As of lately

Look at this new toy! Paul and I have been talking about getting a camera for a long time. We finally did our research and got a really good deal on this guy. We having so much fun playing around with this. Definitely taking some getting used to but the pictures are so much better than those blurry I phone pics. 

 I am so puppy hungry. Not baby hungry.  PUPPY HUNGRY. I want a pup sooo bad. Of course I have my Molly dog at the parents house (oh do I love her so) but she is just a little nut case. I could never have her in an apartment. I dunno what it is but I have the extremely soft spot in my heart for all fluffy living things. Like, even a picture on facebook will get me "awww"ing and "oooo"ing. I make Paul take me to the local animal shelter every week to see and play with the doggies so that makes me happy.

 Speaking of soft spots.. this little boy has me wrapped around his tiny little greasy finger. I always look forward to my Mondays and Fridays where I can go to my sisters house and tend this boy and his little sister. Seriously. The cutest kids alive. 

Matilda, our pet scorpion, died a couple weeks ago. Those little pinchers.. they will be missed. kinda. But props to this little insect for living in a piece of tape for 2 months while transferring her from Arizona to Idaho (I'll have to tell that story another time).

We've been working hard at our baking skills. Especially muffins that come out of a box. See those cupcake holders? They aren't just an old cupcake holders. They are made of silicone which makes them reusable. Saving trees one cupcake at a time. 

 Seven month everyone. SEVEN months! I can't believe it. Time just needs to sllloowww the heck down. It's been the best seven months of my life though. Really. 

Being married is hard

When I was engaged my parents warned me that being married is more than hard. They told me there would be difficult times and difficult situations that will arise. They counseled with me that it will be hard not to want to call home when feeling discouraged. I listened to their council and advice but I didn’t grasp it fully. How is it THAT hard? It shouldn’t be hard when two people love each other so much. Especially for Paul and I. 

Now that I'm actually married I see these difficult situations are common. Last night as I and my sweet heart held each other tight and cried ourselves to sleep, I thought for the first time.. Marriage is hard. Just like my parents told me. It had been a day full of hard and unexpected events and I finally realized what they had been telling me. Marriage is not hard in a way where Paul and I disagree every moment of the day. Its not hard in the way where we are letting differences over come our love. I just mean that marriage is hard because suddenly, we are now relying on each other to survive in this crazy mess of a world. This means getting and maintaining a good job, getting through school, raising a family.. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.. especially when some of these things just don’t work out for the time being. 

 I asked Paul “why does this crap happen to us? We have the worst luck. The world is seriously out to get us.” Sometimes I don’t think Paul listens very carefully because he usually will sit there quietly after I have  unleashed all my stress and anger and I’m left feeling a bit hopeless with my self pity. But I’ve noticed, he always answers me back. Even if it’s thirty minutes or even an hour after my rant. This time he answered with a very sweet and comforting answer that calmed my soul. He suggested that we look at it in a different light. Every other couple in this world is going through these same challenges and more. We aren't the only ones and to be quite frank, we have it pretty good. Then he said, "we need to go to the temple." I know that being married is hard. It comes with challenges but every obstacle is worth it when my honey and I do it together. 

No Heat November

Alright, this is pretty much a post for myself than anything else. The truth is.. I want long hair. I want this main down to my hips. Not only long hair down to my hips but healthy, hair down to my hips. Shiny, healthy, long, and beautiful. Is that too much to ask for? I know it's my fault though that my want need has not been met. Since middle school I have abused my head with blow dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. I remember nights when I would be bored and I would wash and curly my hair.. just for fun. What was I thinking? I'm a bit better these days but I'm not as good to my hair as I should be. A few months ago I decided I would make a change. A few changes actually. These changes did not happen over night though. It's taken a while and I'm still working on good healthy hair habits. Anyways here are a few things I've been doing lately.

First things first. Washing of the locks. A while back I couldn't go a day without washing my hair. My second day hair was a big ball of grease. I have gradually taught my hair to not get so oily by going longer and longer without washing my hair. Now I can go about four or five days without washing it. Now when I actually do wash it I make sure my shampoo is absolutely sulfate free. Hairdressers have actually debated with me on if this is actually a myth or not. I don't trust most hairdressers anyways so I'll definitely go with my own belief. Sulfate free shampoo is the only way to go.

Products I have been using to maintain my hair include Moroccan Oil, It's a 10 leave in conditioner, and Tresemme leave in heat protectant. These three lovelies save my ends. I have also learned that not only is the product I put on my hair important but what I intake is equally important. I can tell a difference in my hair when I eat healthy meals than if I consume an entire package of ELFudges. Vitamins are important as well. I take fish oil in a pill form every single day.

Last thing. And this is actually my goal for this month. I'm gonna call it (for my own enjoyment) "No heat November." I am chucking that moisture sucking blow dryer and straightener (into the bottom drawer, that is) and letting my natural locks be. I know that I will most likely cheat and pull that curling iron out on some days.. like Sunday. I really cannot have my bishop think I'm just another mangy hipster. But I will do my very best and I know I will see improvement in my hair growth. Can't wait!

Above are some pics from just this past week with my no heat hairs. Braids will be my best friend.

On to November

I'm relieved it's November. October was just.. weird. Before I was married (to the most amazing man on earth by the way) I LOVED everything scary. The movies, haunted houses, guys with chain saws.. the whole halloween deal. This year I, being a married gal, wanted nothing to do with this crap. I think the only scary movie I enjoyed was Frankenweenie. Even Hocus Pocus and The Witches were a bit much for my sensitive mind. What happened to me? I dunno but I kind of like it.

Now that October is out of the way, I can focus on the good this time of year has to offer. Thanksgiving? No promises that I will restrain myself from eating a whole pumpkin pie. Piles and Piles of Sweaters? You are my best friend. Mother Nature? Your a gonner with this Rexburg forecast.. bring on the snow! A freezing cold husband? mmmm lots of snuggles.

Speaking of the husband. He finally got his shawl collar cardigan that he has been wanting since the 70s. I wanted to document this grand day for him. So classy my baby.