Kitchen.. Sorry for the blurriness

James's weekly flower to me :) He knows I love tulips.

This is our tree. The birds in the cage are our beloved pets, Peter and George (pronounced Peetuhr and shjorrrshj)

I got these at the local craft store for half off. Smokin' deal and sooooo cute!

Now, on to the next!

Bathroom!

This is sadly our only picture of Christ in the house so far..

I love Paree!

I love this curtain print. Found it at Ross for like twelve bucks!

In the bathroom, we have doors that fold to the sides to reveal.. This!

The title speaks for itself..

Now to the bedroom..

I love all these places on the posters.. whether in my dreams or real life.

I love the clothespinned picture idea I got from Pinterest! (if you can't tell)

We got most of our new furniture at amazon for whopping prices. When our new chest of drawers and T.V. wooden stand came in pieces, James was so excited to put it together. He stayed up till 5 finishing it, while I slept on the couch :)

Don't you love my new floral shoes?? I sure do!

Anyway, that's the end of the tour! Hope you enjoyed!

...Happy, Rachael? :)

Gelukkige Vaderdag

I adore my Papa. This is yet another blog post on my family--specifically my father because it's Fathers Day! Woot woot.
So Dad.. let me tell you about yourself. You're amazing. Every memory I have of you involves laughing or tenderness or trying my hardest to make you proud of me. I've learned that being away from home helps me realize and appreciate everything my parents have given me. I love you dad. So so so much. And I'm dating this boy.. and you want to know one reason I absolutely adore him? It's cause he reminds me so much of you. I'm not just saying that; there's lots of things that I love about you and him that are similar. For example:
He's the kindest person I know and he is a peacemaker. YOU are one of the most peace-filled persons I know! I remember many times in the past year that you wouldn't let me walk away angry from an argument with my loving parents.
He's slow to anger. Nothing seems to bother or annoy him and he's just a very optimistic person. You are also very much like that. I remember there were times me and Rachael laughed because you would get angry and it was just such an unfamiliar picture--Dad getting super angry at us. You've just always been someone who's slow to anger and full of love.
Not to mention He looks like you Dad--He is a hairy white man, with beastly eyebrows and black(ish) hair. Even his calves strangely look like yours. Now that I think about it even his eyes are almost the exact same color. And of course he's a handsome devil such as yourself!
Is it a coincidence he's into computers? I think not.
He teases me alllllllllllllllllllll the time. Sound familiar? Although he never uses the fat jokes like you do!
I love holding his arm in church. Although he doesn't smell quite like you do, it's the same white material that I'm holding and I think of you every time.
Anywayyyyy, these are just a few reasons. I'm not trying to make it all about James. I'm just saying that I'm so glad I've found a man as spectacular as you are :)
I miss you all the time. I miss your comforting voice, your familiar laugh, your words of wisdom and most of all your love. All of those things mean home to me. How am I going to live without you Papa? You better live to be a very very old man. I promise I'll take care of you. I'll make a bottomload of money and send you to Holland three times a year:) That's my dream.
I'm grateful for everything you've taught me through your example. I'm grateful for the amazing heritage you've given me. I'm grateful for the strength you have always been to me. I'm grateful to be your daughter. It was meant to be papa.

Momma

I love you momma. I was going to write and send you a letter but I got so busy I wasn't able to. Sad day. However, I figured dedicating a blog post to you would be sufficient :)

This year, Mothers Day is probably one of the most significant ones so far in my life. The reason? Well, I've had 5 months to realize all the things you have done for me. 

Starting off, let's talk about the physical things you've done for me my whole life that I am now able to appreciate more. Laundry; it's been an adventure, but sometimes I wish it could go back to me chucking it in a magic hamper and coming back to me clean. Dinner; not only do I miss the food, but I miss that family setting--something else that is also because of you. Free living; not having to pay rent and having someone to drive me places when I need. The Necessities; I'm starting to realize that when you have to pay for every little thing, it adds up. It was nice only having to worry about buying my favorite hair products and clothes if I wanted them, instead of soap, shampoo, Q tips, cotton balls, mascara, lotion, deodorant, brushes, toothpaste, kleenex's, paper, pens, socks, bras, hairspray. Hugs; I don't get Momma's hugs from nobody. As a matter of fact, on my road trip down to Mesa in April we stayed at one of the passengers friends parents house in St. George. She was very motherly to us girls and at the end of our stay I gave her a hug--ONLY based on the fact that i wanted a hug from a mom. I'm completely serious. Also, i was grateful she let us stay at her house.

Next, let's dive into how grateful I am for how you raised me. Once again, these five months being away from home has majorly helped me realize how AWESOME of a mom you have been for soooooooooooo very many reasons. I see weird kids around me. I see kids with divorced parents and how much it has screwed with their life. I see kids who don't know anything about the world because they're parents put them in a bubble. I call them Bubbles (clever, right?). I see kids who severely judge people because that's what they saw their parents doing there whole life. I see kids who had parents who didn't care what they did and now they think they can do and say anything they want and they're unhappy. Taking my Childhood Development class has also had a huge impact on the way I see parents. And it definitely makes me grateful because, 99% of the time (ok like ALL the time), you have done all the "right" things in raising your kids. We talk about Behavorism, Grand theories, Psychoanalytic theories, Nature vs. Nurture, Cognitive Equilibrium, Self-Efficacy and all this stuff and when we talk about it in class I'm usually always thinking "Yeah, my mom did that. And that. And that. I was raised spectacularly. Boo yah!" It talks about loving children, and not doing things that belittle them or let think they're not good enough. it talks about raising them in the gospel, and letting them figure things out for themselves. There's a lot more than that but I can't think of it right now. Basically what I'm saying is, Mom, I don't how many books you read about raising kids, but you've done it right and you've done it good. Sitting in that classroom I am proud to say I have a fantastic mother. Oh and outside the classroom too OF COURSE. But I take pride in that classroom especially. Just saying. 

You've always let me be me, I realize that. And you have a love for the gospel that you passed on to each of your kids, through diligent scripture study and prayer together, and just by your example. And wow, I know this may sound weird but, thank you for staying married to my dad. It's infinitely blessed me and made me happy and I'm sure you also. I'm grateful that I have two loving parents who love each other. It's a good example for me to see and I definitely aspire to have what you and dad have one day. I'm so glad for what you taught me and how you raised me and I want to do it the same. I love you so so much and i miss you and hope you have a wonderful day :)

Best Friends

Rachael is an enormous example to me. She never seems to give up and is always so optimistic even though sometimes I just wanted to lovingly shove it in her face :) I was always grateful for it though. But she's a cheerful person and is completely gorgeous. I really hope to be as good at everything as she is some day. She's my best friend.

My papa is the greatest, sweetest man i know. I adore him. He always makes me laugh and feel better and I'm so thankful for him. I admire how much he loves and takes care of his family. I've always felt safe and loved my whole life; he's everything a patriarch should be and has taught me so much through his actions. He's my best friend.

Emma is the bomb shiz diggity. This girl has tried to outdo me since we were little and she's just about always done so :) She's everything I wish I was when I was her age. She's super talented, beautiful, and smart and refuses to let it get to her head. She's an amazing example to me because of that. I hope I can as humbly wonderful as she is. She's my best friend.

Wyatt is my ultimate favorite kid EVER. He'll never know how much he's changed my life. Everything is better when he is around. He's never failed to make me smile. Never failed to make my day 10x better. Never failed to fill me with joy. I love him and I know I'd do anything for him in an instant. He's my best friend.

My mama is my hero. This lady is one of a kind. My whole entire life she's been an anchor, a rock, to me and it's now that i'm starting to realize and see that fully. Her heart is full of love and I hope that that's been passed on to me. Wherever she is, feels like home. Her hugs are the best and I'm so very grateful for everything she's done for me. She's my best friend.

Jeffrey! Is! Awesome! What a crazy guy :) He always finds time to talk to me. He asks how I'm doing and questions me about EveRYtHinG, just like a big brother should. He's a great father and husband and brother and whatever else. He knows what's right and sticks to it and I love him for that. He's selfless and I admire him muchly. He's my best friend.

Amy Lee Berry Soon To Be de Ceuninck Van Capelle is absolutely fabulous. She's the sweetest, kindest, most sincere lady I know and I'm soooo happy to call her my sister. There's a reason she's marrying my brother--to become his better half! :) She's amazing and has already been a part of family for many years. I love her to death. She's my best friend. 

Tim is the biggest, hairiest goofball i know. I love my big brother so much. I want to be like him someday; he knows who he is and what he wants in life and i admire him lots.  Once you get on his good side, he's a warm, lovable soul :]  He's my best friend.

Benjamin in growing up way too fast. He went from an obnoxious, silly boy to this slightly more mature, deep voiced, sweet, caring, still silly, teenager.  It was when I realized I was unable to overpower him and give him a much-deserved wedgie (even with the help of Emma) that I figured he was growing up :) He's gonna be an amazing man, I already know. I luff him. He's my best friend.

             
So here I am, without my best friends, in a new place. I need you guys. What the heeeeeeck. But I've learned stuff from each of you. Rachael taught me to be beautiful in spirit and in person. Dad taught me faith and hard work. Emma taught me to be humble and still cool (that's right Emma, lucky you!). Wyatt taught me to have a huge heart. Mom taught me a love for the gospel.  Jeffrey taught me to not care what others think about me. Amy taught me to be charming and full of love. Tim taught me to be cool (okay and to be good with kids. wait no, I mean good with life. :)). And Ben taught me patience and caring. I have everything I need right there. You guys mean the world to me and I love you all! 

P.S. Jeff... I didn't have any pictures of you at all on my camera! Maybe you should tell Rachael to actually send me the pictures of all of us when we were in Utah!

Misconceptions about Everyday Life in Rexburg, Idaho.

I wake up sweating and remember all the blankets I brought cause i thought i'd be freezing cold. Wrong.
I think that just cause it's sunny and cloudless that it'll be warmer. Wrong.
I believe that going to an LDS school would make the boys more awesome. Wrong.
I think that doing my own laundry is going to be a huge accomplishment. Wrong.
I think that all the men up here are going to be potato farmers (Thanks dad). Wrong.
I think that because it's snowing it must be absolutely colder than usual. Wrong. (It's actually warmer)
I figure that since everyone here is "looking for a husband", I would be unique to want to be the first Mormon nun. Wrong.
I still think that relief society and visiting teaching is for the older gals. Wrong.
I think my sister's "old" until I'm checking out a guy who i find out is older than her. Weird.
I think it'll be nice not having a job for a while. Wrong.
I think how great'll it'll be to make my own meals and food. Wrong. So terribly wrong.
I thought MY parents kept me in a bubble. Wrong.
I think "How much fun can Mormons have up here?" Then i find they have a Ping Pong Team, Wally Ball Team, Ice Fishing Derby, self defense classes, a huge fitness center, Jui Jitsu(I was only an oBsERveR), Ballroom and Swing dance classes, good-looking FHE brothers, bowling alley, ice-skating rink, and an awesome ward. Boring? Wrong.
I think that because it's still light at night outside, I must be in Alaska. Wrong. (The snow glows in the dark)
Turns out it's all about you KNOW. Go freshmen............