Life As We Know It

So we have this really cute dog, and I take pictures of her like she's a human child. I'm not ashamed, but Brannan thinks I'm pretty dorky for it :) This pup has been in our family for a month now, and I can't even remember what it was like NOT having her. She's so much a part of our lives that it's hard leaving her at home when we go anywhere. She's good practice I suppose for when a human child comes along ;) So anyways, I thought I'd share these pictures of her b/c it's human nature to share your joy with others so that they might also come to know that same joy.

Next, I'm proud to annouce that Brannan and I finally bought a new washer today. And not just "new to us", but BRAND NEW!! On top of that, it was 40% off for the Black Friday Sale, so we saved a total of 250 bucks! We'll get it next week, and I can't flipping wait! The one we have now was given to us for free, and well...I think we should have been given money for even taking that piece of crap! It will be nice to not just get the stink off, but also have it still smell like detergent :) Ok that makes us sound white trash, but there it is lol.

I wouldn't be a naggy wife if I didn't mention Brannan's new video game habits. He's been playing Skyrim every spare minute, so that left me with nothing to do but mope around. I came to terms with it, and bought some crafty things to do, b/c I realized without Brannan, I'll either sit on the couch and do nothing, or sleep. I got some yarn and a loom to make some fun stuff. I'm almost done with my scarf, but plan to make pot holders and baby blankets too. I've also been working on making block letters of our last name by modge podging scrapbook paper to the fronts of the letters and sanding the edges so they look worn and antique. The scrapbook paper is so cute! It's got the theme of roses, keys, aged paper, and old stamps. That's a pretty lame sounding description, but it's really cute I promise! They'll be going above my kitchen window, and I'll take a picture when I'm done!  

Princess Fiona

Ok, so Brannan won about 6.5 billion brownie points last night when he decided I could have a puppy. We picked her out online, picked her up, and now she's all settled in at her new house :) She's almost 4 months old, pure bred, playful, cuddley, doesn't bark (unless Brannan comes downstairs in a towel...true story), doesn't shed, doesn't bite (hard), hates the cold, and LOVES her squeeky duck (Ducky). I didn't think Brannan would ever let me have a dog, just because he doesn't care for them so much. When he randomly said we could have one, I about had a fit. When I saw her in person, I did have a fit. She's adorable! I tried to get some good pictures, but she was being a spaz...so here's our newest addition, Princess Fiona!

New News

So recently, a lot has happened! Now that I've got those stupid nails off, I can type properly, and shouldn't have a problem blabbing my mouth off.

For starters, the big day went really well with the help of my family and friends. I couldn't have done it without them, and I'm so glad that it's over! The stress is gone, and I had a wonderful time at the temple! Brannan and I are now sealed forever, and it's amazing how tangible it feels. The difference feels strong. I love it! My mom, sister, and friend Emily deserve a shout out for all the amazing things they did in preparation. I wasn't the easiest person to be around, so I know they love me for putting up with my attitude. Thanks guys! Brannan tolerated my endless stressing, so I am glad he can put up with me too :) Love that guy :) After all the fuss ended, we all loaded up and went to Idaho to hang with more family. On the way home, I got a ticket for speeding...bummer! Brannan and I jammed out on the way home to Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack...I'm so glad he's mine...he's pretty awesome!

Last Saturday, I went skydiving out of the blue. It's always been one of my goals in life to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but I figured it would be later on...Brannan just casually asked if I wanted to that Saturday, and I just as casually said, "Sure." I didn't freak out till everyone ahead of me was jumping out...If I didn't have a guy strapped to my back dragging me to my certain heart attack, I wouldn't have gotten the rush I had free falling at 13000 feet. I definitely recommend it!

Today on the way home from work, we had a flat tire. We were going 85 mph...good thing I had two strong men with me, or I would still be out there changing that tire! Dumb.

Now for some pictures :)

Pictures of skydiving by: Brannan Ekins
Pictures of Sealing Day by: Amanda Pendley

The Big Day

Brannan and I are going through the temple next week. I never thought I'd be able to say that 2 years ago, but now it's really happening. Marriage is a lot harder than I thought, but it's also very worth the effort. Knowing that the first year is the hardest helps me see that eternity is a little less undaunting. Now that we've learned to be a little less selfish, and put one another first before ourselves, our lives have been as easy as breathing. There are still bumps along the road, but at least now we aren't the ones causing the obstacles! I am truely grateful for my dear husband, and his love for me. Nothing says it better than coming home to the dishes done, and the house in order. I am so glad he picked me and put up with me over this past year. I love him so much! I could go on, but I got my nails done and can't type near as fast and accurately as I'd like. It's making me pretty mad, so just know that we're in love, and are excited for eternity together!

Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cheese Cake

It was a bit rich, but it was good!

I've decided that I have too much stuff to write about, so I'm going to pick random pictures and tell stories that way. This picture was taken on the 1st of May, 2010. I remember that date because it was the beginning of my self changing. My caterpillar days you could say. I had just gotten through an awful relationship with an awful person. I wanted to be different, and so I started. It was slow going at first, but I didn't give up. My mom was a huge influence for good, as were my siblings. I swear I got a call at least once a day from one of them, giving me encouragement and hope. At the time, I didn't want to hear anything about church stuff because I was so overwhelmed with how much changing I had to do, but I eventually got over that, and started asking my Heavenly Father for help. At this point I was in my cocoon. Then something amazing happened that I didn't know was happening until after the fact. Help came. I was given a friend of common faith. Someone I looked up to. Someone that helped me through so many adversities into the light. He didn't even know it at the time, but he rescued me from the darkness. He was and still is my idol. I still can't believe it sometimes. That I actually married my personal savior. I still have to check myself for dreaming. I guess my reality is finally better than a dream now. So, for those that find life unbearable, don't stop hoping and dreaming, and striving for what you want. Never, would I have imagined when this picture was taken, that a little over a year later, I would be sitting here on my own couch, in my own house, married to the man of my dreams, writing a blog (of all things) and feeling so happy I could implode. In life, we fall down. It's what we do when we get up that's important. Now, I'm just busy being the beautiful butterfly I was meant to be.

Rainbow

It rained a few days ago, and this is what I saw when I looked out my front door. If you look closely, you'll see not only one rainbow, but a double! What a beautiful world we live in!

Brannan and Josh's baby

He looks good holding a baby....NOT helping my baby hunger! Ok so I made him hold him and took a picture...I'm totally guilty!

New Entertainment Center

My New Blog

So, I decided, finally, to start a blog. It's the easiest way for me to share my life in a non-facebook kind of way. To start off, I'd like to blog about my wonderful life here in Grantsville. We just bought a house in May, and now all of our money goes to either the bills, or improving our little home. Today, Brannan and I went to a yard sale and bought a super nice dresser and entertainment center. The entertainment center alone was worth 1,800 dollars! We got it for 350 :) Both pieces match the house perfectly and are in perfect condition.

Up until June, I was working at Soelburg's grocery store. I am now a janitor at a titanium plant in the middle of nowhere. All I'm going to say is that I like my new job better. It's not quite the toilet cleaning that does it for me so much as the benefits and pay.

So the other day, we had to call the cops because our neighbors that moved out had been coming back and squatting in the vacant house next door. They're pretty creepy people. When they still lived there, Brannan and I could hear the guy screaming at the woman with very colorful word choice. Let's just leave it at the joy we feel for them leaving.

Brannan is currently working on turning the workshop behind the garage into a gym area. We bought a really nice weight system for dirt cheap, so now all we need to do is put a nice room around it :) I'm glad I have such a handy man who knows how to fix things...and can also admit it and call someone when he doesn't.

My next project is turning my baby yellow living room into a luscious deep red/maroon. This whole house needs a color update! My kitchen is literally all blue. My bathroom is literally all blue (including toilet, sink, and bath tub). My bedroom is the same country blue. I'll be happier when it's either tan, green, or deep red!

Well this has been fun. I'll see what I can't do about pictures for next time. I have a husband that needs root beer, so it's goodbye for now.