simply us.

remembering

2011-11-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

last night I spent some time with some of the girls that are in my ward. Most of them I have only met in passing at church or at other activities and don't really know that well. It was fun to get to know them and talk about how we all ended up here and other girl stuff {over crafting, of course}

I'm one of the newest newlywed in the group and so they all were asking questions about how we met, where we got married, and of course - how he proposed. and its funny because lately all of our stories have revolved around the sealing and the reception and the honeymoon and such because HEY, WE JUST GOT MARRIED! WOO LOOK AT US! - and I won't lie, I love talking about all those things! they are such happy memories and fun times, who wouldn't?

But probably my favorite story I got to tell was how M proposed. When we got engaged we went back to a place that had known us, has been there the previous year and a half we were together, and had probably already known it was going to happen {bc M spilled to beans to everyone BUT me} and to be honest, people already expected grandios from M and tears from me so it was fun to tell people who haven't known us very long. I hadn't told the story for a little bit and all those emotions I felt at that moment, and the days thereafter came flooding back. The butterfiles and the happy tears and those moments where we would just look at each other and be like "AH WE'RE ENGAGED?!?". It was so new and fun and fresh. I love remembering that story and that time in our lives that really wasn't that long ago at all {but sometimes feels like for-ev-er!} And all the oo-ing and aww-ing just reminded me how lucky I am to have this husband of mine :)

pictures from the day after we got engaged, in Central Park.

p.s. for the proposal story click here

p.s.s. for the pictures of the proposal click here

p.s.s.s. I just realized its exactly 10 months today since we got engaged! how fitting.

sickness

2011-11-02T08:44:00.001-07:00

seriously, it sucks.

that is all.

el templo

2011-10-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

we love that the DC temple is 'our' temple now.

p.s. m said that it was ok we kissed in front of the temple bc we are already married. just sayin.

we also love that Ashley & Jared live 10 minutes from the temple and cook us dinner when we go :)

Jazz in the Park

2011-10-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

on the last friday of the free jazz in the sculpture garden on the national mall, we had a picnic of au bon pain sandwiches, utz cheetos and farmers market peaches {which i'm missing so much right now!}

oh yea and a walk down to chinatown for a nice cold DC :)

the end :)

lets take a few seconds to breathe

2011-10-25T17:13:00.001-07:00

taken on the day we got our marriage license. {when I was still very much breathing}

So many of you know that when we moved out here to DC M started grad school {which sidenote, he LOVES!} and I started a job at the CFPB {or Consumer Financial Protection Bureau}. Phew. Ok.

I didn't even begin to know what that meant when I accepted the offer. I had an inkling of idea of what the day-to-day duties might be, but nothing solid. You want to know why I agreed to quit a job that I loved and move across the country {and not just because it was obvious I needed a job and M was going to school near}? Because I believed and felt a passion for what the CFPB was all about. The mission of helping the american people. The drive for making sure the 'big bad banks' don't fool us all again. The epic idea of transparency! {you're kidding!} I wanted to be a part of all that.

Well I am, and have been for almost 2 months now. I can't believe its only been that long. Literally its felt like 6 or maybe even 9, but definitely longer than 2. And it has been a series of up & downs {hello, its a startup!!} {and also hello, they changed my job duties drastically- in a good way!!} but I can honestly say how grateful I am for that mission, the very reason I accepted this job - because without that I don't think I could justify 10 hour days {leaving when its dark and getting back when its dark!?} and endless projects and to-do lists and long phone conversations with bank executives. but I do, because I think it is worth it

it also doesn't hurt that my husband doesn't get home until 9 PM and so I don't even have to start cooking dinner until 8, :)

But sometimes I need a few seconds to just breathe. To sit and think and laugh with my husband. To do the things I love outside of work. To just be.

There are several ways to do this I think, and everyone is different, but I am employing 3 methods over the next week or so:

COOKING and BAKING! - On the menu this week: mini chicken pot pies, chicken tortilla soup, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and chocolate silk pie! mmmm, fall!
a mini getaway & time with friends - this weekend the hubs and I are going to go to the Annapolis Sat/Sun to look around, eat good food and do whatever the heck we want. Just an hour away and free nights stay and we've got that mini getaway {seriously, I didn't mean for the rhyming, just go with it} and then pumpkin carving/pumpkin seed baking/scary movie watching with our fave couple Ash & Jared! wooooo!
exercise! - my darling husband created a {reasonable!!} workout schedule for me, and I'm going to STICK TO IT, dangit.

So here's to breathing!

Adventures in DC

2011-10-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

On Labor Day we decided to explore the city with some friends {who we didn't get pictures with/of, oops} and even though M & I have already seen all of the sites, Cate & Wyatt just moved here from Boston and hadn't had the chance to {and the new MLK memorial was open too, so what the heck.}

It was supposed to rain and ended up 1) not raining and 2) being hott! We also went to my very favorite place in DC for milkshakes - Good Stuff Eatery - so I was a happy camper. It was a lot of fun, we definitely love DC!

Let's just get it out there - I'm not a sailor

2011-10-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

So M has an aunt and uncle who live in Baltimore and they also happen to have a sailboat. So last weekend they oh so graciously invited us out for a weekend of sailing fun. Now, neither of us has ever been sailing before, and let me just say this: M was excited, and I was terrified I would vomit. I have terrible motion sickness, in that I have to take a {non drowsy} dramamine every morning when I wake up because I take the metro to/from work. I also get sick on car trips, airplanes, and... boats. But since the dramamine seemed to be working for me on my metro rides {i could read the Express!} I let myself get a little excited.

And it was awsome right about this time.... 15 minutes in

And then the wind decided to kick it up to 30 knots and that's when my dramamine also decided to stop working.

So the pro-sailors {Aunt + Uncle} so graciously decided to change our course and stop off in Annapolis, halfway to the desired destination.

They had this amazing friend there who let us raft up {sailing term!} on calmer waters. We walked around downtown Annapolis, had dinner at this great italian place and had a bonfire.

After a calm night's sleep on the boat {1st for everything!} we had pancakes in the morning and had a verrrrrry much calmer sail back to Baltimore.

So, although I am not a sailor, M definitely got the hang of it. Looks like a hobby he will take up on his own! ;-)

part V: {details}

2011-10-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

{uber warning: I should have split this post up, but it sort of spinned out of control and I couldn't stop myself from typing and posting pictures and more typing, and so it looks like youre just going to have a deal with a monster post. enjoy!}

there was so much that went into planning a wedding I had no idea about, but good thing for me I have an amazing partner-in-crime {morgface} and 2 moms {and lots of other helpful peeps} to help me remember everything and to pitch in to make M & I's dream become a reality.

Soon after we got engaged I began what infamously came to be known as "the wedding notebook". it started out innocently enough, just a collection of inspiration photos and a place to keep all the info related to the wedding. It turned into a complete documentation of every detail and to-do list, down to every day of the week before the wedding. {can you tell I'm a PLANNER?!?}

anyways

we had a lot of projects. most of them happened, some of them didn't and a lot of them got changed during the course of our 7 month engagement. all of them were very 'us' {and money saving! boo ya!} and everyone pitched in! yay! so here goes a {very wordy} list {that does not by any stretch of the imagination include every DIY project we did, but alas}

1. first off, our entire invitation suite. I joined a site called OneHeart Weddings and got some inspiration, and some clip art, from their site and designed our main invite, sealing invite, RSVPs & directions insert. Oh and I used postcards.com for our save-the-dates {way easy}. we bought our paper at a local wholesale paper store and ordered our "pockets" offline, which saved a bundle. we printed everything at our FedEx store where Mr. Shawn thought I looked like Zooey Deschanel and only charged us for the printing {boo ya!} The stickers were from Michael's. and the little photo stickers on the back of each and every invite were from Michael's too - but the labor was all mine {and M's. yep, for reals.}

shout out to mrs. jenn fearnley who helped me stuff all of our invitations one night while M and Levi painted their nursery {which is now filled with our godson! woohoooo!} there are no amount of words for a "thankyou!", but "thankyou!"

2. the wedding party:

So our official wedding party consisted of Maid of Honor: Stephanie Bennett {my sis!} and Best Man: Austin Canfield {M's bro!}. They were seriously so awesome at being helpful and calm and awesome and did I mention helpful? Steph made my garter [with a KC Chiefs insignia! boo ya!] and I got her this. For Austin we got him these.

Then there were our very best friends that came out and supported us, and we wanted to include them too. So for the girls I had my very crafty and best friend Ashley help with little gifts that I thought up but could never do myself. She created a pair of sequined heart shoe clips and a cream felt flower clip for each girl. For the boys we opted for suspenders and M picked out each one for each guy!

And then of course - Us.

The Mrs: I never really grew up dreaming of my wedding and what it would look like, least of all what I would wear, so when it came time to shop for a dress I only had an inkling of what I wanted: lace and not poofy {and no train! and no vale!} Long story short I found this dress, which actually didn't end up looking like this dress at all, and changed it to how I wanted it. There were some bumps along the road but it ended up exactly like I wanted - and I felt so beautiful in it. For my accessories I kept it simple since the dress was so intricate. I bought the earrings from etsy and then bought all the moms the same pair with a different color 'gem'. and then shoes I found at Target for $10.

The Mr: We actually bought M's outfit while my dress was getting made but we went with a tan suit and this amazing tie we found on a super sale at Macy's. He picked everything out and I just said yay or nay, so I'm glad he's good at picking out. Also, those cuff links were his gift our first Valentine's together {and little did we know it would be the last time he wore them, we got back from our honeymoon and they are lost!} For the beach he went way more casual and he just bought some darker dress pants and a white linen blend button down. I also made both their boutenniers {M didn't want flowers and found a picture similar to these online. He came to Hobby Lobby with me and picked out the leaves and pins and I found the starfish from Oriental Trading}

3. the flowers:

So everyone seriously thought I was crazy for deciding to do all the flowers for our wedding. But I didn't want to pay for all that crap I didn't want when I thought I could do it myself. So I did a bunch of online research of flowers, figured out what color scheme we wanted and even watched some YouTube videos on bouquet making. Since the whole event was in 2 cities over 2 days it was a little more complicated so I opted for an easy, simple bouquet for the day of the wedding {hydrangeas we found the day before at the same place I got boutenniers for my proms! ha!} and then the more fun, jumble of flowers I had the idea for in my head for the ring ceremony/reception. My friends helped me the night before the wedding in my parents kitchen making me and Steph's bouquets and actually they were really easy! It was so fun to learn how to do that with them.

I ended up finding {seriously 3 weeks before the wedding} a wholesale florist in Wilmington, who was this awesome old British guy who was so helpful and honest and even shipped in stuff for free for me... it was awesome. The day of the reception M and I went and picked up all the bunches at his warehouse and then I put together all the centerpieces while everyone was decorating and our DJ {our friend Lara} was learning the sound equipment we rented. Then after everyone left and everything was set, I made {with the help of my husband[!]} mine, Steph's and the toss bouquets with all the leftover flowers.

I remember right after we finally finished that we only had a few hours before the ring ceremony started and I was going to get ready with my friends and I didn't want to forget in all the craziness to show M his groom's cake - so I made him close his eyes and I opened the fridge they were being stored in. Almost 9 of the cake pops actually melted in the trip from Winston to the beach {remember, 107 degrees on wedding day!} so he ate one of those {and said they were still good!} and was really surprised and happy. I remember loving that moment. {note: that was the only one he got! everyone devoured them, haha}

this was after 2 hrs of taking pics and they were wilting by then ha.

this is the 'after' it had been thrown, hit the lamp and exploded. ha.

3. the entire reception. {ok sorry I'll try and break it down a little more}

a. the tables:

burlap table runners with ruffles on each end were made by my mom Lisa. all of them. Also the burlap bows on the back of every other chair were dreamed up and created by her. centerpieces were a collective effort across the country. I wanted a mismatch of vases and candle holders, based on some inspiration {before we M & I were even engaged} I had while helping Mrs. Jenn Fearnley move their new bed from her great grandmothers house who had recently passed away. While roaming I found some adorable milk glass vases and her grandmother let me take them {along with some hat pins, which helped during the bouquet making}! So I kept them and then shared my idea with my mothers and my friends and after countless goodwill, salvation army and flea market trips our centerpieces were almost finished. The last bit of fun was added later in our engagement when we took a trip to Alabama to help with the tornado relief effort. We did a lot of tree removal and at this one particular house we asked if we could take a part of their tree home with us {yes, we got many weird looks} and M cut them up in slices, sanded and stained them. We put one on every other table and used the rest of the stump for a place to put 'our' cake. Oh and I also used my stepdad's woodburning kit and woodburned "M <3 J" on all of them. {and then of course I arranged all the flowers in the vases}

you can kind of see the ruffle by Madeline's foot :)

b. the cupcake tower & groom's cake:

being the cupcake lover I am we opted for an un-traditional {but still done a lot} cupcake cake with our own little layer {on our tree stump}. We ordered the cupcake tower online and then bought a few vintage maps {one US, one world} and covered the tiers in that. I used some paint from another project with a little matching ribbon for the connectors. My MIL Karen bought the cupcake liners which I found on this website. The groom's cake were cake balls {red velvet + cream cheese frosting} decorated like tuxedos. {didn't make those - they were ordered from this place} the cake stands I made by buying plates and stands from goodwill and epoxing {made up word} them together. {also, the whole grooms cake was a surprise! boo ya!}

c. the sweet shoppe:

these were also our favors and we wanted to incorporate all our different sides, so we asked random people in our family what their favorite candy was. {and of course we chose our own} At the same time we were gathering our centerpiece stuff we were looking out for larger glass containers which ended up housing all the delish candy. {we also borrowed some from family}. We bought most of our candy in bulk from a local wholesale place in Memphis, as well as Sams & Target. The banner {which says 'sweet shoppe'} was made by yours truly, and was definitely a project that tested my then-nonexistent sewing skills, but it ended up looking great with a lot of advice from others. We also used a bunch of Lisa's Christmas village props to help add dimension. I bought the bags and stamps at Michael's and Lisa stamped all of them with our initials. I also found some frames at goodwill and printed off some signs on our extra wedding invite paper for some "instructions" for the guests. For the labels I spray painted chalkboard paint onto a black posterboard and then glued them on wooden squares I found at Michaels. Morgan screwed little holes in the top corners and I tied them on the containers with twine. The night before the sealing we set everything up on my parents table in Winston and with all the candy in and Morgan and I wrote all the labels {hence: ROCK MANIA for rock candy}

d. the guest book & other deco

I already had a polaroid camera so that's where the idea came from, but I ended up finding a good deal on a bigger one and film so our guestbook was born! I bought a cheap-o scrapbook from Hobby Lobby and put black corner stickers on all the pages so every one could take a picture, put it in a slot and then sign their name/message. It was really fun to see everyone so interactive, and since I had so much extra film {from the deal!} our friends just started taking pictures of everything going on and so we have those throughout.

So some of the 'smaller' details were among my favorite - like the burlap covered J & M hanging outside the doors coming in. I had the idea and Lisa and Ashley made it happen. We also had strings of pictures of Morgan and I {and everyone in between} on twine with little clothes pins from Michaels/Hobby Lobby hanging on all the huge vintage doors that I loved.

My mom Cindy also cross stitched this amazing picture that had a lyric from our first dance {I Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley} and our feet on the beach and initials. We put it on our gifts table and it got kind of covered up by the end of the night, but its hanging in our apartment now!

see the cross stiched pic in the back??

4. the beach ceremony:

Cindy was a huge help in everything beach ceremony - essentially the entire set-up - and then she also got these fans from Oriental Trading that came in handy, for realz.

For the end of the rows I bought raffia from Hobby Lobby and essentially just looped it and tied it with twine so we could easily just hang it on the end of the chair. For every 3rd row I found some big starfish to tie on it as well, bringing in that beach-y feel {more than being on the beach? idk} Other than that we kept it really clean and simple.

So, like I said, we had a lot of details and a lot of DIY projects but it really made it a team effort between M, my family and friends and I and I'm really glad we did it that way. It became a wedding that was completely us as well as them, and it was perfect.

part IV: {reception}

2011-10-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

our ring ceremony was at 5:30 on Saturday, with our reception following at 7:00 at this wonderful renovated train station with big vintage doors and exposed red brick. we loved the place. we spent all morning {and afternoon, really} fetching flowers, setting up the venue, and pretty much running around. it was busy, but we had a lot of fun doing it with everyone. so many people stayed up late on friday night setting up and then waking up early saturday to come help. it was awesome to see it all come together with everyone that pitched in.

we had a buffet dinner of good ole southern cuisine: M's choice {and my resounding approval}... pulled pork, roasted chicken, mac & cheese, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes. and yes, we did eat, we made sure of it.

we had our cake cutting, first dance and dances with our dads/mom. i threw my bouquet {which hit one of those awesome hanging lights and exploded before my cousin Ashlyn caught it} and a customized KC Chiefs garter my sister/MOH made me. and we watched a wonderful video my amazing father made that pulled everyone together. and then we danced the night away {thanks to our amazing friend/DJ Lara Hubbard who manned the ipod playlist and was an expert at that sound equipment, couldn't have done it without you!}

I remember dancing our last slow dance {At Last - Etta James} and M leaning in close and daring me to list one thing that I didn't like about that night {knowing the perfectionist I am}. and I remember saying "that it won't last longer". its true, we were tired, we were getting burnt out. our feet hurt, and we probably really smelled. but we could have stayed there all night laughing and dancing and celebrating with everyone. it was truly a perfect night.

{fun fact: after the ring ceremony everyone peaced out on the trolleys back to the where the reception took place while M and I took pics on the beach. on the way back we saw a McDonalds - and we zipped through the drive thru for a large DC and a large DDP. Only M's family knows that because we stopped back at the hotel to tidy up {it was real windy at the beach and my hair was shot to heck} and they were walking down to the reception center when we pulled up. I remember his dad saying to M "so, you get married and take her to McDonalds, real classy" even though he already knew it was my idea :)}

part III: {ring ceremony}

2011-10-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

many that are close to M and I were not able to attend our sealing inside the temple, and so we wanted to do something that would somehow include them in witnessing our union as husband and wife, so we opted to skip exchanging rings at the temple and wait until the next day.

Now, disclaimer: this is something we had been planning to do for a long time though, because I knew it was something I would definitely do when I got married, and so when we started talking about how we would do it we quickly came to one conclusion, it was going to completely shout to the roof tops "THIS IS SO M AND J" and that is how our ring ceremony was born.

We had it at the beach because thats one of our favorite spots on earth. We did it on the NC coast because thats where I have spent so many of my happy memories. We had M's dad conduct the ceremony and speak. We had our brother and sister as our MOH/BM. We said vows that we literally thought of on the spot. And we had M's other brother play piano for our intro/extro {yeah, not words.} It was so us, and I am so happy we did it, not only for those close family members and friends who had the opportunity to participate in our wedding in some way, but because we were able to express to eachother in another way our symbolic sense of our love that will last forever.

and hey, I got to wear my dress twice. not too shabby, eh?

part II: {sealing linner}

2011-10-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

so before we ever got engaged both M and I knew that we didn't want our sealing and reception on the same day. for many reasons, we knew it. well when we decided to get sealed in the Raleigh, NC temple and then have the rest of our festivities on the coast {2 hours away} we knew we wanted to do something after our sealing to celebrate even before the rest of the celebration! I mean for goodness sakes we would be married!

so, we had a linner. {lunch + dinner - and yes thats exactly what I put on the invitations thankyouverymuch} and we had it at one of the most delicious italian places in raleigh I've eaten - ok maybe I was just real starved but for reals, it was the bomb dot com. Anyways we decided italian because {spoiler!} we had barbeque at the reception {and its my fave, duh}.

and oh, italian we did eat.

we had our own private room with a bunch of round tables set up - it was a perfect way to have all our family and friends in one room and let them get to know eachother - and catch up - some of them hadn't seen eachother for years! and it was a great way for M and I to mingle and really connect with everyone in the midst of all the wonderful wedding-ness.

side note: I didn't take any pictures. these are stolen from various people.

Some things I remember about the dinner:

I was showing Mary Grigg my ring, and telling her about how M & I's wedding bands are identical and have the same engraving inside - and she told me a hilarious story about her 10th anniversary gift {which by the way, their anniversay was THAT day! now we have the same anniversary! shout out!}
M & his cousin Robert sitting and chatting forever like little girls. There was a few times M would disappear and I knew I would find him next to Robert - {they hadn't seen eachother since before M's mission and used to be real close}
hearing the laughter from the table in the corner {which housed the following: Ashley, Jessica, Rachael, Lara, Ryan and my brothers Billy and Michael. yeah, what a combination}
Madeline sitting on my stepdad Gary's lap pointing at all the pictures in the Wilmington guidebook and saying "daddy!" "daddy!" "daddy!" at every picture she saw. yeah she wasn't too good at talking yet.
and lets be honest here - THE FOOD. IT WAS SO GOOD.

The room was full of love and how grateful I am for those few hours that we got to spend with those people that just shared such an important event in our lives. I'm so glad we decided to do it, and a big thankyou to M's parents for making it happen :) best in-laws ever!

up next: part III: {ring ceremony}

the {un-royal} wedding of the year!: part I {temple}

2011-10-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

So most of you have seen {most, if not all} of these pictures on face book. I don't care.

ok sorry, I care - but I'm still going to subject you to it again, because I love telling the story of our wedding, and I never want to forget my thoughts about it.

so the first place to start is of course, the actual wedding! - our sealing in the Raleigh, NC LDS Temple - for time & all eternity will always be the most spiritual, happy, love runneth over, experience of my life.

the details of that experience, however, are private to my husband and I, so onto the 'after'!

I remember thinking as we waited in the entrance of the temple as our photographer got ready, "it is probably so hott out there and I really like the AC" - ha, no I'm kidding {thought I should have thought about that! it was 107 degrees!} what I was really thinking was "i'm married, we're married, i'm still crying, this is awesome" and as we walked through the door i started laughing because seeing everyone crowded around the entrance of the temple for some reason was so ridiculous looking to me, and I had no idea that was what normally happened.

and then I remember seeing my brother Billy who I hadn't gotten to see before our wedding because he goes to school/works on the coast so he met us there -

so after hugging him I scanned the crowd and found my mom. and started crying, again. Seeing my mom for the first time after I had gotten sealed was a really emotional moment for me for a lot of reasons, but at that moment all I can remember is her smile and the happiness she expressed on her face. I was so grateful for that.

Then there were a lot of pictures! and sweating! and pictures! and lots of sweating! By the way, it was NOON when we came out of the temple. nuf said.

I had previously sent my photographer a 'shot list' for pictures since there were so many of us, and were going to be our "more formal" pictures of the wedding. I'm so glad I did because her assistant for the day just called out names and groups and it was so organized {mostly}

Once we got through the list everyone peaced out {and cooled off} and headed to the restaurant and Morgan and I took the 'us' pictures. I was still processing everything, and completely sweaty and we were hurrying because they were going to close the temple but for some reason, I was totally calm.

I'm so grateful for family and friends that were there to support us on that amazing Friday afternoon that changed the course of our lives and sealed us together for eternity. We were so humbled by the outpouring of love from every side - my side, morgans side - every which side. and still talk about it almost every day.

So thank you to all who were there to support us, parents, aunts, uncles, family friends, friends that are like family, all of you who were present {and even those who werent} - we thank you

up next: Part II {sealing linner}

See look! I'm involved!

2011-10-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend.. no two weekends ago... no, whatever - a few weekends ago was our General Relief Society Broadcast. {like everyone else, the Deetster's talk was my fave} My stake held a dessert reception and an event called Women in the Arts beforehand, and invited any sister to display one of their talents throughout the cultural hall.

So what did I do? I cheated and and put my scrapbooks on display.. that I did years ago. Oh and threw in our wedding guestbook for good measure {that post is coming, promise} and tried to make it look pretty with a homemade chalkboard and kraft paper.. {yes one of the RS sisters may have forced me to use one of their table cloths because I wasn't 'fancy' enough... woops}.. and here is the proof.

told you people I'm not a hermit who doesn't participate!

though i did not actually take my camera, i stole these pictures from the RS blog. baby steps, people.

Monday Night Menu: Becoming a wife

2011-10-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

So most of you know M and I dated for almost 2 years before we were married. We started being a "thing" only 3 months after I moved to Memphis - 6 months after I had graduated from college.

Ok, I'll make it more simple: I was on my own for two and half years and never did I think to prepare to be a wife.

So that might sound weird, but its true. Now that I look back {after only 2 months of marriage, I know, I'm being dramatic} I can see the ways that I did prepare - but I never really did it on 'purpose' - now I don't know if thats a good thing or a bad thing, and I don't really care {and at this point it doesnt matter, right?} but I'm sort of happy that I did it that way, because right now, I love learning how to be a wife with my husband.

I can't really explain why, just that I love it.

One thing that is probably one of my favorite things about becoming a wife is cooking! {I know, another weird thing}

I'm not the kind of girl that has always loved to cook and has been honing her cooking skills for years - nope, I'm the kind of girl that ate mac & cheese and blueberry muffins all through college {from boxes, of course} and is completely content eating a bowl {or two} of cereal for dinner. So its been an adventure ever since Morgan and I started dating and started cooking together, and it continues to be now that we're newlyweds.

One thing I've started doing since we got married is make out a menu every week - not to say that we always follow it because things always come up {like chicken not thawing for 3 days in our freezing fridge} - but it has helped me organize our grocery shopping {and budget} and try new recipes every week. What I've found is that the some of the things that I've always been scared to try or shy away from have become part of my "Staples Menu" {or a running list of things I think I'm particularly good at, or taste muy bueno}

So this week's menu:

Monday - homemade pizza {whole wheat dough. great garlicy-olive oil sauce with leftover chicken from this}

Tuesday - whatever {Morgan plays basketball after class - which means either leftovers or cereal - guess which one I usually choose :)}

Wednesday - Buffalo Wild Wings {yea, we're going to IKEA, and guess whats down the road? yep, cop out}

Thursday - Brinner - waffles & strawberries, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs {waffles - my dad's recipe}

Friday - Date Night - Tacos! {not exactly original, but new thing: making hard tacos out of tortillas} + a redbox.

Saturday - Chicken Parmesan

Sunday - Cheeseburgers + Parmesan Ovenbaked Fries

Little Baby LJ

2011-09-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thinking about this lady (ok, and her husband)...

at our wedding shower, thrown by her and leviticus

at my endowment session (same day as the wedding shower, big day!)

YOLO

i love them.

because today is the day that little (actually, its going to be big) baby is supposed to come into this world

so here's hoping! i want to meet him so badly!

"i want american food"

2011-09-29T11:57:00.000-07:00

thats what M told me when we were discussing where to go for our date night last Friday.

So I suggested chicken wings - of course - so M went in search of the best place around our parts courtesy of the internets.

and we found it. plugged it in to the (not-so-trusty) tom-tom and went on our merry way.

on our way we saw a different wing place, but we couldn't remember if it was one of the 'good' ones (they aren't very original - 'Wing Factory' 'Wing Place' 'Wing Joint' - I mean seriously I can't tell the difference)

SO we passed it up and went to the supposed 'good' place -

after about 63 minutes we figured out that it, in fact, did not exist anymore.

sooo about another 20ish minutes and we were back to the previously mentioned Wing Something-or-other place we had passed earlier.

sat down, and sat and sat and sat some more

Until numerous servers/workers/wing people all ignored our stare downs and pleas for good ol american chicken wings and we walked out {yeah I was not patient anymore at this point.}

so we walked around the shopping center hoping (so much!) to find a place that was still open

NO SUCH LUCK. surprise surprise.

so we got back in the car, pushing about 104 minutes since departure of our apartamento, and drove to none other than

5 GUYS

and no one was there - so we got piping hot cheeseburgers and a butt load of extra fries

and we drew pretty pictures of said cheeseburgers.

If that's not american, I don't know what is.

**not all the ketchup pictured above was consumed. yes, we are wasters.

LIFE!

2011-09-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

well, work life.

it changes in the blink of an eye (or a meeting randomly at 10 AM on a Tuesday)

and when its for the better, you just sit and wonder - wow. (its for the better right? its for the better right? i'm pretty sure it is. over and over)

i've been in what people call the "industry" or "professional world" for almost two and a half years now.

and i'm (still?) not used to it.

but i think thats good. i'm always on my toes, ready for the next new step.

and that, my friends, is how knowing how to use powerpoint (well. because those SmartArt graphics are important ;) gets you a pat on the back and a front door into meeting the head of the department. (well, thats the simplified version)

but whats funny is that the whole time all i was thinking about was getting out that front door as fast as possible to meet my husband to go on a temple date night.

so the moral of the story, kids?

temple > powerpoint.

and don't you ever forget it

Good thing my husband doesnt read my blog

2011-09-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

because he would probably not be happy I'm sharing this, but getting this e-mail this morning made my (very very very very long) week...

Subject: Hello Wife ;)

Hey my love I just wanted to let you know that I'm back safe from my run. I sent you this txt this morning:
"I'm going on my run now baby cakes! I love you so freakin much!!! You are seriously the most beautiful woman ever!"
During my run I remembered your cell was probably in your car. How's your morning love?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

thank goodness its Friday, my friends, because that means its date night with that sweet, handsome husband of mine.

and yes, i may or may not forget my phone in my car often.

Oh what I'd give

2011-09-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

to be back on the shore of the Ambergis Caye of Belize with the hubs.

suburn and all.

Happy 1 month and 22 days

2011-09-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

and if you are wondering, yes I had to go to my calendar and count the days. and no i don't deal with numbers anymore (well, except for our {very newly wed} budget) so yeah, i count days now. awesome.

I'm sure a lot of you are wondering either
a) how the wedding went
b) how the honeymoon was
c) how the move went
d) how we like DC or
e) all of the above.

yeaaaa, i'll get on that. later.

but for right now, i found a little (probably not-so-secret) secret to making cake box mixes the bomb dot com. Saturday night on the way home from the temple we were jonesing for some sweets. and I wanted to make something to enjoy during Sunday night football as well, without a whole lotta "work" (its Sunday, a day of REST for peets sake!)

So we picked up some peanut m&ms for some instant gratification and a box of Betty Crockers chocolate cake, some chocolate frosting, and some instant chocolate pudding (oh yea, we were going ALL OUT on the chocofactor). I didn't know exactly how to make the improvments yet so I didn't buy anything else, but the good news for me was that I had everything else :)

So heres the (not-so secret) secret to make your box cakes oh-so-much more delicious.:

Ingredients:
- a box of pudding (whatever flavor you want)
- 1 more egg than the box calls for
- 1 cup sour cream
- some milk (do half the water on the box and then make up the rest with milk)

Directions:
- mix the box ingredients and the box of pudding together - set aside
- mix together the water/milk, oil(or butter if you want some extra goodness) and eggs
- add the dry ingredients to the milk mixture and mix/beat/whatever well
- then add the sour cream and mix/beat/whatever some more
- while you are doing this DO NOT WORRY THAT IT LOOKS WEIRD!

and wa la - make sure you have some cupcake liners or some pam and finito!

also, even though the can frosting is DELISH! next time there will be some homemade frosting on those bad boys (i made cupcakes), because lets be serious, homemade frosting is also the bomb dot com.

p.s. don't forget the sprinkles :)

A weird thing..

2011-09-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

I only eat the red and green gummi bears.

And only Haribo.

C'mon I'm not the only one.

right?

and its official!!

2011-06-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

so if getting married wasn't exciting enough, we are adding another level of happiness to the mix!

we are moving to Washington, DC!!

we've been waiting to tell people until I told work (and family, of course), but we're just too excited to keep it to ourselves any longer.

Morgan got into the Defense and Strategic Studies graduate program of Missouri State -- Missouri State you ask? Their campus for the program is located in Fairfax, VA! :)

And I got a job at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau working in Consumer Response!

We won't be moving until after the wedding + honeymoon, as Morgan starts classes August 22 and I start work August 29th! We couldn't be more excited for this new adventure we will be taking together!

I interrupt this 3 month hiatus

2011-06-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

I found this randomly in my pictures folder. Halloween 2009. Hilarious.

To bring you a little list of things I love right. this. moment.

crystal light, pomegranate lemonade flavor (its supposed to be good for my skin. cross your fingers!)
I've had lunch with M twice a week this last month since I'm working at a bank 10 minutes down the road. its been a little slice of heaven during the day.
M and I start our "wedding diet" monday - scratch that I'm not in love with that, but I am in love with the fact I have 4 more days of non-wedding diet-ness!
M only has one more Kaplan class and then I'm going to celebrate by going on a date afterwards! and then he's going to celebrate by taking the GRE! ha. ha. ha.
my first ever bridal shower is on saturday in kansas city. IM. SO. EXCITED!. (and this wedding thing is getting. so. real.)
I'm starting another DIY wedding project tomorrow, its going to be awesommeeeee.
did I mention that crystal light flavor? its bueno.

1.3.11 in pictures.

2011-03-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Grand Central Station

Rockefeller Center

big-kid Lego Store

MoMA

Disney Store

Toys R Us

him picture.

non-blurry me picture

as Morgan was unzipping his coat and I wasn't paying attention

stranger man taking our picture

really bad hot chocolate and lots of calls

back at "our spot"

m&m store!

our celebratory just-for-the-heck-of-it m&ms

the end.

THE proposal

2011-03-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

SO NY is next on my "TO DO list" and even though Morgan didn't propose the first day, I'm just too excited to write this down finally {after 2 months of being engaged, I'm terrible.} Don't you worry though - I'll still be posting the rest of the trip. So without further ado.....

ok so... Monday, January 3rd Morgan and I woke up at my Grandma & Pa Bennett's and Grandma made us breakfast, even though I told her not to make us anything the whole time we were there. Then we got showered, ready and walked to the E. Rockaway train station and caught our train into Penn Station. Pretty much the whole time we were in NY we just planned the first thing we wanted to go do during our train ride that morning and then after that just went wherever our feet took us.

This day we decided Grand Central Station and Rockafeller Center. So we walked our little butts off, saw where they filmed Madagascar {ha}, went to the big-kid Lego store, saw all the ice skaters and big ole christmas trees, and got lunch. I can't remember where. After we decided to check out the Modern Museum of Art {MoMA} and it was awesome {I got to see Starry Night, ahhh!}. We spent a loooong time in there - so by the time we left the sun was setting. So I thought that it would be a great time to go to Times Square in all its lit-up glory for Morgan's first time {seriously, it was my idea}. So we traipsed to 47th St. and went in store after store, as I showed Morgan all the fun places I love and have been to countless times with my family. Especially the places that I went to on the surprise 18th birthday {and Christopher's simultaneous 8th birthday} trip and when I went with my mom & her friend Christina 4 years back.

As we left Toys R Us. {yes, Toys R Us} I remembered we were close to the intersection of 7th Ave/Broadway which they turned it into a pedestrian plaza - aka where the ball drops on New Years Eve - and wanted to show Morgan where the neon sign NYPD station was. So as we were walking by I pointed to it, and Morgan slowly grabbed my arm and steered me in that direction. He said he wanted to "check it out" and "get a picture"

- So I took his picture

- and was about to continue walking when he wanted to take a picture of me

- so he did,

- and it was blurry and so he did it again

- so as I came back to stand next to him and look at the camera, I snapped a picture of the NYPD station while Morgan was getting something out of his coat.

That's when I heard "Sweety" and I was still looking at the camera so I said "Yea?" without looking up. and then he didn't say anything. So I looked up. And I saw the unzipped coat, the maroon ring box with a latch and Morgan's beaming, expectant face {with that adorable grin he has} and I started crying. Yep. Instantly. And then I started saying "You are not doing this right now, you aren't, are you? Are you seriously doing this right now? Really?" All the while, crying and trying to wipe my face and eyes so I could properly see him.

And in the midst of my rambling he said "Yes." Got down on one knee, and said "Julie Marie Bennett, will you marry me?" and I smiled. {and of course was still crying} and said "yes, of course." and thats when I dragged him up {he's twice my size, it was hard} and jumped in his arms. And thats when we heard the clapping and cheering. We stopped and looked to our right and saw a group of about 5 guys clapping and yelling "Congratulations!" so we waved and smiled and tried to say "Thankyou" but I don't really know if it ever happened because we were both in shock. So then we looked back at each other and kissed and I asked him how long he had been planning this, and asked him why he wasn't acting weird all day, and we smiled and he goes "So, do you want to actually look at the ring". True story - he hadn't even opened the box yet.

So we sat down across from eachother, touching knees, on some of the metal chairs that are in the plaza we were standing in the middle of. And he opened the box. and I started crying again. Instantly. And then he laughed at me. and I was gushing. {because really, its the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen in my life} So I put it on and it fit perfectly. {except then my gloves didn't fit because it was so big and my hands were frozen the rest of the night because I refused to take off the ring. not bragging, true story.} And THEN the cheering boys came back {turns out it was a dad and 4 teenage boys}. The dad came over and told us he wanted to take our picture for us saying, "You have to remember this forever, can I take your picture?" And then I started crying again at the most wonderful thing this stranger could say - so we said yes. And took the most awful picture that I will treasure forever. Then we had no idea what to do.

So we walked. and decided to stop in a cafe and get some hot chocolate so we could call my parents. He let me know I should probably call my mom first because she had cried on the phone whenever he asked her and Gary's permission. So I did. I called her. and then my house, which Chris answered and so I told him first and then my Dad & Lisa got on the phone who were already expecting it due to Morgan's persmission call. and then Jessica. Then I called Stephanie and Billy and Michael. And then I called Ashley and Rachael. And Morgan called his parents. To be fair, he had already told everyone prior to us leaving for NY that he was going to propose, so he didn't really have to let anyone know.

So then we finished our hot chocolate, and went back to the place he had proposed just an hour before and we look "better" pictures {though my eyes still look a little red}. Then we did what were good at - going wherever our feet took us. We went and got I ♥ NY shirts for Morgan's family, found a vintage photo of Times Square showing the exact location we got engaged, and went to the M&M store to get colored peanut M&Ms. It was pretty late by then and we had to catch our train back to Oceanside so I called my Grandma to let her know when we'd be there {but didn't let her know he proposed because Morgan wanted to see her reaction in person} So we got there and got in her van, me in the passenger seat, Morgan in the back seat, and I pulled off my really tight glove {I had to put it on to surprise her!} and told her we had gotten engaged that night. She almost slammed on the breaks and said "Is that thing REAL??" and then she said something to the effect of "Congrats, that's so exciting, that's great, when did it happen? how did it happen? were you planning it? whens the wedding?"

Then we got home and she called everyone.

And the rest of the week we celebrated with family, went into the city and went wherever our feet took us, and talked about how crazy it was we were ENGAGED! :)

the end. {but sort of just the beginning}

Jenn + Levi = The Fearnley's

2011-02-26T23:07:00.000-08:00

Jenn & Levi hold a special place in Morgan and I's hearts for numerous reasons, but I'll name 4. {just because I can.}

1. I met Levi 2 weeks after he got home from his mission {before Morgan did!!} and he was reallllly awkward. {he still is, but not as much}

2. When Morgan and Levi finally met we used to go on "3-wheeled-dates" as Levi calls them before Morgan and I were ever "together". They were fun, and those were the times I started falling for Morgan.

3. Also before Morgan and I were ever "together" we hung out all the time at my apartment, and one particular night we invited Jenn and Levi over... to meet. And meet they did. Now.. they are married.

4. Jenn is beautiful. And smart. And kind. She pretty much encapsulates a lot of what I wish I could be. Also, we can talk for houurrsss and not even notice. In 3 words: I love her.

Jenn's Bachelorette Party

Morgan getting ready for the wedding. Me helping.

Still helping

Dec 31st - with the Fearnley's! :)

Feliz Navidad!

2011-02-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was wonderful!

We started off with Christmas Eve at Morgan's house with his family for the ceremonious opening of the Christmas Eve PJs. Growing up this was a tradition I had at my dad's and I was really happy I still got to experience that even being far away from my family.

{though all of Morgan's family treats me as family anyways :)}

cutest. picture. ever :).

Maddy face loved her new PJs


add the "kids" after opening our PJs


Then Morgan and I went back to my apartment to start our own Christmas Eve tradition - which included PJs, our "Gift" to Christ & reading Luke 2

and our other new tradition: Christmas colored brinner! Ornament shaped biscuits, green eggs and red{ish?} turkey bacon

Our very first Christmas Eve together!

I started making my usual sugar cookies a little late in the season and we finished them up that day. they were still delish.

And then Christmas morning! Morgan called me when everyone woke up and I drove over - after opening presents, skypeing with Morgan's dad {side note: he is coming home SOON! YAY!} and making breakfast for everyone we then went over to my apartment for "our" Christmas.

When I posted back here, I mentioned a new tradition that Morgan and I wanted to start doing together that would help us to try and focus less on gifts and more on Christ. I stumbled upon a blog post that gave me a lot of inspiration {this one} and Morgan and I talked about it and changed a few things to fit "us". We wanted something that we could do together right now, but also could apply to when we start a family. So, the deal is you have a max of 5 gifts {excluding Christmas Eve PJs}

1. you WANT. 2. you NEED. 3. you WEAR. 4. you READ. and 5. from SANTA

We thought this would not only help us to focus on what is really "essential" but also be constructive in our gift giving in that we really begin to think about what they need and giving them something to read instead of just a bunch of "stuff". We wanted to make sure that we couldn't go overboard or try to outdo one another. And we really wanted to have time to remember Christ's birth and to not focus so much on the gifts.

I'll be honest at first it was a little difficult, I kept finding stuff that I knew Morgan wanted, or I thought he would like after I had already gotten his WANT. I felt myself showing a little restraint and remembering why we wanted to start this tradition in the first place. It introduced a sense of simplicity into our Christmas season, and it was really a blessing.

I created these tags for us out of construction paper & Morgan laminated them at work. Then we just used one uniform wrapping paper for each person so we could tell whos was whos {like thats hard with just 2 people, but whatev.} These are mine to him.

and these are his to me. and he was way more creative at wrapping. I used twine, he used ribbon. oh well.

my beautiful scentsy! {a WANT}

his WANT


and THIS was from my parents my very own kindle! :)

Overall this Christmas was wonderful and looking back on it now it is so wonderful to have those memories with Morgan and his family. I'm so grateful for the people that are in my life that make me feel like this place is my real home. And I'm grateful for a man who I can share every special moment with.

Merry Christmas!

Kristen + Stephanie > Julie

2011-01-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

My cousin Kristen and I are 2 days apart. We always used to have our birthday parties together when were growing up, and we always used to tease her because she was bald until she was like 10. Well ....as of last month she become way more mature than me and got married and she has way more beautiful hair than me. go figure.

and then there is my younger sister who is technically 3 years younger but in reality about 8 years older. She graduated {the same day Kristen got married} and is now an official grown-up real-life nurse! congratulations, my lovely younger/older sister.

STL

2011-01-31T19:21:00.000-08:00

So when I go out of town, which is a lot for work, I usually just like to work out, shower, eat dinner, talk to Morgan and CHILLLLL. {wow I don't even need to blog anymore, I just summed up my life in one sentence}

When I went to St Louis for class, it was just a normal day in the life of out-of-town-Julie, except that week my friend Meredith {who used to work with me in Memphis and then moved to Chicago} was at the same exact class. So the three amigos {me, Pope and Mere} were reunited.

We decided to celebrate and catch up over dinner at Mama Capizis at The Hill - delish. - and go to one of our coworkers ice hockey game. Lets just say thank goodness the food was good, because I've never wasted that much time watching grown men fall down.

Appreciative

2011-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

{since this is my stand in journal and memory keeper}

Last night Morgan had to close at the gym - so I decided to work out up there and bring some dinner for the both of us to eat after I got done working out.

I was pretty beat since I've been sick all week, and thus it was the first time in a week I had worked out - my body was weak. But Morgan came by every so often to see how I was doing and encourage me

And so after I got through it we sat down in the office to eat our gourmet dinner {aka turkey sandwiches and chips} and we talked about the wedding, and church, and crazy people that work out at Germantown Center...and then there was a moment where there was nothing but silence and Morgan said my name, so I looked up from my gourmet chips {aka Lays} and he said "Julie, I appreciate you. I hope you know that"

and that, my friends, is the man I'm going to marry.

Wow.

2011-01-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

Its been for-ev-er.

Sorry.

Lets recap.

Ok so lets see, since the last post

I went to St. Louis for a class for work

reunited with my old buddy Meredith who moved to Chicago and was attending the same class.

Morg and I went to Auburn, AL to attend my cousin Kristen's wedding, and it was a blast.
then it was CHRISTMAS!

It was Morgan and I's first real Christmas together (last Christmas I was at my dad's in North Carolina) So we focused a lot on starting traditions together, and it was definitely my favorite part of the season.

and then our friends Jenn and Levi got married on New Years Eve!

we were particularly proud of this one since WE were the ones we introduced the happy couple!
Morgan was able to attend the sealing and was one of Levi's groomsmen. It was beautiful!

then of course, we went to NYC for VACAY!

we went to the top of the empire state building, watched improv, walked through grand central station, went to the lego store, MoMA, Guggenheim, Museum of Natural History, enjoyed central park, saw lady liberty, went to ellis island, witnessed ground zero & the building of the freedom tower, ate lots of new york style pizza and drank lots of starbucks hot chocolate, shopped!, spent time with family eating, laughing and yes - gambling. and of course.. got engaged!

THEN I flew to Kansas City, had a surprise engagement party, went to the Chiefs/Ravens playoff game, cried a little because they lost and then drove with my mom down to Arkansas
And then - we came back to real life.
And then - it was my birthday!

OK - now that I've got an outline to keep my accountable - I'll be slowly but surely be posting on each.

be patient though - i am planning a wedding. {!!!!}

Weird memories and the St. Jude 5k

2010-12-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

So I'm a little weird when it comes to memories. Only because I can barely remember anything, and I mean anything, before the age of 10. And since then I do remember a lot of things - but whats weird about it is that I remember the most random things and I remember them essentially in full color. Meaning I remember the place it happened, the people that surrounded me, the conversation that took place, and sometimes even the clothes that were worn. Now, I think this is normal. Morgan, on the other hand, thinks its weird. {but in a good way.... I think. :)}

Ok anyways - I remember this one night in the summer of 2009 - when Morgan and I were not officially 'together' yet - it had been a few months since I had moved here and I had just been to a branch FHE. I know this because there was a big group of us at Buffalo Wild Wings watching the monday night football game {actually it was pretty much only Morgan and I watching the game and everyone else being loud and obnoxious} ANYways, our friends Lara and Ryan were there {they are married now but were engaged then, and thus in the singles ward with us still} and Lara and I were talking about our work out regimes - or lack thereof - and she told me that she wanted to run the St. Jude half marathon that December and wanted me to do it with her. {psh. she obviously didn't know me that well... yet} Morgan was apparently eavesdropping on the convo and immediatly interjected that he had ran it the year before... to which I promptly rolled my eyes... {ok actually I just made that part up but it is plausible, he was always trying to impress me, and I was always {jokingly} rolling my eyes at him {as I still do}... } - anyways so I just flat out told both of them that I didn't like to run long distances and had never ran in a real race even though I loved to run, and they both started giving me a hard time about it, so I jokingly suggested we start out by doing a few 5ks {lara had also never ran a race either} together... and they both agreed. I was sort of caught off guard, not only that they were serious about it, but that a 6'1" 250 lb guy agreed to run a 5k. So I looked into it and we all signed up for a 5k in September - and blogged about here in October.

Then the rest is pretty much history, since then I've done 6 5ks - {all trained with the Morgman.} Got 1st and 2nd(s) in my age group. Got 126th overall. Got asked "what's wrong, is your leg hurt?" during a race. Gotten cheered on from the sidelines. Got cramps, ear aches, and hunger pains (yep.). Got 4 medals, a trophy and a ceramic tile (big time right there). Got runners high, courage, confidence. Even with the {made up} eyeroll he managed to inspire me, and he has every day since.

So fast forward a year and a few months and we found ourselves not at the St. Jude half marathon {he does know me well}, but the 5k and it was so much fun to do together, creating more memories :)

friends from work - janell and nicole also ran
pope was in a boot due to a stress fracture ... from running.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

So now that it's officially my holiday break I actually have some time to update, since as always I'm way behind, while the Thursday night football game is on in the background and the morgman studies (for his OAR test, oh how I can't wait for that to be over!)

This Thanksgiving I actually didn't travel anywhere - but I did have some special guests - My mom and stepdad! {though below you will not be able to find photo evidence - he was, in fact, present}

So to preface, at this point I had been sick for 2 weeks before they came in - I was feeling a lot better by then, but then my mom called me Wednesday before they left town and they had woke up with sore throats, headaches, etc - it was so sad. Then to top it all off Morgan got the flu bug on Thanksgiving morning. He got a fever and was sick all day - it was so sad. He was hurting pretty much the rest of the weekend.

BUT we still managed to have a lot of fun and enjoy our time together.

Friday we went and got my very first Christmas tree!! We went to a local tree farm and everyone helped me pick one out - my mom actually spotted the final decision. Morgan cut it down and everyone helped transport it back to my 3rd floor apartment and decorate it.

Mr. Tree has been probably the biggest reason I have been in such a cheerful Christmas mood - I can't wait everyday to come home and turn it on and water it - I like to turn off all the lights at night before I go to bed and just sit with the Morgman and talk and enjoy it all.

And I'm proud to say that I have singlehandedly {except for the 5 days I was in St. Louis and Morgan babysat} kept Mr. Tree alive, which according to my step dad lost him 5 dollars to my mom - Who bets that I will kill a beautiful Christmas Tree?!!? In your face, Gary.

On Saturday we went to dinner with Morgan's family and afterwards headed to YoLo of course! It was a hit - and a wonderful way to end a wonderful visit.

Thanks Mom and Gary for making your way to see me this Thanksgiving, I love you!

List!

2010-12-21T13:47:00.000-08:00

So my "holiday break" {consisting of 1 vacation day and 1 flex day} starts around 3:30ish tomorrow afternoon

and I can't wait!

I took a break from my online class module at work and compiled a list of what I want to get accomplished over the break.

I would say its a little lengthy for the mere 4 days I have to complete it -

but it has me focused and super excited for all the fun things we get to do!

So here's to crossing things off the list! :)

4 things:

2010-12-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Madeline is growing up so fast!

She loves all things that sparkle or dangle {aka ALL my jewelry}

she gets into everything

she waves "bye" {although awkwardly}

she knows when you say "no" and just gives a playful smile

and she is almost walking!

have I mentioned that the best thing about every week is date night?

well, it is.

{and lucky for me, this guy loves them too}

maybe its because I fully support his {ok, our} addiction to YoLo.

Oh, have I mentioned our very fave frozen yogurt place, yet?

why yes I have. a few times.

well just in case you are just now hearing about it... go NOW

we go every week. :)

Morgan's mom's {Karen} birthday was in November.

and since she is an amazing cook {especially her cakes}

I knew I couldn't trump her cake-making-abilities

so instead - we got her GiGi's cupcakes

{like the one's Morgan got me for our 1 year anniversary}

and they were just as delish-es as I remember.

Did I mention that the Morgman cut down our tree?

He did.

and I loved it.

That's it.

Happy Friday!

sharing is caring

2010-12-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon this website awhile ago.. but I actually had to use it last week

and it worked beautifully!

I found that thing {aka my phone} in no time flat {that doesnt make sense, by the way}

and wasn't late getting out the door!

It was a miracle, for reals!

So I thought I'd share.

www.icantfindmyphone.com

easy to remember, eh?

I have a new pet

2010-11-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

And it's a my very own

Christmas Tree!

I love it!

more to come of the very wonderful Thanksgiving weekend...

Random Thoughts

2010-11-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

I am pretty much worthless here at work today, and I'm about to finish up my last online class for my class in December.....

{I still don't get taking classes to attend a class. I thought prerequisites were done!}

.... and I have a bazillion random thoughts running through my head. Thought I'd share so I can continue on with my work day {which at the time of typing is 1 HOUR AND COUNTING}

Making lists helps me keep organized like for reals. My Christmas shopping is in full swing and if I didn't have a list I would be broke!
Morgan and I have been talking about starting our own traditions - not only with Christmas but all the holidays. We've had a lot of chats about what we did growing up. As of now we both agree on Christmas Eve PJ's and a few others. I stumbled upon a post in the blogworld that gave me the greatest idea for gifts for Christmas. Morgan and I are going to tweak it a little bit to fit 'us' - and I'll share it with you after the holiday!
CHEEZ-ITs + Diet Coke = delish.
There are so many weddings going on in my life right now. Not my wedding of course, but people's in my life. Sandra, Kristen, Jenn. Plus all my college friends are getting hitched all over the country. There are bound to be more the beginning of the year. I love being surrounded by love!
I've started to love feeling sore after I work out. I used to hate it - like I would seriously avoid working out hard just because I knew it would hurt later. Morgan has brought a whole new perception of fitness into my life and I really appreciate my body getting a good work out - and when its sore just a mere few hours later, that means I did the job right. Like now. ouch.
My mom and stepdad are coming in 5 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah and speaking of Christmas {c'mon, keep up people}, I have a lot of siblings. I'm glad we draw names, it helps to make my gift that much more special and unique. Instead of just getting 5 I-tunes giftcards and calling it a day. Though I don't think they would be sad about that at all now that I think about it. oh well.
Oh how thankful I am for the life I have. For the freedoms that surround me. For the truth that I have. {these feelings the aftermath of watching Hotel Rwanda and crying my eyes out. How cruel this world is sometimes}
Morgan's amazing ideas! = Double date night, complete with dinner, fire & smores.
Any thoughts about Accutane? I'm thinking about it a. lot.
Is it weird that I have an overwhelming urge to buy stuff {for myself!}?? And not just clothes {but yes, a lot of that}. but hair stuff. and shoes. and cameras. and film. and rugs. and coffee tables. and frames. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. its the season of GIVING. not getting. I'm seriously demented.
On that note... this is my favorite site for beautiful things right now. I want every one.
Is it weird that I just 'justified' this post? Work + my OCD is ruining me.

yep - these guys are coming for Thanksgiving!

at the pumpkin patch with Madeline in October.
afterwards we realized that it looks like she's our kid. oops.
and yes that was taken on Morgan's phone = blurrific

by the way my coworker who took this immediately said afterward
"now that, is facebook worthy". wow.

Are there any Mormons here tonight?

2010-11-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

As an early Christmas present I got us tickets to the Dane Cook comedy show when Morgan found out he was coming about a month ago.

We got pretty good tickets to begin with - but then got upgraded when we got our tickets scanned..

see?? that's with no zoom!

Dane's portion was great - but his openers were hilarious too.

{J. Chris Newberg and Al del Bene}

During Al del Bene's bit he mostly talked about raising his 1-year-old son

{which made both of us think of Madeline}

and the topic soon turned to religion. He started to talk about how he might raise him Mormon, just as a 'cruel joke' since he was raised Catholic.

So as everyone started laughing he goes,
"Are there any Mormon's here tonight?"

So of course Morgan and I start yelling and clapping

along with maybe 4 or 5 other people in the place.

Al stopped in his tracks and goes,
"Really??................... Shouldn't you be at home or something?"

I lost it. {it's true. we should have been home. it was Sunday.}

He proceeded to make a few jokes about Mormons but nothing terrible - it was hilarious.
I'm all about laughing at myself.

This was part of his hilarious-ness

Anyways - it was a fun night, and my first comedy show!

We were glad that Dane came through Memphis {his first time!} and we had to oppurtunity to go!

Thanks for an amazing night, my love!

Clutter + Content

2010-11-15T07:30:00.000-08:00

This is my desk.

Welcome to my life of clutter, I'm fully aware of it

and I'm totally content with it.

just lovely.

2010-11-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

Today is Wednesday

but this Wednesday is my Friday.

halle-freakin-lujah

{my old testament professor used to say that. ha.}

and for some reason I'm feeling all lovey dovey today.

and I like it.

I feel so fortunate to have love in my life.

my family. my friends.

and Morgan. especially him.

I've had the love of my family since the day I was born.

And my friends, the real ones, their love I've felt for years.

and I'm so lucky for all of it.

but this love, this love that has developed over the past year {and 2 months}

has literally changed my life.

every morning I wake up grateful I have the chance to feel this unwavering, unconditional love for another human being -

who feels the same exact feeling for me.

there's no inequality. no doubt. no missing piece.

I feel whole in a way that I never really felt was possible, or knew I needed

until I met Morgan.

I know we have miles and miles to go, so much to learn,
and many mountains to climb over

but how comforting it is to know I won't be doing it alone -
I'm not doing it alone right now.

It's days like these, where I wake up, shower, and a sleepy eyed sumo-wrestling-shirt-wearing boy walks in my door at 6:30 AM to make me breakfast.

just so we can see eachother and spend time together for oh, about a half hour, before we both jet off to our run-of-the-mill-day-to-day lives.

and times where he looks up from his studying and says 'thankyou for all you did tonight' even though he's said it a million times.

and it was just dinner.

that he even helped with {i can't for the life of me cut onions}

and those moments when I'm so frustrated, so annoyed, and all have to do is dial his number and hear his voice on the other end and

know it's all going to be ok.

and when holding his hand is all that's really necessary.

no words, no discussion, no music on the radio. just that reassurance -

that we're here...together.

and that moment when I walk in the door from traveling all week for work - sick -

and I find a vase of flowers, my favorite chocolate,

and the sweetest note {on a post-it note, which by the way may be the best part} ever

and he does it all for me.

I'm lucky, and everyday I gives thanks for that.

only one of the many surprise bouquets. :)

Drum roll please............

2010-11-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

This year Morgan and I were

Fred and Wilma Flintstone!

--no thanks to my creative thinking {my mom gave me the idea}--

After a week of measuring, and sewing, and threading and gluing,

{and some colorful curse words thrown in for good measure}

our costumes were created

and though they aren't perfect

I learned a lot through the process, and I think they turned out pretty good

{and bonus: everyone thought they were store bought! boo ya!}

and of course the night couldn't end without some drama...

we weren't the only Fred and Wilma.....

on the bright side: we {all} got 2nd place in the costume contest!

It was a very Happy Halloween

love, Fred and Wilma

Maddy Face turns numero UNO.

2010-10-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

So I think that everyone knows Morgan has a sister - who is exceedingly younger than he is - and well, she finally turned one!

I remember when I met Morgan I didn't meet his family until about 2 weeks into when we were dating - which was about 2(ish) months after we met. He had told me that his mom was prego - but not how far along (8 months by the way) - and when I met her, his dad and his brothers (who are 21 and 12), I won't lie... I was a little surprised. But, so was Madeline.

When she was born I was actually out of town for work. She was born on a Monday and I met her that Friday. Morgan had sent me pictures of her from the hospital, and then throughout the week, and so I already knew she was adorable (and tiny). When I met her that Friday though, I fell in love.

Over the past year I have gotten to know this little fire ball and her personality has completely blossomed into a little girl. and I'm still in love.

pumpkins and music.

2010-10-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

This October has been crazy, to say the least.

But it has been packed full of memories, too, and that's what's important.

When we were both {finally} in town together on a Saturday we all went to the Farmer's Market/Pumpkin Patch to pick out a pumpkin for Madeline's first {well, technically second} real Halloween. She was just happy we let her mess with dirt/large objects without taking them away :)

Later that day we went down to Minglewood Hall and caught the 3OH!3 concert.

It. Was. Amazing.

The end. :)

Hope...

2010-10-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know why but I was looking back on my blog and read this post - from right after the new year.

and it became entirely evident that I have not made any progress.

OK so that's not exactly true - but during the moments when I begin to worry entirely too much it feels like I'm 15, 18, 21 again - and haven't learned a thing.

Deep down I know that I have, I know that I have come a long way from who I used to be

more mature

more aware

more wise

And then there are times, times that seem much more vivid in my mind than those where I have felt solace, that I feel like I have actually taken 10 steps backwards.

I feel lost

I feel uncertain

I feel aching.

And as I look back on those two conflicting thoughts, and the many experiences that go along with them, I'm grateful

for the contrast of happiness and sorrow

because I find my happiness great outshines the darkness of uncertain times

Though sometimes I may not notice until after

after too many tears have been spilt

and my eyes are a little too puffy

after I have felt empty for no reason at all

I do finally notice the difference.

and it gives me hope.

Hope in uncertainty - my 15, 18, 21 year old selves would laugh at the 23 year old me for even thinking that

{23 and 8 months, as Morgan would remind me}

but I know its true.

However uncertain the future is

However overwhelming it seems

and however incapable I feel

I know there is hope. for me. for Morgan and I {for us} to be

indescribably happy.

together.

I may have to remind myself every day - every hour -

whatever it takes

but truth has a way of changing someone for the better...

over time of course

And this hope, this faith in the future, is so amazingly true.

I do

2010-10-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, Morgan and I were able to attend one of my coworkers wedding.

It took place in a beautiful chapel, made entirely of just glass and wood {ok and stone and nails and steel too}, located in the middle of Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, AR. {yes, Arkansas can be pretty - I can't believe it either} and it was incredibly breathtaking.

The happiness and love they had was bursting, and I loved every single second of it.

{I even cried a little, big surprise}

Morg and I snapped a few pictures in the gardens before we left to go to the reception since we had some extra time. The weather was gorgeous.

The reception was held at Union Station in Little Rock - and it was also incredibly gorgeous.

Though Morgan thought the vases looked a lot like drinking glasses.....

Sometimes we clean up nice ;-) It was a great way to spend our Saturday, watching two lovely people join together - and hanging out with all my coworkers outside of work is fun too. :)

Date Night

2010-10-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Morg and I make a point to have date night every weekend - Friday or Saturday night - or sometimes Thursday if either one of us is going to be traveling during the weekend.

This week I was in Arkadelphia, AR for work {never heard of it? I hadn't either before I had to} and so I was especially looking forward to this date night :)

We usually have a running {mental} list of places we want to try, or things we want to do - so this week we decided to try this little italian grill {Ciao Bella} next to our favorite frozen yogurt place: YoLo. Let me tell you - the italian grub was delish - but that YoLo gets me everytime.

And according to my Grandma Ellis...

"No matter how full you are you always have room for pudding and icecream."

Even though this isn't icecream, or pudding. I think it still applies.

Of course I didn't get pictures of us before during or after dinner - but this is what matters anyways right?

Enjoying ourselves and enjoying our dessert! = perfect date night!

10 things that make my happy

2010-09-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

also, 10 things that happened over Labor Day weekend.
as described in pictures {of course}

10.

Visiting my family. Sitting on my porch. Drinking in the sunshine.

9.

Skipping lines to leave rides
and instead being lifted over the fence by uber strong uncle morgan.

 8.

watching my nephew tie his shoelaces. very distractedly.

 7.

funnel cakes at the fair.

 6.

taking a break from the heat/people watching/eating aforementioned funnel cake

 5.

Strong men.
honest to goodness my nephew joshua made him do this. hilarious.

 4.

family!

 3.

morgan pretending to be Captain Morgan.

 2.

little boys "putting their hands up" on the "rollercoaster"

 1.

Luaus on {the day before} Labor Day

1 YEAR!

2010-09-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Morgan and I celebrated our {approximate} 1 year anniversary!

Why approximate, you ask? Well you see, we really don't have any idea when we started dating or when our first date was - we sort of had this seamless transition from friends to more-than-friends and couldn't really pin down an exact date. So about 6ish months ago we were chatting about this predicament and Morgface decided to just choose a date - we knew it was in about the middle of September and so Morg suggested the 11th. This was our {approximate} conversation:

M: how about the 11th?

J: of September? Are you kidding me?! Doesnt that seem a little blasphemous or irreverent?

M: no! I think that while the rest of the country is mourning about loss, we can remember and celebrate our love at the same time!

J: you are insane.

M: no I'm not, yadda yadda yadda

Either way - he won.

So on Saturday, September 11th 2010 we celebrated the wonderful year we spent together. We started it with a run in Shelby Farms that morning, and when he came to pick me up he had my first surprise of the day - Gigi cupcakes! - after our run I took Morg to get a hair cut at his {and mine} hairdresser, Fred. - Don't ask why he wanted this, he loves getting his hair cut. - We planned on having a picnic for lunch, but by then it was so incredibly hot that we went back to my apartment, opened all the windows and had one in my living room :) I got my second surprise then - Seinfeld Seasons 1 & 2! - Afterwards we got ready and headed to Barnes & Nobles so I could browse, read, and get new books while Morgan wrote his talk for church and did some hw for school. We left after awhile to get changed for dinner and Morgan picked me up and we headed downtown. He took me to Texas de Brazil and I was in food heaven for the next 2 hours :) - On the way home I got me third surprise - Arrested Development Season 2! [obviously he has a knack for knowing exactly what I want :)] - So we went back home, ate my delish cupcakes and watched many many episodes of AD :) a perrrfect day!

{p.s. he did get surprises too - I made him [aka us] a calendar and used pictures from every month we've been together - and then also helped with his trip to FL for his triathalon in October :)}

At Texas de Brazil

I was being ridiculous waiting for the timed camera - and he took a picture instead.

my beautiful/delish cupcakes from Gigi's

As I look back on the year that Morgan and I spent together, I know we are extremely lucky to have exponentially more ups than those inevitable downs. Not only have we both grown on an individual level - but we have grown together - closer, wiser, emotionally, spiritually. We've taught each other and reveled in each other's accomplishments. We've listened, we've talked, we've discussed. We learned to love deeper than either of us have before and in the midst of everything we've laughed and made jokes and surprised one another. Every day he has made me a happier person and every day I find a fall in love with him just a little more.

I'm so excited for another year that we have together and so many more to come.

10 things that make me happy

2010-08-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

as described in pictures [of course]

1. my love. on the lake. wearing goggles, having the cutest expression probably ever.
2. YoLo, my new fave place in memphis - with morg's mouth already stuffed with delishishness.

3. remembering my exact thoughts when morgan took this picture at the Shinedown concert. i won't share the thoughts, but you can use your imagination.

4. lovebirds.
and morg's mad picture taking skillz at the bird sancutary in the DR.

5. just. us.

6. capturing this moment in the DR, very accidentally.

7. hearing this woman, the future sister olenslager, be so excited about being called to serve on a full-time mish [yeah south dakota!]

8. kisses from my love on the fourth of ju-ly.

ok, kisses from him in general.

9. the temple.

10. my new running buddy. [us at one of my 5ks in June]

Adios, Memphis. Hola, Utah.

2010-07-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Today I'm headed to hook up with these beautiful ladies....

for 3 days full of laughter, smeeses, smiles, pictures, sleeping bags, stories, and love.

p.s. this was our happy 4th taking in summer at the redbirds game.

p.s.s. i miss him already.

p.s.s.s. my lovely, rachael, inspired me to start my own tumblr. so here it is... CLICK THIS!

mailbag

2010-06-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

dear thursday,
i'm glad you're here. especially when you're really my friday - it makes you even more sweeter.
love, sleepy girl who is tired of work this week

dear etsy, modcloth, and all other shopping websites,
i love you. my bank account doesn't. i'm trying to go... no i'm actually going... to the dominican republic in a month and you keep taking my money and sending me super cute stuff. its a love/hate relationship, but one of us has to initiate the break up. so hurry up and do it
love, addicted shopper of super adorable things

dear ZMA (aka zinc monomethionine aspartate),
thanks for helping me sleep better. even though you give me really crazy dreams (well more than my normal crazy dreams) i really love falling asleep fast, staying asleep, and waking up easy. oh, and the extra amount of energy and vitamins don't hurt either.
love, the girl who sleeps way better now.

dear twitter,
i think you are stupid. i'm pretty sure there is no real use to you, or the people that use you.
love, fb user

dear honey mustard,
thank you for tasting so freakin yummy with chicken tenders AND fries. its like you are the stand-in fry sauce for the south. i don't know what i would do without you - i'd have to eat something healthier or something
love, unhealthy eater julie

dear utah,
i don't really like you. but in 2 weeks i'm going to LOVE YOU. because i get to see my best friends in the whole wide world (minus my handsome morgman) and be reunited so wonderfully for 3 days. thanks for bringing us all together
love, the unusual mormon girl

dear memphis summer,
though you are stinkin hott and humid and ridiculous, you are kinda awesome. that is all.
love, a wanna be southern-ish girl

dear diet coke,
i have so much to say, but not enough time. you are awesome and i want you right now. thank you for only costing 65 cents instead of 75 like at the bank i was working at last week, you are a dollface. p.s. thanks for being my notsosecret treat, every day.
love, liquid heaven lover

dear morgan,
well you know.
love, me.

remember that little rant about etsy? well thats where morg and i got this. the whole inscription is "te sigo para siempre" which means "i'll be with you forever" i'm in love. with him, and this.

Muy Bueno

2010-06-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my 'Muy Bueno!" update!

First up: SAINT LOUEY!!

my handsome bf, though he has been to this lovely city before had never been to the arch, or up to the tippy top, so I so graciously let him take me up for the first time since my childhood. you're welcome Morg.

Oh, I mean, see? he looks so happy.

and ByTheWay have you noticed how freakin cute we are. because we are.

Segundo!

I ran the Harbortown 5k with some friends. 26.40. boo ya.

Meredith and I before the race that was so ridiculously hot and humid.

the love of my vida comes to lend his moral support every race I run :) yes. I know I'm lucky.

the memphis 3rd branch representin' harbortown! boo ya.

TRES:

I got a promotion!!! That's right. A year under my belt at the Federal Reserve has paid off (quite literally) and the coworks (thats slang for coworkers if you were wondering) went to go celebrar!

FOURTH!:

The Morgster and I set out on our first vacay of the summer by way of NC thanks to my brother (barely) graduating. No I have no pictures from that, yes it was ridiculously boring, and yes we peaced out and went to the beach the very next day. :)

ahhhh, summer.

my lobster and his shark.

remember how I said we're really cute? we'll we are. see?

Sometimes I don't sleep

2010-05-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, like tonight (I mean, like this morning) I don't go to sleep when I'm supposed to.

Ok it's not like I'm supposed to per se
I live alone and I don't have someone telling me to go to sleep
but let's say I don't even try to climb into bed and lay my pretty head on one of my billions of pillows and fall asleep when it is socially acceptable to do so.

Instead, I do some, or all, of the following:
* watch t.v. online (oh how I wish I still had DVR)
(and curse too much during ALL of the Grey's finale as I thoroughly freaked out - WHO SAW ANY OF THAT COMING?!?!)
* buy MC (Morgan Canfield. man I'm getting creative.) a present.
(for our, ahem, 9 month anniversary coming up. well that's my excuse anyways, I just like buying him things)
* buy me (that's Julie Bennett) a present.
(I like to make things fair. scratch that, I just wanted to buy something.)
* pay bills. yes. pay bills. ugh.
* facebook. duh, that's a given.
* avoid peeing.
(If anyone knows me they know how much I pee. They also know how much I think it is a waste of time. therefore: avoiding it.)
* blogstalk. a little something I like to call: wasting time.
* facials.
(when Morg opens the gym the next day {like tomorrow} he leaves to go sleepybye a little earlier...
so I like to slather honey and yogurt on my face and look like a monster. my face loves me for it.)

since all of those things have been done, I believe it might be time for me to hit the hay.

but before that, here's a gem from MC & I's trip to Ryan & Lara's wedding last weekend:
ok nite.

2010-05-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

dear life,

right now i really love you.

actually, right now my eyes are really heavy

and my brain is really slow moving

so right now you are a little bleary-eyed.

but other than that, you are awesome.

because i finally got to see my family

in my new stomping grounds

and show off my hotter than hott boyfriend

who i love more than a billion reeses cups

or a thousand peaunut butter and honey sandwiches

or 12 cases of diet coke

ok well more than anything really...

and my family got to see that love in person.

and see how wonderful he treats me

and really experience my happiness.

and its because you let me have amazing friends

that make me laugh until my back hurts

and i have to sit down to catch my breath

and its because you help me remember how important little adventures are

and enjoying the small things is like, the best thing ever.

like sunday night adventures with morgface

and being able to notice all those little things he does for me

and listen to story after wonderful story from his (dominican republic) mission

and begin again to get so giddy over planning

the amazing things we will do there in 2.5 months.

and though maybe my alarm clock didn't go off this morning,

life, i'm so effin happy that i can sit here and remember those

amazing moments

and revel in them again, and again.

love,

me.

Life = Hella Crazy = Hella Awesome.

2010-05-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

I don't use the word 'hella' in normal conversation, but for some reason I feel OK typing it and using it to try and describe my life at this point in time and the level of crazy and awesome it is at.

I can't begin to catch up, or fill in, or update at this point. But I can tell you what is coming up!

First - Morgan and I are going to see this bachelorette:

Become un-bacheloretted (word? yes) by this boy:

And we're really excited :)

Second - Morgan and I are going to drive (yes, you read that right. drive.) to NC to see my family

In particular, to see this little brother graduate from highschool (man I feel old):

Third - I'm going to have the first annual reunion with these girls in July:

And I couldn't be more thrilled :)

And Fourth - this couple is going to spend 10 days getting their tropical vacation on

on this island (just in case you don't recognize it, psh, its the Dominican Republic!!)

Phew. 4 trips. 4 months. I'm ready.

Green Slime Bread.

2010-04-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

So throughout our dating days - or as Morgan likes to call it "courting" - Morg has opened my eyes to a lot of things or just introduced me to things I never really saw myself doing - for example: Making (and eating) Zucchini Bread! It may seem small (and it is) but I can honestly say that I was perfectly content with never coming in contact with zucchini - let alone eating it. But alas, I have a boyfriend that loves everything food related - especially veggies. And when he found out I hated anything squash related he decided to broaden my horizons. So for date night we baked Zucchini Bread. I wish I would have taken a picture during - Morgan took the honors of grating the nasty green slimy zucchinis because well - he knew I wouldn't. And when we started putting everything together - well he had to finish it because I TRIED to touch it... but I could not through with it. The only thing that kept coming to my mind was that green slime from Nickelodeon that poured on all those kids during commericials and stuff. Well thankfulyl he powered through and finished the job - but I added my own touch: chocolate chips! :) I knew anything probably tasted good with those in them - and I was right. So to make this long story even longer: I loved it. So thankyou my love for helping me come outside my comfort zone :)

Oh another example of Morgan introducing me to new and amazing things I never thought I would do?? - We're going to the Dominican Republic in August for 10 days!!! Morgman served his mission there almost 2 1/2 years ago and well, I need a tropical vacation! We're really excited... to say the least.

What I'm up to...

2010-03-21T20:30:00.001-07:00

I'm missing this man in my life... and he only left 12 hours ago! ;-)

I've been in Chicago this past week for work - and will be for the next week too... So morgman came to visit for the weekend :)

Back to it for another long week - but atleast I have the memories of this weekend to daydream about :)

Things I Like

2010-03-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

So maybe I haven't been the best candidate for 'happy-go-lucky-ness' lately.
[ like the picture above, on New Year's Eve, where all we could
think about was being happy-go-lucky for the rest of the year! ]

I have been stressed about work. and life in general.

but excited too.

And well, Morgan has midterms this week and although I'm not in school anymore

it stresses me out to see him stressed out

[ love does weird things to you sometimes. ]

But last night as I took a run after work I looked at the sky

ya know the moment between the light blue and the dark grey after a long, rainy day

(I didn't mean for that to rhyme, promise)

well it made me happy.

and that made me think of so many other things that have made me happy in the past week,

and I thought 'I should write them down'

so I can remember, on the days that I am stressed or burnt out or 'down in the dumps'

that there are glimpses, even long, extended moments of happiness that occur.

Things that I've Liked (lately...)

That sky I was talking about. I was tired from work, I needed to fold my laundry, I needed to anything but be out there running. And then I looked at that clear, greyish blue sky and my mind got that much clearer.
Calls from Morgface when he is between classes. I know its cliche, but I can't explain the giddy, butterfly feeling I get when I look on my caller ID on my work phone and I see his number. It immediately brings a smile to my face. and then the greeting of various nonexistent people ("Hi, this is Dominoes with your anchovie order" or "Hi, this is your doctor calling, you have a minor problem") brings laughter. And then the recollection of crazy stories from our days so far not only make me laugh, but they make me even more grateful he is in my life.
Rachael's voicemail. So my best friend, Rachael, is notorious for breaking/losing/forgetting her cell phone, or just not answering it for various other reasons. This time though, she went to California and somehow, someway lost it. (I don't know the real reasoning yet - it's still lost) but I have called her a few times in the past few days to check the phone status, and since the phone has obviously died since being lost, it goes straight to voicemail. I guess I shouldn't like hearing her voicemail, I mean I would love to hear her real voice instead, but hearing that "Hi this is Rachael, call me back whenever you can" message as soon as I press talk just cracks me up. [BTW, I know you'll read this - love you Rach]
Talking to my parents. I've always been away from either set of my parents throughout my life - or all of them I guess when I was in college - so this whole living away from them thing isn't anything new, but keeping in touch with them has, for some reason, proved to be harder. I notice the times I do get the chance to sit and chat with them are very special to me. I got to do that last night.
Making things for other people. Since Morg is on his "I'm a bodybuilder diet" all the sweets I make, I now bring to the office. I love the people that I work with, though don't tell them that - they would make fun of me for it ;-) - and being able to show them that in any form makes me feel just a little bit more gracious towards them.

fill in the blank friday

2010-02-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

So I have approximately one! hour left at work for this week

and I'm so ready for it to be ZERO!

This week has been crazy/stressful/busy.

But I finally submitted my last assignment

(who has ever heard of taking a difficult exam and completing a bunch of assignments BEFORE going to a class??)

and my brain needs a break.

So again, I'm taking a breather, and filling in my own blanks...

{1.} When I'm nervous I get this weird butterfly/knot/nauseous feeling in my stomach. And I fidget like crazy.

[ One time when I was giving a speech in one of my classes in college a girl in the front row kept signaling me. I didn't know her that well, and I really didn't care why she was doing it at that moment, so I ignored it. Afterwards she came up to me and said that everyone could see me fidgeting with my skirt the whole time - which consisted of me pulling my almost-knee-length-skirt up and down - while I thought that was completely covered by the podium. Very nice, Julie, very nice. ]

{2.} My favorite item in my closet is my pair of Refuge dark blue skinny jeans.

[ They are comfy. They fit perfectly. They go with everything. And they are Morgan's fave too ;-) ]

{3.} Lighting my candles, turning off the lights, and laying on the couch talking to Morgman, is my favorite thing to do when I need to relax.

[ I don't get to relax a whole lot. And neither does Morg. And then obviously we don't get a lot of time to relax together. So when we do get the chance, its like - this big deal. Yeah, we're weird. ]

{4.} My favorite childhood memory is camping with my family.

[ Both sides of my family made it a point to have regular family trips, which I love and cherish, but for some reason the times that we went camping stand out in my mind the most. I think the fact that we spent every moment together - laughing, playing games, snuggling, making s'mores, and complaining about sleeping on the hard-as-a-rock ground - makes it that much more special. ]

{5.} Something you may not know about me is I'm not as outspoken as everyone thinks I am.

[ This is something that I have noticed about myself in the past 8 or 9 months, and I don't necessarily think it's a 'bad' or a ' good' change. I just think more before I talk. *gasp* ]

{6.} A true friend is someone who loves you even when you are being irrational and stupid. And who isn't afraid to tell you that.

[ I can't tell you how many times I have heard "Hey Julie, I love you. A lot. Like a fat kid loves cake. But woman, you are being stupid and irrational." and have been totally grateful for it ]

{7.} Something I hope people think of when they think of me is, "Man that girl is hilarious, she should do stand up, or come to my next party, or I want her to just be there tagging along all day so I could laugh and be happy"

[ hey, a girl can dream, yea? ]

Amigos

2010-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

When I first moved to Tennessee I didn't know anyone.

I mean I met my boss when I interviewed, but I don't call that 'knowing anyone'

I call that knowing the dude that determines your future

it doesn't count.

And I'll admit - I was scared. I never really dwelt on the fact I didn't know a soul, or the fact that I didn't really have the assurance I would meet people that would like me

(or actually, that I would like)

simply because I was more excited than I was scared.

I was starting a new chapter in my life that was

1) completely unexpected and therefore so totally not me and

2) I was so ready for it

and lucky for me I was raised to be somewhat *ahem* outgoing so the whole no-friend-thing wasn't at the top of of my list of scaries

(kind of like worries, but scaries)

Since I've moved to Memphis I've been able to meet so many amazing people and begin to create so many loving friendships.

Don't get me wrong, I still have those people that don't particularly like me

(or do I particularly like them in return)

but that is to be expected in all chapters of life, so -

come what may.

But I have been so fortunate to just be in the same room with some of these peeps, that it amazes me they want to actually ya know, hang out.

And then I have my sweet, sociable boyfriend that knows everyone.

and when I say everyone I mean everyone plus their mother, and cousins and ex best friends.

It's ridic.

But through him I have gotten to know his closest friends, and have gotten to know them and laugh with them and in the end know Morgan even better.

This past weekend was one of his strong-man friend(Will)'s 22nd birthday & we celebrated with him at Happy Mexican.

I was also able to meet his adorable fiance, who reminded me of my lovely sister that I miss terribly, and chat and just have a great time.

I'm so happy to be able to meet new people and share their celebrations with them, it makes me feel....

happy.

Any Stepbrothers fans? Morgman thought he was being clever with his 'pose'

I thought it was clever they all wore polo shirts.

Baby Will blowing out his candles

Mush

2010-02-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

I've never really considered myself super mushy or lovey dovey

I'm more of a joker, and I'll usually end up laughing in the middle of a sweet moment and totally "ruin" it.

but lucky for me I found a man who is exactly the same way. We enjoy a few mushy moments now and then - he is probably the most cheesy man I know, and I love it. but then we usually end up laughing and making fun of ourselves after wards.

its cute.

So this past week was Morgan's birthday. He turned the big two-four.
(which, if you have already forgotten, is one whole year older than me! yes!)

On Tuesdays we try to meet for dinner before going to institute, so this week, in honor of his big day, I let him choose... and of course he chose sushi! We went to his favorite place in Cordova, Osaka, and he loved it.

He taught me how to use my chopsticks and just to prove him wrong (he thought I would need a fork!) I used them the entire meal. boo ya.

Then the day of his birthday I had a little surprise planned for him.

He had to open the gym so that meant he had to be at work at 5 am. yuck! Since I knew that he would have already eaten breakfast, and his mom was making him a cake for that night, I decided to compromise and make him birthday cupcakes! and bring them to his work on the way to my work.

With a little help from his best friend that was also working at the same time, I got in the gym undetected and surprised the heck out of him :) Though I think that a got more than a few dirty looks carrying cupcakes across the gym floor.... ;-)

THEN! this weekend a bunch of our friends and us got together to go out for a little dinner and dancing. Even though it was supposed to be in honor of Valentine's Day, I still wanted to do a little something for Morgman's birthday since all his friends were there. It turned out it was my friend Jenn's sister's 27th birthday that week too so then I was sold.

I ordered a red velvet cake (per Valentine's Day) and made sure to personalize for both a boy and girl (hearts for Brittany and dumbbells for Morgan) and dropped it off that day before our reservation. Jenn picked up V-day and B-day balloons for the tables (Hibachi grill? yes please.) After they brought out our icecream, which came with the meal, a bunch of servers surrounded our tables and brought out the cake to sing to the 2 birthday peeps! Morgan and Brittany were so surprised and I was so happy! I love surprising other people! :)

After dinner it was back to the celebration of love so we went salsa dancing at the Rumba Room downtown with everyone. We were so full and tired by then that we didn't last long, but I'll take just one dance with him anytime, so any more than that and I'm golden :)

But wait, it doesn't end there...

since Valentine's Day, as we all know, was actually on Sunday I wasn't really expecting anything but making dinner with Morg and maybe watching a movie while he studied for his French test on Monday. (which we did both of those)

But yet again he went and surprised me - and yet again I fell just a little bit more in love :)

Best Birthday/Valentine's week ever.