winter blues

the past few days of Texas weather have been sucky/miserable. i think i was almost tricked into thinking it was spring the week before when highs were in the 60's and 70's, it was perfectly sunny and warm. all i could think about was laying out, drinking strawberry lemonades, reading a million books, having the summer off, watching baseball. the list goes on. i was amazingly happy. then said weather came and i became grumpy, and home-ridden. it's crazy how much the weather affects me and my desires to do anything - like move. let's just say the gym and i have a much needed appt today. anyways, what i've learned from this is that i am a winter hater and sun goddess. i H.A.T.E. the cold. hate it. tx is probably one of the only places i can happily live because even when it's 'cold' - it's really not that bad seeing that my 'miserable' week so far has consisted of rain and high 40's, low 50's. i know, it could be worse. BUT it could definitely be better. haha. so luckily, i am leaving to the blessed virgin islands a week from Saturday and i couldn't be happier. the timing is PERFECT. we have no concrete plans yet besides chillin by the beach and riding a scooter. oh and maybe hitting up that one local restaurant we tried last time on our cruise. all in all it's going to be a delightfully uneventful week. so st thomas (as seen in the picture above)....i'm ready.

goals

- start running again no matter how much it hurts (aka, take it slow but steady)
- run a few 5k's and bump it up to a half marathon if i can
- stop being late to church EVERY sunday (how can it be that hard when you don't have kids?!)
- change up dinner by adding new healthy recipes
- make anson happy by finishing my book
- relearn how to play guitar
- perform something original at the concerts at Central Market
- volunteer somewhere, preferably the Dallas Arboretum or Nasher Sculpture Center
- blog more
- take better pictures
- read and STUDY my scriptures more intently everyday
- create an actual lesson plan book for future years

i got this.

happy anniversary

Two years ago today I married my best friend in this BEAUTIFUL temple. best decision ever. i remember everything about that day - the anticipation, getting ready at the crack of dawn, rushng over to the temple PRAYING that it wouldn't snow, not caring that it actually did, getting ready inside the temple and being in awe of just how beautiful every room was, the fact that my sister could come to the wedding, mom helping me get ready, feeling like a princess, the overpowering feeling of love when we were married, how we both couldn't stop smiling (which is quite the feat in the cold), taking endless pictures (sooooo cold), amazing luncheon at the Lion House, mom specifically being so proud and happy for us, the most beautiful reception at the Canterbury, throwing up at the Canterbury (didn't expect that one), anson being sweet about the whole thing, finally feeling better enough to have our first dance, our first dance, my dance with my dad, laughing while we cut the cake, seriously couldn't stop smiling, kissing all the time (for the pictures!) and being so excited to start our lives together.

things are so much better with anson in my life. and now, it's almost like i can't remember when we weren't together...it's just that good. so anson, i love you...to the moon and back :)

cannot believe it's december

so i know i just wrote a post about how i couldn't wait for christmas. and that's true - i can't. BUT in my head, i still cannot get over the fact it is the month of d.e.c.e.m.b.e.r! what?!? yeah, this year is almost over and i'm not ready at all. things have been going so well lately. anson LOVES his job (or should i say the flexibility of his job?), teaching is delightful and is my very favorite thing to do, i just found out one of my best friends is getting MARRIED soon, i get to go home to utah for christmas this year (even if it IS short), i have the best dog who snuggles me every night while i read/watch tv/ vege, we just booked an anniversary trip (2 yrs in 3 weeks!) to st thomas virgin islands for a week in january!!, i get to sing christmas songs with the primary kids at church, etc...etc... i feel so blessed and am so happy. while i have been enjoying all these things, one thing that I have decided to DO and squeeze in before christmas is to read the book of mormon again before christmas day as a present to Jesus. all through the holidays i am thinking of what to get everyone (and sadly, i'm still not done). one person that i never thought of getting anything for is the only person who gave me EVERYTHING. something is wrong with that. so. i'm writing this here to hold me accountable. feel free to bug me and make sure i am keeping my promise. it's going to be a lot of work (25+ pages a night) but i already know it will be so totally worth it.

as for the pictures, saturday we went to the children's christmas parade downtown. i have been going to this as a kid and every year make plans to go, but somehow don't. a tragedy! so we stuck with it this year and went (despite the rain). it was a blast! so glad i have such a sweet husband who is willing to go to a kid parade for an overgrown kid's christmas obsession.

this year

anson. a mama who listens to my phone calls everyday. sisters. brother who keeps my informed about the nba. caring daddy. snuggly bear. the gospel. a patient husband. a beautiful home. living in texas. living with my best friend. things lining into place. working at my dream job. talents. families can be together FOREVER. ability to travel. temples. healthy bodies. extended family. holiday season. a Heavenly Father who listens and cares for my needs. warm weather. good books. piano playing. education. pumpkin spice steamers. flip flops. the gym. sleeping. sleeping in. zumba. fresh food. good friends. college football. prayer. reliable car. summers off. michelle is home from her mission.

there is always so much to be thankful for

soo ready....

i think this will always be my favorite christmas song. maybe it's because i danced and sang this song for my family for years....it's so catchy and immediately puts you in a good mood...it's the theme of one of my fav movies - love actually....it's how i feel about anson....the awesome piano parts in the song....whatever it is... I LOVE IT!

and i'm trying to be patient, but i'm sooooooo ready for christmas season. i've been drinking eggnog, secretly listening to christmas music in my car, buying christmas presents since august, strolling down all the christmas aisles in walmart weekly, and i just bought a bunch of christmas decor at michael's. so christmas - hurry up and get here. i can't WAIT!

another sunny day in Californ-i-a

santa monica pier - unexpected surprise - lots of fun shopping, soooo dog friendly, mmmm ocean

crepes! our favorites! anson got banana and nutella

i devoured a brie crepe

original and oh so good. lemon coconut rocked my socks.

reason for the trip - go lydia! the roxy was such a cool/intimate venue - and so historic

there's always money in the banana stand!

marina del ray - sound familiar?

la temple - so pretty

this last weekend (yay for me doing a RECENT post) we went to CA for a lil getaway. Mostly we've been talking about going to CA for FOREVER, found some super cheap airline tickets, and anson's fave band was having a final reunion concert there. so naturally, we had to go. it was DELIGHTFUL. i forget how much i like CA until i go there. it is sooooo beautiful. in fact, we're already planning our next trip there.

faves (in no particular order):
- sitting at the most picturesque starbucks with a lifted ocean view (nothing to block it) drinking my seasonal favorite pumpkin spice steamer
- fresh little bistro we found our 1st night in Manhattan Beach - best strawberry bruschetta around
- eating a sprinkles cupcake while meandering down rodeo drive
- anson's realization that there are sprinkles cupcakes for bear
- the gorgeous houses in beverly hills
- walking on a beachfront walkway at night in Manhattan Beach - ohhhhh the ocean
- forcing anson to actually walk on the beach with me - and maybe give me a kiss :)
- all the organic grocery stores - i am so intrigued with traders joe's now
- intimate setting of the roxy venue where we saw lydia. even a short person could see the show!! that's a big deal folks!
- meeting Chris from this last year's season of So You Think You Can Dance. yes, i did pick him out of the crowd at In-N-Out and made his day by calling him famous!
- while we're on the subject, In-N-Out is definitely better in CA
- visiting the banana stand area in Marina del Ray - makes me want to watch Arrested Development even more now
- going back to Marina del Ray so anson could take a picture (i made him jealous)
- hands-down best pancakes EVER at the pantry. mmm delightful
- stuffing our faces at the Tin Roof bistro (indian spinach and artichoke dip is best)
- alllll the shopping
- how dog friendly CA is. wish we would have brought bear!
- crepes along santa monica pier
- saving $20 by finding a cheap parking lot in santa monica pier ($1.80 for every 15 mins? i think not)
- seeing the hollywood sign!!

dislikes:
- TRAFFIC - ugh. it took 25 minutes to go 3 miles
- PARKING - also capitalized to show how much i HATE it - we literally paid more for parking than for one of our plane tickets!! bleh.
- there is no banana stand at marina del ray. you think they would do it and make some $$!
- the delicious oceanfront bistro decided to close 30 mins early on our last day
- a shake from In-N-Out is 560 calories.....oh my.
- crowne plaza hotel (def not as nice as it sounds....but to their credit we could have upgraded to a renovated room if we wanted to pay more...who does that?)
- TRAFFIC - oh yeah, i said that
- my make-shift pumpkin spice steamer on the last day (milk plus syrup does NOT equal starbucks bliss. nice try crowne plaza!)
- rainy weather

looks like the good outweighed the bad!