Thursday, January 31, 2013

Marriage Advice?

I love the things people tell me about marriage.. Everyone's marriage is SO different so it's really hard to know which advice is good and what doesn't work for us.  For example, a piece of advice we have been told several times is "Never go to bed mad." That of course seems like a good idea, however, Anthany and I learned very early in our marriage that that advice does NOT work for us. When it's late and we are both tired, our arguments make no sense but we are both too grumpy to just let it go. We have found it's best for us if we both just shut up, roll over and sleep it off. Then, in the morning we can't even remember what we were arguing about and we aren't mad anymore. On the other hand, one piece of advice that works 100% for us is to "choose your battles wisely." We are so much happier when we both really try not to nitpick every problem and to just move forward. It also makes it so much easier to talk things out when there actually is a problem.
However, the absolute most common thing we are told is "You guys look too young to be married!" We get told that at least once a week and it drives me crazy! But the one thing so many people have told us that has been absolutely true [so far haha] is that "the first year of marriage is the hardest." To me, it always seemed like the first year of marriage would be a breeze. You are still in the honeymoon phase, everything is just new and fun, you are still so crazy about each other, ya know.. and while all of that is true, marriage is a huge adjustment that comes with a whole bunch of compromise. And now that we are coming up on our big one year anniversary, I can't believe the progress we have made. How much better we work together, how well we know the other person's needs, how much calmer we can solve problems, how easily we can forgive, it's so awesome. It's always going to be a work in progress, but I love how far we have come and I can't wait for the years ahead.
 I feel like I have said this one hundred times but I am so excited to be sealed to Anthany for all eternity so soon. I could not be more grateful for the gospel that makes us better in every aspect of our lives, especially our marriage. I'm just feeling blessed today. I love that even when things are hard and it feels like everything is stacking up against us, we can keep our positive outlook and Anthany helps me to just enjoy the journey and have fun together. I'm so excited that tomorrow is officially February and it is going to be such a fantastic month!
-Lindsay

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

New Jobs and Home Decor!

Let's see... what have we been up to?? Anthany has been out of school for like a month now so we have been spending TONS of time together which has been super fun. I won't know what to do with myself when he goes back to school tomorrow! Probably watch a ton of TV shows and craft. But I'm really excited for him cause he planned his schedule really smart so he will only have two days of classes, and two days of work a week so he will have plenty of time for homework, working out, gaming, and most importantly me :] He left his job at Enterprise so no more work at 7:00 in the morning, only having 3 green Enterprise polo shirts that constantly needed washed, or 30 hours of work on top of full time school. He just started his job on campus at the Rec Center working at the equipment desk which will be perfect! I'm excited for him.
I will start my new job February 12 which is kind of a ways off but the timing works out great. I will be working at Dillard's in the mall! I'm sure that's kind of confusing and weird since I'm a hairstylist but I'm so stinking excited about it! The company is awesome, the pay is great, and I'm excited to do something different! I really do love doing hair but I've found the salon environment is not for me. My dream is to have a salon in my house someday where I'm the boss doing my own thing and I don't have to deal with the drama. But that dream is gonna have to wait till I have my own house haha so until then I'm so excited for this new adventure and I know without a doubt that I'm doing the best thing for us right now. So that's that :]
The only other news is Anthany and I get sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple February 16th!!!! We are absolutely thrilled and really can't wait. Then he will officially be stuck with me for all of eternity :] Also.. Anthany applied to BYU-I so we are waiting to hear if he gets in. We are kind of just applying and seeing what happens and going from there... So it's possible we might be moving to Rexburg in a little while. Crazy how things change! But that's all the new exciting stuff! Here are a few pictures :]
Anthany REALLY wanted a new desk and chair for this semester. After he promised that it would significantly increase his school performance, I agreed. So we decided to check out DI just to see if there was anything and Anthany fell in love with this classy chair. Ten dollars later.. Anthany has an "office/mancave."
I was growing my bangs out.. but I decided to cut them haha. I guess that's what happens when I don't cut anybody's hair for a few weeks,  I have to cut my own haha. Anthany hates my straight across bangs cause he says they make me look like a twelve year old and he feels like a pedophile.. but hey what can you do? :]
I have been crafting up a storm lately with my friend, Jackie! I usually HATE crafting cause I'm not super good at it, and everyone's crafts always turn out better than me so then I feel inadequate and depressed. But the wreath was so easy it was hard to go wrong haha. We have been spending so much time with the Woods lately. Anthany gets along great with Nick and I get along even greater with Jackie so it's like a friendship made in heaven! I wish I had pictures of us with them so I could prove we actually do have friends... so I guess you are just gonna have to take my word for it and use your imagination to picture us hanging out with super fun, cool people and having a great time.
Or maybe this picture is proof? Unless you really just wanna doubt we have friends and just say I made both of these.. anyways haha Cute cookie sheet magnet boards! This project took a loooong time but I'm happy with how it turned out! And this project just set me on fire. Now all I want to do is craft. I think about crafting, pinterest crafting, dream about crafting, purchase supplies for crafting. I loooove it. My magnet board is on the right [if you can't tell by the last name on it].
I got Anthany that beanie for Christmas and now he rarely takes it off haha Over this break from school Anthany has reignited his love for gaming. He has been pretty obsessed. It's going to be tough for him adjusting back to life with less gaming when he starts school back up tomorrow.
My poor little apartment is finally coming together with some decorating! Pretty much all I asked for for Christmas was cute stuff to decorate my apartment and my family definitely delivered! My walls finally aren't so dull and white and empty anymore which I love! Right when I get this place exactly how I want it.. it's getting close to time to move out!
Anthany wanted to contribute his own personal style to our decorating. So this little section of our wall is his pride and joy. We can now officially represent Anthany's love for movies through decoration.
I finally got out the hot chocolate maker we got for Christmas last year [not sure why we have never used it?] and the hot chocolate is ten times better than when you make it yourself! I got to use it one time and then my sister tells me it got recalled and could give me lead poisoning or something... WHAT?? So I guess now I have to investigate that but it was sure fun while it lasted! And that mug my sweet baby sister gave me for Christmas and I LOVE it. I sent her this picture to show her my appreciation.
 So I guess that's all! Sorry for the HUGE post but once I get going I just can't stop! haha I hope everyone's 2013 is going great!
-Lindsay


Monday, January 14, 2013

New Beginnings

It's super late and I should definitely be asleep but my brain is going a million miles an hour, like it has been constantly for the last few weeks. So.. I started this blog with the intentions of posting hilarious and adorable stories and pictures of Anthany and I's marriage. And while all of that is really fun, I have found that I enjoy more looking back at my blog and seeing what we have been through and recalling the feelings I felt during those times. This blog is my journal, scrapbook, and family newsletter all in one. So I want to write about something I usually don't.
2013 has definitely had a rocky start for me. The new year started with me suddenly no longer working at Fantastic Sams and that really knocked me down. It came with alot of mixed feelings.. anger, confusion, relief, sadness, optimism, anxiety, frustration.. basically leaving me completely drained. Job hunting is so stressful and definitely has left me feeling discouraged. Probably my biggest struggle was that Anthany and I are so close to our temple date, why would everything fall apart now? I'm willing to admit this past year has been challenging. It is definitely not easy to be the couple that isn't married in the temple. With that title comes unfair judgements, embarrassment, discouragement, feeling like you don't belong or that you aren't good enough, and you can't help but feel like an outsider. However, the journey has also been incredible. Anthany and I have become so much closer and been able to establish a solid relationship built upon the love we both share for the gospel. I almost can't believe how far we have come and the improvements we continue to strive for. We absolutely can't wait to be sealed.
So back to my question.. Why is this happening now? When we are doing what we are supposed to? Shouldn't this next month be filled with nothing but blessings and joy? With everything we have been through preparing for this, couldn't the last little stretch just be easy? Of course, with my running background, I finally realized the last stretch is the hardest part of the race. The final stretch is what makes you or breaks you. The final stretch is where you have to push yourself with every little bit you have left so you can succeed. Nobody reaches their full potential by coasting to the finish line. Through all that I've come to realize, that this is happening because it's our final test to prove that we are ready for this huge step in our lives. I don't think it's for us to prove to our families or the bishop or even to Heavenly Father that we are ready, but to prove it to ourselves. So we can know without a doubt, that even though this crappy and unfair situation has come our way, we just have to trust in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We have to trust that he won't abandon us, that he knows the heartache we feel, and that if we do our part he will take care of us. And with that knowledge, all my negative emotions are gone and I can find peace. I think D&C 6:36 says it best "Look unto me in every thought: doubt not, fear not."
I am so thankful for how blessed Anthany and I truly are. I'm thankful for everyone that has supported us and helped us to get where we are today. I love the gospel so much and the good it continually does in my life. I truly hope all my friends and family can find that same joy in their own beliefs because it's amazing and life-changing. I'm sorry this post was so emotional and religious. The last thing I want to do is be preachy or make anyone uncomfortable. But I just felt like I needed to share my feelings and my struggle because maybe one of my friends is going through something similar and needs to hear it. Life is so good.
-Lindsay