The Best 2 Years!

Exactly 2 years ago today Adam and I were married! Flash back...

People always say "Time flies when your having fun" and oh how true that is! Adam is truly the best and couldn't have asked for a better best friend. I thought for fun I would do 5 little facts about Adam that I have learned in our 2 years together:

1-Adam is the most optimistic and postive person I know. He believes anything is possible!

2-Adam is a GREAT sport! He watches more girlie movies than anyone I know and might even admit to loving Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, In the Good Old Summer Time, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers... (This past weekend it was even his idea to watch P.S. I love you <--Not mine)! Besides being a good sport about girlie movies, he is a good sport with all of my family outings!

3-Adam's got skills! Before we got married I knew he could cook, and work on cars, and on computers, but these are just the tip of the ice berg with Ad. He may even have num chuck skills...

4-Adam is a wealth of knowledge. I can't think of a single topic of conversation that Adam doesn't have some sort of experience with. He seems to know a little bit about everything. Sometimes I feel like I am married to Wikipedia as accuracy is yet to be determined. Ha ha! Jokes!........seriously though...

5-I did not realize until this past year that Adam is a nerdy gamer! He loves to play online war games with Nick, Paul, Bob, and now Mark. *sigh*Special times.... Luckily for me he doesn't spend much time doing it.

I love you babe!

For Good

Last Wednesday, our dear "cousin" David died suddenly at the age of 28 of a brain aneurism. This amazing individual, David R. Wright, led an amazing life, a life to be honored, remembered, and modeled. David left behind a beautiful and unbelievably strong wife, Kelli, a beautiful little girl Kennedy, and 3 weeks before his death had learned that his amazing wife was expecting another little one.

I have lost grandparents and other family members/ward members etc...of which death has come as a blessing, and for the most part death was a joyous event as it was a reunification of spouses, family members, and children, as well as freedom from physical and mental illness. Until last Wednesday I did not know what it meant to grieve. Until last Wednesday I did not question our Heavenly Fathers plan for his children. And until last Wednesday I did not know what it felt like to look at a person and wish more than anything that you could take upon yourself their suffering so that their pain is even a millionth fraction less. Now I know.

At the viewing on Fathers' Day and Monday at the funeral I just kept thinking "This isn't right. This isn't how it's supposed to be." People always say "There work in this life was completed" to explain these events...they say "God had other work for them to do". Perhaps this is true, but I can't help but think of Dave's beautiful wife, his little girl, and unborn child. It's hard for me to believe that a great priesthood holding man, with a new family, and life full of potential was needed more on the other side, than he was needed here on earth. I have a testimony of the plan of salvation and faith in our Heavenly Father, however I know I was not alone with these thoughts and feelings.

On Monday, Kelli gave an amazing tribute to her love and soul mate Dave. I don't know many women that are that strong. She is truly a woman of faith, who has centered her life around Christ. She bore a beautiful testimony of the Savior and bore witness of his love for his children, and for her. As I heard her testimony, I knew. I knew that it was okay to be sad. I knew it was okay to greive. I knew that our Heavenly Father loves us and will not give us trials above that which we are able to withstand. I knew that Kelli, her beautiful little girl, and her baby to come were all loved and in the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. I knew that despite the pain, the Wright and Bell family would be okay.

At the viewing and the funeral there were photographs of David and attached were beautiful quotes. One that touched me was:
"In the gosple of Jesus Christ, we have help from both sides of the viel. When disappointment and discouragement strike and they will we need to remember that if our eyes could be opened, we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as they eye can see, riding at great speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven." - Jeffrey R. Holland

It is now Thursday, and I have been in and out of tears for the past week. My thoughts and prayers are with my "Uncle Rex", "Aunt Marilyn" and our Wright "cousins" (my dad is an only child so his best friends became family to us. We went on vacations each year with the dear Wright family to Yellowstone and other spots. I remember being shocked at age 14 to learn that these dear individuals were not really related to us...you'd think it would have clicked that they couldn't really be relatives as my dad had no siblings).

I cannot help but be reminded of one of my favorite songs, "For Good" from the Broadway musical Wicked. David is such a remarkable individual and I know that his life has not ended with death. He has touched so many lives "For Good" because of the way he lived. I hope that when my days on this earth are over that I have lived as he did and that "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)

Love to you all.

Here's the ScooP with Pics to come!

I have had many a person requesting an Ad and Cher update so here goes!

May 2nd I graduated from the University of Utah!!! Woot Woot!!! This day was such a happy and sereal day! Last fall was filled with many trials and has been the most difficult part of my life thus far. I had some overly cruel professors that took it upon themselves to strip away every last part of my pride, confidence, and self-esteem day after day...*sigh*... I could never of made it through without my dear madre, the comforting shoulder of my loving husband who allowed me to break down daily and nightly, in between and after classes, day after day, for months on end, nor without my heavenly father that gave me the strength to keep going. It was a dark and dreary part of my life which I have tried to forget (not very effectively as you can tell!). For those of you out there that think a Bachelors rocks "I did it!!!" And I wish every brave soul best of luck that chooses to move on to graduate courses!

What's graduation without a little 'PARTAY'!!! ??? !!!

After graduation spiraled a whole slew of events:

On May 5th, Cinco de Marci, we surprised sexy little Marci with a cinco de Marci party for her birthday! Her family and friends were all there and it was a grand old time! We went to Cafe Rio and then did cake & ice cream at Shannon's casa! Marci I love you and Happy BIRTHDAY girl (again)!!!

Not even a week later we had a bachelorette party for Ashlee Hansen! I shant expand upon this except it was goooood times (wink wink)!

The following Saturday Ashlee invited us to go to the Salt Lake Temple! It was a very special day and I am so glad that I was able to be there! I LOVE YOU ASH!

SOFT BALL SEASON...err not!

Adam's time as a soft ball star for this season came to an end abruptley on Monday, May 19th when he slid into second base and broke his hand (Yes he was safe!). Way to sacrifice one for the team Ad! He did not however inform me of this until after the game...such a boy. We spent the rest of the evening at the E.R.

On the 22nd of May at 4:00 a.m. Adam and I left our casa to go pick up our friends Nick and Kari for a fun week in CALIFORNIA!!!! The months of planning truly paid off and it was such a blast!!! We began our trip at the Pantages theatre in L.A. to see WICKED!!! We had the most unbelievable seats (2nd row-orchestra) and my heart has never been fuller! I couldn't get the smile off my face or stop the butterflies from coming! This definitely spiraled our vacation in an out-of-control fun time that never stopped! As this was Nick's first time to Disneyland and Kari & I's first time back in several years we did everything! Most of us (3 of 4) had never been to California Adventure so we began our day there and ended it in Disneyland! It was magical, but freezing and between all of the rides we would stop at each shop and try on sweatshirts and hats in an attempt to get warm.

The next day was Saturday and so we drove to San Diego to go to the San Diego Temple! It was truly as amazing as they say--- inside and out!!! We spend a few hours there and could have stayed the entire day!

After the temple we stopped at the Oceanside Harbor and had lunch at the local fish n' chips market! It was so beautiful and picturesque! Adam and Nick both got the fish n' chips and each piece was literally over a foot long! It was insane!

We then drove back to our hotel in Anaheim and chilled out for awhile then went to dinner with my friend (I call her my cousin cause she feels like one) Jennifer and her hubbie Brandon who now live in Texas but were in Orange County the same time we were! We went to Newport Beach and ate at the Newport Grill which was right out on the pier! It was so beautiful and completely ideal! We ate as the sunset and were able to see seals, 3 dolphins, a small shark (Adam knows which kind) that a fisherman caught below us, crabs, and tons of fish that were being caught by all these Filipinos on the dock below us!!! It was in one word: AMAZING!!! And the food was tasty too!

The next morning we went to DIN-E-LAND all day! It was so much fun! We hit all the great rides in fabulous time (thanks to Adams fast legs which ran and got us fast passes and many thanks to Nick's long legs which got him and five guests a complimentary pass to any ride of his choice!)! We chose Splash Mtn. and had Nick sit in front! He got super soaked! We all did and we were all still soaked hours later! For those of you who have been to Disneyland before and have ridden The Pirates of the Caribean ride you will probably recall the restaraunt that you pass while on the ride! It has always been one of mine and Kari's dreams to eat at this restraunt and on this day that dream came true! The ambiance was great, the gumbo-delicious, the prices-expensive, the memories-CLASSIC!!


On our final full day in Cali we drove to Laguna beach and we (well Kari and Nick) played in the water! Adam still has his cast on and was forbidden to get it wet, so we sat on the beach and relaxed while the Ellis's frolic-ed in the rampant waves!

It was truly a fantastic trip! It was all that I had hoped it could be and so much more!***I suppose this is enough of an update for now!

101 things you may or may not have known...

GETTING TO KNOW ME...GETTING TO KNOW ALL ABOUT ME...

1. I graduated May 2nd from the U of U with a BA in English Literature.
2. I am sick of being asked “what now” or “what’s next” because I honestly don’t know how to answer that. As I have no idea what is next for me this question leaves me extremely apprehensive. I know where I came from and where I am headed in the eternities, but it’s this fuzzy middle portion called adulthood which keeps me up at night.
3. I am a girl that likes to have plans.
4. Because I am a girl that likes to have plans the fact that I can’t answer the “What’s next” question constantly haunts me.
5. When I graduated high school I received several letters of recommendation from different teachers, one of which said I was a person with many opinions. It has been 6 years and I am still not sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
6. Though I have opinions, I feel awkward expressing them when I disagree with others (except with Adam…perhaps I should practice holding back a little more…hehe).
7. One of my least favorite things is confrontation and I avoid it at all costs.
8. I have the most amazing parents, Jim and Loraine. My dad is an extremely hard working man who has always provided for his family and I have never once heard him say something was impossible. He is humble to the core and an amazing support. My mother is adorable, a spiritual giant, and my best little buddy. Together they are an amazing team and because of their generosity and support they have made so many of my life dreams happen.
9. My siblings are amazing and I feel privileged to be the youngest of the bunch! They have left amazing footprints to follow and are inspired, talented, amazing, and hilarious people. Not to mention EXTREMELY attractive!
10. I am not a bragger. I am a truth teller!!!
11. Unlike Marci McDaniel, I was an extremely unattractive child and a not much better adolescent. Its’ true. Just ask my grandpa Heward who in his aged wisdom grasped my hand and said “you were a homely child, but your getting better…”! Wow if that’s not brutal honesty, I don’t know what is! My hope is that like a good wine, I will get better with age.
12. I have expensive taste that I can’t afford, thus our house resembles the D.I. rather than pottery barn.
13. One of my greatest fears is that my children will be ‘sweet spirits’… however, looking at Adams adorable Zack Morris-like baby face gives me hope!
14. I am pretty sure I have seen “My Father the Hero” more times than any other movie.
15. I should be at the gym right now, but instead I am writing this list.
16. I have always secretly desired to be an athlete, but my hand, eye, leg coordination isn’t all that great.
17. I don’t consider myself to be competitive, but I hate to lose.
18. My greatest fear is failure.
19. The best thing I have ever done is marry Adam (cheesy).
20. The second best thing I have ever done was study abroad with BYU in Vienna.
21. I have an extremely short term memory. If I am not looking at you I probably won’t remember what you said.
22. I have an amazing group of friends, many that I have known since elementary school.
23. One of my favorite things to do alone is drive around on a sunny day or to clean while blasting my tunes!
24. My favorite CD currently is Maroon 5 “Wont Be Soon Before Long”.
25. I don’t own any comfortable shoes....save one pair of flats. Life is too short to be comfortable, so am I.
26. I love new clothes and new accessories.
27. I want a new purse but am not sure which type.
28. I am in love with my husband. He is in Chicago and I am missing him muchos!
29. I like to think I am a good cook...but know that Adam is way better.
30. I love to learn but don’t have a desire to go to grad school.
31. I am an extremely impatient person.
32. I wish that I lived in a more happening city on the coast or in Europe.
33. I have always been more mature than my age and generally get along with people much older than myself easier than those younger.
34. I can’t believe how long this is taking me.
35. I love to have people over and get together with friends.
36. Book stores are my weakness. When I go in it is at least an hour before I come out.
37. I like to surround myself with motivated and positive people.
38. I wish I was in Chicago with Adam.
39. When I am bored I like to shop.
40. The cleanliness of my house and car has a huge impact on my mood and sanity…
41. My hair looks awkward today. I wish I could pay Marci to wash, dry, and style it each day.
42. I am a nerd and love to play strategic board games such as Settlers of Catan and Scrabble.
43. I have always wanted to be a lawyer but politics scare me.
44. One of my biggest aspirations is to write a book.
45. When I first started school I wanted to be an artist.
46. I have always wanted to be a college professor…. * sigh * maybe one day.
47. One of my favorite things is Adam’s optimism and how easy going he is! He is always up for anything and is never moody! He’s ideal.
48. I hate for people to feel left out.
49. I love to read and am excited to read anything that I want!
50. I care too much what others think about me.
51. I worry that I will never feel maternal.
52. I am grateful that I have always had good health.
53. I have never mowed the lawn and don’t really have the desire to.
54. I want an iPod but my husband won’t let me get one.
55. One day I want a BMW or Mercedes.
56. I love my ward and hope to get to know people better than I currently do.
57. I love milk chocolate and dark chocolate.
58. I have gone shopping for new sheets 4 times and have come home empty handed each time…perhaps I will go again tonight.
59. I want new bedding.
60. I wish my parents would let us paint this house.
61. If I had the money I’d re-carpet this house.
62. I like the new JT & Madonna song.
63. My feet are very ticklish but I love to get pedicures.
64. One of my favorite de-stressors is a hot bath.
65. I think all of my friends and family are extremely talented individuals and like to surround myself with their amazing-ness.
66. I hope that this next year I will get to see Adams family more often and get to know them better.
67. Driving on the streets near my house is a joke and each day I am afraid I am going to fall deep down into a pot hole never to be seen again.
68. Udot is a joke.
69. My parents changed my name when I was 2.
70. I am excited for my cutest tiny friend Ashlee to get married and am honored that she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids.
71. I wish I could get my hair to curl the way Jessica Simpson’s does.
72. I have never died my hair and don’t plan to do so anytime soon.
73. I loved my wedding day, but if I could do it over I would go with Ashlee’s photographer! Talk about gorgeous pics!
74. I hardly have any pictures of Adam and I together since we have been married. This must be remedied.
75. My graduation party was absolutely ideal!
76. One day I hope that my closet is like Cher’s on “Clueless” so that each day I can reinvent myself in different little outfits.
77. Each Halloween I get anxiety over what costume to be…this year I am going to plan early.
78. I think Yellowstone is one of the most magical places on earth.
79. I can’t believe I still have 21 more of these to go.
80. I love the Spanish guitar.
81. One day I hope to be a good dancer.
82. Adam is a very good dancer.
83. Adam is pretty much great at everything.
84. I love jazz music and 1950’s style music such as Frankie, Dean, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, the Pink Martini.
85. My biggest pet peeve is people that are inconsistent and flaky.
86. I wish I was more informed politically so I could have a better formed opinion on the upcoming elections.
87. College has made me a bit of an environmentalist.
88. I wish that all drinks came in funky glasses and not just alcoholic ones.
89. My family has a tradition for pretty much everything: birthdays, Christmas, vacations …and I love it!!!
90. I have a truly embarrassing moment at least once a week.
91. The Walmart by my house is so ghetto that Adam and I drive 60 blocks (about 8 miles) to a nicer one.
92. This summer I am going to start voice lessons.
93. I wish this didn’t take me so long.
94. I am so glad that sandal weather is now here!
95. I think I suffer from SAD: Seasonal Affect Disorder. I am so much happier when the sun is shining.
96. My absolute dream is to sing on Broadway one day and so I live vicariously through my amazingly talented Paul.
97. When I hear powerful songs I cry…for example “For Good” from Wicked...
98. I am pretty sure I have the most adorable nieces and nephews…they did the hula at my graduation luau while my mom played the ukulele. It was classic!
99. My taste in music I feel is very broad.
100. I need a good idea to do for my 2nd anniversary.
101. In just 16 days I will be in sunny California! YIPPEE!!!!

Book Club

For practically a year now when I get together with my girlfriends or fabulous sisters we often talk about everyones latest read!!! And for a year now my friends and I keep saying 'Hey we should start a book club!" As of right now, no one has claimed this responsibility and for months I have been telling myself to go ahead and start it! With finals only 3 days from being finished, and with graduation approaching in a week and a half, this seems like an ideal time! However, I must admit I have been hesitant to start a 'Book Club' for a couple reasons:
1-I am not really interested in reading LDS Historical Fiction *gasp* !That right there limits me, as that genre is one of the most popular. However, I have never given it a try so perhaps I am depriving myself of something enjoyable...yet my sensibilities say...if your going to read history perhaps it should be fact and about real people and not the 'Steed' family (ha ha...sorry that just really gets me!)? What are your thoughts? Am I being a dork?
2-Over the past 3 years I have been bombarded with literature that is less than palatable to the masses and I feel that my sensitivity to certain subjects has been tainted by what for me has become the norm of literature. I am nervous about selecting books for fear of completely offending someone. So for any of you Bloggers out there, if you are currently in a book club, or have simply read some good books (including LDS historical fiction) I would love some suggestions to get this Book Club under way!!!
Despite my small reservations the best part of the Book Club is the Club aspect and together we can choose which books we would like to read and just go for it! I feel that the first book is going to be "Train to Potevka" by Mike Ramsdell. I went to a fire side last night where he spoke and told of his experiences being an intelligence agent in Russia. I was on the edge of my seat and felt inspired by his words! His message was simple and clear: That God is good and mindful of us all and that goodness is found everywhere throughout the world!

So any of you hot peeps that want to join in our little Book Club let me know!

Newlywed Realizations...

A few nights ago Adam and I had a lovely Sunday dinner with some of our friends. After dinner we played some card games and then brought out 'The Newlywed Game'!!! The game that is sure to cause some laughs, some awkwardness, and even some realizations. Adam and I have been married just shy of 2 years now and we totally spanked everyone in the Newlywed Game...twice(!!! We Rock !!!). However, despite our victory, many of our truthful answers to questions made me realize that I need to re-evaluate my life and prioritize differently.

This brings me to my latest book. I was at work yesterday and a lovely friend and co-worker of mine walked by with a book...not just any book...a self-help Dr. Laura book. The title alone made my eyes roll..."The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" GAGGGG me with a spoon right? My friend quickly picked up on my blatant expression. She quickly sprang into a discussion of how it has truly helped her to become aware of how she treats her husband, and essentially how to give her husband what he wants/needs so she can get what she wants/needs. I know I KNOW...not exactly rocket science...but I felt intrigued. She was on the last page and dropped the book off at my desk and challenged me to read it.

I've never really been a Dr. Laura fan, and am not exactly a 1950's housewife so it may be surprising to some, including myself, to look in my purse and find this red and white book with Dr. Laura's face staring back at me. However, as I read the introduction I feel that there is much I can learn--not just in how you treat your husband, but how you treat all those close to you. How many times in a day do we bow down to those people we hardly know and are snotty or short to those we care about most when we get home? Anywho...I am all about self improvement, and who knows...perhaps even Dr. Laura...as cliche and awkward as it sounds...can offer some sound advice.

You can expect a full book review after finals :)!!!