Some Tall Trees...

I've been thinking about this a lot lately... God created some beautiful things here on Earth. Every time I see mountains, rivers, oceans, lakes, trees, canyons, waterfalls, etc. I can't help but feel happiness inside. If this is just the "Telestial" or "Terrestrial" World, I can't wait to see what the Celestial Kingdom looks like, I can only imagine!

Anyway, Dee & I had the opportunity to visit my Dad, my step mom, & my brothers & sisters in California at the end of May. Before going & seeing them, Dee & I decided that we wanted to go to  Sequioa National Park since we knew we probably wouldn't get to do that many fun things this summer. (Dee is taking a summer class). It was a neat experience. The trees were unbelievably HUGE & TALL! It's also crazy to think that these Sequioa Trees only grow in one place. It just blows my mind (again) how beautiful this Earth is! Here are some pictures from our Trip:

 Before we started the hike to the Big General Sherman Tree.

 

Dee next to the General Sherman Tree (:

Us next to the General Sherman Tree!(:

The beautiful view when we were leaving the National Park.

So beautiful!! I cannot wait to go back. Also I cannot wait to see the Redwood trees! That will be fun!

Next Dee & I went to Monterey Bay! Neither of us had been there before so we decided that we would go see the ocean & go to the Aquarium.The Aquarium was kind of a disappointment... just like the San Diego Zoo. People always talk about how amazing the San Diego Zoo is.. or how amazing the Monterey Bay Aquarium is.. They AREN'T that amazing. Sorry. I mean if I had gone in thinking it was going to suck, then I probably would have thought it was amazing. (both the Zoo & the aquarium... I mean the San Francisco Zoo was TEN times better than the San Diego Zoo in my opinion). Idk. It just was not organized & it was completely confusing. I would have liked to see A LOT more animals then fake stuffed animals. So stupid. Well I mean we did have a good time because we were together & it is always cool to see new things. Here are some pictures:

Jelly Fish!

Then we went on the 17 mile drive at Pebble Beach together.. Advice.. don't go on this drive at night, it is kind of boring, it has pretty sights & stuff, but its boring & it was FREEZING.

 We stayed the night in Monterey & in the morning we headed to Oakland. When Dee & I first got married we decided right away that we would attend the temple weekly. This is random & off topic, but we recently just realized that because we went to the temple weekly, we strengthened our marriage, we avoided MANY fights & we realized why we had such an amazing first year. It's because we went to the temple weekly. A lot of married couples would ask us if we "had a rough first year", or if we "argued a lot", or they would ask "do you guys get along pretty good?" It was always funny hearing those things because we always answered No we had a very good first year, or we rarely argue, or we get along really well. (We still wouldn't say that we have even had a "major" fight yet). Then they would proceed to tell us they had a rough year, or they argued a lot, or that they just didn't agree on a lot of things , & they would say that the first year was hard. It always made me wonder why those things didn't happen to us. I just always liked to think that we were a perfect couple.. but no. haha The temple was the reason those things didn't happen to us. I'm so thankful we decided that we would always try to attend the temple weekly. It has been a blessing in our lives. Sure we have missed a week or two.. we are not perfect. But we at least try.

So anyway back to the topic. Since we decided we would attend the temple weekly, that also included if we went out of town. So since we were out of town we went to the Oakland temple. It is such a beautiful temple! (But which one isn't? ha). Here are some pictures:

I'm so happy that we get to go & see other temples. It always reminds me that the church is true everywhere. It is exactly the same in California, Utah, Mexico, etc! It doesn't change. We are lead by a true prophet of God, & true leaders of God. I am so happy to be a part of this Church! (If you do not know what "Church" I am talking about.. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!)

After the Temple we decided we would stop in San Fran, since Dee has basically never been. (When I say basically he really hasn't been, he went through San Fran last time we went to Cali.. but I feel like that doesn't count). We went shopping, we went to Pier 39, & Dee got to go over the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time. (Next time we will walk on it!) Here are some pictures:

Us at Pier 39. (:

We got to try some crazy good clam Chowder!! YUM! (:

The Sea Lions! (:

We were lucky because it was actually a clear day in San Fran. So we could see the Golden Gate bridge pretty clearly from Pier 39! You can't really tell in the picture.. but it's there. haha

The Golden Gate Bridge. So amazing to see in real life. I was glad Dee got to see it for the first time!(:
That ended our San Fran trip, & we were stuck in traffic for a million hours. haha (we went memorial weekend, Thursday-Monday).

When we got to my Dad's the kids had all went over to my Aunt Kristie's. It was a nice trip, but I do wish we would have been able to see the kids a lot more. I understand that the kids wanted to see their cousins... But still it would have been nice. I miss them daily... we are going to my mom's this summer. It wasn't the plan, but since we didn't really get to see the kids a whole lot we decided that we probably should make the trip there. Otherwise we might not get to see them until December, or next summer.

 Well that is all from our California Trip.

We have made a few other trips in June though. & Since this post is sort of about how beautiful the Earth is & spending time with family... I think it'll be fitting to share. (:

Dee & I had an opportunity to go to Zion. We both were off so I felt like it would be nice for us to just get away. We got there & did a hike. It was HOT! It was hot while we did the hike, it was HOT pretty much at night in our tent, & it was HOT in the morning. I do not think we will be going to Zion again until maybe September. haha but it was still fun. Here are some pictures:

Zion is SO beautiful! I am so glad we live pretty close to it.

Then June 21, Dee & I went up to Bryce Canyon for Dee's Family Reunion! Bryce Canyon is BEAUTIFUL! I was so glad I was able to experience it! We went on a hike with Dee's uncles. Sometimes while I'm hiking I wonder why I do it. But whenever there are pretty views at the end of the hike or during the hike, I realize that is why. I love seeing the beautiful things God created! Also I love spending time with my hubby, & getting some good exercise in! Here are some pictures:

Well that is all for now!

One Happy Year!

As most of you know.. today is Dee & my one year anniversary! (June 2, 2012) Honestly I cannot believe it has been a year since we were married! It kind of just crept up on us. It just doesn't feel like it has been a year yet. It still feels like we got married yesterday. BUT we have had a wonderful first year together. Dee & I get along really well & we have fun together. In other words.. I married my very best friend, & I'm happy to say I get to be with him for all of time & eternity. I am a lucky lucky wife!! (:

So I just wanted to write 10 things I learned this first year of being married:

1. Usually if we are arguing... it's because we haven't gone to the temple that week, read our scriptures together, or we stop doing what we need to be doing. What I have realized (even more now that I am married) Temple marriage strengthens your marriage... Going to church together, attending the temple together regularly, & reading the scriptures together strengthens your marriage & brings you closer together. I am so happy to have the knowledge that I have. Marriage is hard... & without those things, I cannot imagine how much harder it must be.

2. My way isn't the only way... I think a lot of people can relate (who are married) that when you get married everything comes out. Little things that you hadn't known when you were dating will come out sometime during your marriage & you will learn to deal with it, or compromise. For example, in the beginning of our marriage I would just set my purse, or a book or something on the bed. It would irritate Dee because he couldn't stand having things on the bed. So throughout the first year I had to learn to not put things on the bed.

3. When we get into arguments, they're usually the most stupidest things ever. & I've realized that if it goes on for longer than 5 minutes, it's because I know I'm wrong & I am being prideful & won't admit I'm wrong. I have a sticky note with advice that someone wrote at our wedding on our bathroom mirror. It reads "admit you are wrong before trying to prove you're right first". It is so true. A lot of times I won't humble myself & say hey I was wrong I am sorry. I try to prove that I am right. & looking back none of it even matters, so I need to work on admitting I am wrong first. I try, but I am not always the best at it.

4. Doing things together is a lot of fun. Doing the dishes together is actually fun. It seems like it wouldn't be... But it is. Just being with Dee makes me happy. I've heard that a lot of people say after you get married you need "your" time A LOT! No.. I rather be with Dee every second of my life. & I'm thinking that is a good thing because I'm married to him for eternity, so I get to be with him for a lot longer than "every second". Yeah we have been married only one year.. but I just cannot imagine wanting to be away from Dee. Sure we need like a few seconds to just have our time... but not long periods of time.

5. I've realized that marriage isn't what you think it will be. You think you can just plan everything out. You think "oh I'm not ready for this, so we are going to wait" or you think you know how it'll be.. but you can't plan things, I've realized when are you ready for anything? How do you decide when you're "ready for something?" I've realized more than anything recently that I need to council with the lord before I decide anything. How can I decide that I'm not ready, if He knows when I'm ready for things better than I do? How can I make these big decisions without Him? He knows all things.. so what's better than asking him what I should do. I know the answer, we are afraid of the answer we will get so we decide that if we don't ask then we don't have to feel bad if we aren't doing what we should do. Like Multiplying & replenishing the earth... A lot of us decide "I'm not ready" or "I'm going to wait until I graduate college" or we think of a million excuses why we should wait... but If I have learned anything... it's the lord will strengthen us, provide for us, & guide us if we follow His commandments. I'm not saying anyone is in the wrong.. because I understand we all have our agency & we know what is best for us. & I know some of us pray for things & get different answers than others do. But I've been blessed to much not to ask the lord what I should & shouldn't do. So I guess all that I am saying is I've learned to lean on my Heavenly father, & savior Jesus Christ a lot more.

6. Trials can either bring you closer, or bring you apart... But you ultimately have to choice. If you want to stay close, you will work hard to come together... & if you don't care you will have a harder time. I've realized this from the trails Dee & I have had this year. But I feel like we have grown so much closer because of them.

7. Communication is one of the BIGGEST thing in a relationship. I've always known that... but I've realized that it's hard to communicate sometimes. Sometimes I just feel like everyone can just read my mind.. But really no one can. So I've realized I need to speak up a lot more. 

8. I've realized I am a brat. I can honestly say I didn't know I was until I was married. & Yes I realized that right away. I like to to get what I want.. But who doesn't? haha It's been hard knowing that I am a brat.. but I think I've been working on it & I've gotten a lot better I would say. Also You realize other things about yourself... which is a good thing, because now I want to try to be a better person.

9. Two is better than one. Being Married is seriously the best thing EVER! I know Hollywood portrays marriage as a tie-me-down kind of thing.. but It's actually the best thing that will ever happen to you, as long as you're married to your best friend. I've realized I'm a better person when I'm not alone. I have more insight on things now, & I don't have to make every decision alone & a lot of other things. I love being married!

10. I am married to the best man in the world. You might disagree because "you're married to the best man in the world" but you aren't, because I am. He is the best man in the world because he always caters to my needs. He knows me, he loves me, not only does say it to me everyday, he shows me by proving it to me constantly! He has been my shoulder to cry on, he always has an open ear to let me vent about everything, he puts up with my bratiness.. He is the best husband in the world. He loves me & I love him. Knowing he loves me makes me the happiest girl alive.

Here are some pictures from this past year. I wanted to write about our wedding day but it is kind of hard to write about such an amazing day. I would want to write about every detail & that would take such a very long time. So I will just post pictures.
(pictures by Belle Reve Photography.. Except the last one of Dee & I, that's a picture my uncle Greg took).

What an amazing day. It was one of the best days of my life & like I said I cannot believe it has been a year!! haha before I know it it'll be  10 years.. or 20 years. 

Here is the video of Dee & my first dance together as a married couple:

My uncle Greg recorded it!

For our anniversary we went to Vegas. We decided to go last minute. It was definitely a nice getaway. We stayed at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. It was actually a really really really nice hotel. It was probably as big as our apartment... maybe even bigger. haha Here are some pictures from our anniversary:

The beautiful temple where we got married! (: To end our night we went on a walk around the temple grounds. We took a picture of us in front of the doors we walked out of after we were married! Aww!
Like I said Dee & I had a wonderful first year together. I can't wait for the many other years to come!

I LOVE YOU DEE! Happy one year anniversary! (:

That's all for now!