Note to self

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

— Mother Teresa

Sometimes I think of all I lack - primarily not being able to have children. But then I look at this boy that is by my side day in and day out and feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I'm reminded that I need to be more patient and enjoy these moments with just the two of us. Our life is good, oh so good.

Lucky

Tyler is superstitious, which he gets from his Grandma. Today as he was getting ready to go take the GMAT he got dressed in his "lucky" shirt. Apparently this shirt has magical powers - he lands amazing skateboard tricks in it, scores high on tests, & the list goes on. I tried to get rid of this shirt when we were newly married because it's an eyesore. Faded, tattered, & has holes all over it. Let's just say that I won't ever make that mistake again - it was a very traumatic experience for us both.

I'm just grateful that he decided to wear a shirt over it. And it cracks me up that his fingers are crossed in this picture...didn't notice that until I uploaded it.

These are the jeans he wore.

And then the completely posed "studying" picture. I'm pretty sure he'd get into the Master's program at ASU without his "lucky" ensemble, but we're going with it. And I'm pretty sure he'll be wearing that shirt on important occasions throughout his life until it disentegrates. Then maybe I'll have to get him a rabbit foot for his keychain.

Bucket List

A few months ago I told Tyler that one of the things I wanted to do in my lifetime was see Elton John in concert. I grew up listening to his music and LOVE him! About 2 weeks later we found out that he was coming to Phoenix. We waited by our computer the day tickets went on sale and bought floor seats. I was a little worried that I would be disappointed because I was so excited, but it was even better than I expected.



Our seats were so amazing. We were so close to the stage & around all of the Elton fanatics - which was entertaining in and of itself.



I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this concert. In one word it was amazing! Tyler was a champ - he likes Elton John, but I LOVE him! He put up with me leaning over every few minutes throughout the concert saying things like, "I'm so happy!", "This is surreal", "I love him!". There were several times when I got teary eyed...don't judge me. And he stood proud by me even though I was covered in gold sequins. And that my friends, is true love.

Halloween

Tyler & I are big on Halloween. We dress up every year for a costume party and we always go as a couple. We've been a lot of things over the past few years - Mario & Luigi, Juno & Bleeker, Dog the Bounty Hunter & Beth, Michael Jackson & a little boy (this was before his death...R.I.P.), Nacho Libre & a nun, and this year we went as the Publisher's Clearing House guy & I was the winner. Tyler's grandparents are in their 80's and they still dress up every year for Halloween - we're going to try to do the same.

I feel like I need a censor for this one...yikes.

For the past 5 years we have been going to the same Halloween party that is so much fun. Our friends Mike & Leah always come up with something amazing & this year was no exception:

Legomen - zombie & zombie killer

Tyler's brother Chase & his wife Lauren came with us too. They dressed up as Kramer & Elaine from Seinfeld and it was perfect.

And we already have our costume idea for next Halloween...it's going to be good.

Arizona State Fair

Tyler & I have a tradition of going to the State Fair every year in October. We always make sure to go on a night when they're having the demolition derby. Slightly white-trash but we love it.

This is the ride that my brother Joseph tries to "tame" every year.

Tyler & Joseph on the Zipper before it takes off. Note the smiles on their faces.

And this is after the Zipper. This picture was taken after he repeatedly said, "I'm going to throw up". Poor guy broke his cell phone on the ride when it fell out of his pocket (I caught some of the flying pieces as I was taking pictures) and then he had to take a breather for a while. The following year he went back for more...and got sick again. Maybe next  year.

Good friends Mike & Leah

Mike with his giant plate of french fries (that probably weighed as much as a small child). Every year I get a funnel cake and this year Tyler & I tried a deep-fried Snicker's and Twinkie. I guess it's a good thing that we only go once a year.

Alyvia

This little girl likes to have sleepovers at our house.


I would like to think it's because we're such a fun aunt and uncle.

But I'm pretty sure it has more to do with this...

I'm going for it

I've been going back and forth with whether I want to get started on our nursery. I want it to be ready when our baby comes, but seeing as we don't know when that will be, I've been hesitant to buy anything or get set up. Will our hearts ache every time we walk past the room that's missing a baby? Will it only make our longing for children even deeper? Maybe that door will stay shut a little more often, but all in all I think it will be worth it to be ready. My mom gave me her rocking chair when we were first trying to get pregnant, and last year Tyler surprised me at Christmas by having it refinished and fixed up. It was totally unexpected and so thoughtful. He kept it at my parents' house so I wouldn't find it, and when we were over there opening presents with my family he brought it out. I cried.

This is the same rocking chair my mom rocked each of her babies in. I love things that are passed down that have meaning. The wood was originally a different color and the seat was broken so Tyler had it all redone. He was so worried that it wouldn't be just like I wanted, but it was perfect. By far one of the best gifts I've ever been given. We've had this chair for several years now, and when my mom first gave it to me I thought I would be rocking my own babies in it in no time at all. But I suppose life often has a way of surprising us. Every now and then I'll sit in it and think about my babies. I wish they'd stop taking so long to get here, but Tyler & I know that wanting something so badly will make it all the more precious when it does come.  

Me sitting in my new rocking chair at Christmas.

So I'm just going to do it. I'll start by painting and then next we'll buy a crib. And if I have to shut the door every now and then, that's okay. There will be a day when that door will be open, and I can't wait.

Seattle

Tyler & I just got back from a long weekend in Seattle. It was our first time visiting and we met my brother & his wife there. And I took a ton of pictures: 

I thought Tyler was always squinting in pictures because we live in a sunny state. But this picture in overcast weather proves otherwise. He can't help it, it's hereditary.

You get the point.

The giant Gum Wall. We added ours to the stinky wall and then passed around the Purell. Then we went to Pikes Market which was definitely my favorite.

Love this picture of him.

Space Needle

Tyler & I have a really bad habit of wearing matching outfits a lot. Whether it's the same color, stripes, etc. This is the usual conversation before we leave:

T: "One of us should probably change."

B: "Yeah, why don't you go put on something else."

T: "I really don't want to."

B: "I don't want to either."

T: "Let's go."

And occasionally someone will ask if we planned it. No, we can't help that we both have excellent taste.

Here we are on the duck tour. Which involved a tour of Seattle, a bus that turned into a boat and went in a lake, and a lot of quacking. Pretty sure we shouldn't have enjoyed this as much as we did.

San Juan Islands

Snoqualmie Falls

We loved Seattle!