The Beginning...

This month marks three significant events in my life.
Two years ago this week I moved to Boise! The last two years have been very unexpected with numerous new experiences. Most of it has been amazing! I have made great friends, worked with fantastic people, and married the greatest guy I know!









Last year this month Thomas and I went to the drive-in with some friends. While we were there we were texting other people. He was texting another girl and I was texting another guy. During the movie we talked a lot. I started thinking that he was way more awesome than any guy that I was dating, and I was way more awesome that any girl that he was dating (thus began the idea that I should date him, but I never thought that it would actually happen!)

Last year this week Thomas and I became fake engaged. We were at Red Robin celebrating a friend's birthday. He came in late and sat by me. Everyone had been saying that he was in love with me, but I didn't think it was true at all. We just flirted all the time because it was fun not because we were ever going to actually date. I don't remember why but he said that he was always asking me to marry him and I was always saying no. I said that I had never rejected him, but if it was going to be official than he needed to give me a ring, so he did! At this time I did not think that we would ever actually get engaged!

Day 2...

Welcome to day two of my summer break. No work except for music therapy for 10 weeks and I've never felt so accomplished! I've been cleaning, reading, organizing, and tons of other stuff! I need a job or more music therapy clients though. I think this might get old after a week or two. 

Last night Thomas and I went to Albertsons. As we were walking in I said that I needed more pasta in my life. Luckily for us there was a crazy 8 sale! All the pasta was 88 cents a package!

We won't need more pasta for a very long time!

Jam and Beyond...

Today Thomas and I went to the Wedding Registry Completion Day at Bed Bath and Beyond. We took all of our gift cards with us and did some serious shopping. They gave gave us fruit, a drink, 20% off all our purchases, and we even got a prize from playing a game. We got a head massager, body massager, and memory foam slippers all for rolling a dice! I've wanted a head massager for as long as I can remember!

Our prizes!

Good thing we received so many gift cards or we still wouldn't have some much needed stuff!

After our adventure in BBB we went to Nyssa to pick strawberries and make strawberry jam! It went super fast! My sisters helped us pick the strawberries. Thomas topped them and I made the jam. We played Sorry to celebrate. "Oh Glory," was frequently yelled by Brenna and at one point Makayla said, "You don't deserve to live" (talking about the game piece). It was the most exciting game of Sorry that I have ever played.

May (mostly)...

Here are some highlights from the last month:

I helped my sister make a cake for a young women church fundraiser.

Thomas and I bought an X-Box...in Oregon...at midnight. We told my parents that we had to go to Wal-Mart because we needed toothbrushes (we were unexpectedly staying at their house). They found us toothbrushes. Then we said that we also needed some contact solution for Thomas. The main reason was for an X-Box!

Last weekend I went down to St. George with my mom and sisters for my cousin's blessing and my other cousin's farewell. Almost everyone in my family was there. I LOVE family gatherings and hanging out with people that I don't get to see that often.

We left Friday and came back on Monday. When we came back I did not hit a single red light on Eagle Rd. Previous to this I thought that such a thing was impossible. My mom made fun of me for being so happy.

The last week I assessed a new client for music therapy and a business emailed me and asked if I could do a music therapy group for them this summer. Thomas' employer also expressed interested in having a music therapist! Since my current job is ending next week I'm excited for all the new music therapy opportunities!

On Friday Thomas and I went camping! Our first ever camping trip was a success! We went to Ice Springs at Anderson Ranch. Thomas made DELICIOUS tin foil dinners made from chicken, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. We eat so much cabbage. We get it for free though, so I can't complain! Someday we are going to tell our children and grandchildren that we were so poor when we got married that all we could eat was cabbage. I'm sure they will have pity on us. I laughed at our tent because it was so small and it looked a little off center. It was so small that our air mattress barely fit in it! 

The night was FREEZING if I put any part of me outside of the blanket and I had to pee at 4:30 in the morning, but other than that it was a good night. 

The next day we had another amazing meal (compliments of Thomas). I don't know what it is about men and cooking outdoors but I think they should have the same mindset indoors! Thomas cooks a whole lot though, so I really shouldn't say anything. We packed everything up and were on our way. While we were driving we found a waterfall! Thomas explored it. I thought that he was going to fall to his death because of where he was going, but he made it out alive. 

While we were driving I commented that it freaked me out whenever Thomas pushed on his breaks because it made us slide. The road was full of blind corners, and there was a cliff on one side. We went around one blind corner and BAM...we ran into a suburban that was hugging the inside corner because he was nervous of the cliff on the other side. The airbags exploded and smoke was coming out of the car. I tried to get out but the car door wouldn't open! Thomas finally opened it for me and we assessed the damage. 

Three Hours Later...

We were assessed by paramedics and had given our statement to the deputy. The tow truck FINALLY got there and we were on our way again! I was super nervous about being in a tow truck on those ridiculous roads. I am happy to say that we made it back in one piece. Thomas' car did not however. I'm afraid it's totaled.

Inside the ambulance. We didn't have to go anywhere though.

I thought that the truck was gong to fall off the edge!

This is a video of my family's dog trying to play catch. He failed!

Friday Faves...

Reasons why today rocks!

I slept in today. 

I found this...http://www.itjustgetsstranger.com/2011/12/snuggie-texts.html

I went to the Optometrist and he said I needed new glasses. I picked some out. When the associate told me how much they cost I laughed in his face and said I didn't have that much money. We both sat there awkwardly for about 30 seconds and then I asked him if he could just put new lenses in my glasses. He awkwardly agreed. 

I took my 5th and final final for school. Yay for one week off before summer term starts!

I text this to Thomas today: "The Host and G.I. Joe are in the cheap theaters."

He replied, "Date night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

This is just one reason why I love him.

Now if only he would get home!

This didn't happen today but it did yesterday and it was great so it counts. I was working with a girl at work who was kicking and hitting me. Nothing seemed to calm her. We tried reading a story and she still didn't calm down until I started singing the book. As soon as I started singing the book she instantly stopped everything. She paid attention and even answered all the questions I asked her about the book.

Promote What You Love-PRAISE HIS NAME...

Recently I've noticed that when I talk to others I've been sharing what I hate instead of promoting what I love. I'm going to change that right now! The world is full of fantastic things, so it's time to start sharing them.

During my life I have always been involved in music-piano, organ, choir, voice lessons...I even graduated with a degree in music therapy! I have always especially loved religious music. The last month has been better than normal. I've been involved in a religious choir for the last two years. I've always enjoyed the choir and singing the songs. During the last few months I actually started to really listen and understand what the words of the songs were saying. I also started studying hymns-the words, scriptures that go with them, and their history. I have listed some of the lyrics and videos of some of my favorite songs below. Nothing lifts my spirit as much as when I am singing hymns and praises to the Lord. 

Sing til the power of the Lord come down. Shout Hallelujah! Praise His Holy name!

--Praise His Holy Name by Keith Hampton

This is one of the most fun songs I have ever sang!

Will you join in our crusade?

Who will be strong and stand with me?

Beyond the barricade

Is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight

That will give you the right to be free!

--Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables

I know this isn't a religious song, but if you think of it as calling people to join you in your quest for giving and kindness then it definitely can be!

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

--Hymn, Be Still My Soul

I've sang this song with the institute choir for over a year. It just gets better and more powerful every time I sing it!

Also...if you haven't listened to "He is Jesus Christ" Composed by Rob Gardner you should! It changed my life!

Saturday is a special day...

I LOVE Saturdays. This is the only day of the week that Thomas and I can do whatever we want all day long, and I get to be with him ALL DAY LONG! It's fantastic! Sundays are a close second. We have had some great adventures on Saturdays! 

Yesterday we began the day by going to the temple. While we were there someone that I was getting married! Random...but awesome.

On the way home we stopped by the mall and got my ring that we took there last week to get the engagement ring and wedding band soldered together. It's so shiny now. It almost looks fake! I like having it back! Then we went to DQ and got a blizzard because Thomas wanted ice cream. I love it when he wants ice cream because I feel guilt free when I have it too!

We came home and took a nap for a hour or so and then went to dinner with one of my favorite friends at one of my favorite restaurants!

Then we went to his parents' house and visited with his parents and cousins. 

Then to top off a great day we went to the PBR with my parents! I LOVE bull riding. We saw almost 3 hours of it. There were a few serious injuries, and I was a little sad that an American didn't win (a Brazilian did), but the night was fantastic. 

This one is my favorite!

Thomas finally looked semi-normal!

While in the parking lot we just sat in our car for half an hour and watched youtube videos...The best one can be seen below. We got out of the parking lot within 5 minutes when we actually turned on our car. 

I LOVE SATURDAYS!