There's no place like home

Okay so apparently I'm really bad at updating this blog. Sometimes it just takes so much to write! Also I've been pretty philosophical lately so I apologize if it appears that way in the post. The philosophical me generally comes out when I'm about to fall asleep which frustrates Jason to no end so maybe I've just been really tired the last couple days...Anyway, this last week I went to Utah to visit my brother before he left on his mission and it was wonderful. First of all I'm so proud of my brother who will be serving in Hungary Budapest for the next two years! It was hard to say goodbye to him but ironically I think I will actually hear more from him now that he's gone. I already wrote him his first letter so who's the best sister ever?

As hard as it was to leave Stephen it was even harder to leave Utah. It was a good thing Jason had to stay in Boston for school because otherwise I might not have come back. With Jason being here in Boston it was so weird to fly into Utah. When I landed I felt like I was torn between two places but neither place really claimed me as home anymore. It's so strange to visit Utah instead of fly home to Utah. Before, my family and my home have always coincided and now they are separating and I kind of went to panic mode when I had to fly back to Boston. Utah represents everything comfortable and everything I've ever known. You people who live there have no idea how nice it is to be able to talk to someone while you're driving because driving is easy, or how nice it is to lay on the floor because there's carpet, or how lovely it is to grocery shop because you can park and there are no people. Then of course there's the perks of being close to mom which includes a full fridge of delicious food that I haven't had in forever, my hair dresser that I love, my beloved piano and a treadmill, a sister and mom to shop with, family and friends, basically everything that makes me happy, all in one place except for one. Jason was really close to being outnumbered. He still won though so no worries there. When I flew back to Boston I felt like I was sacrificing everything for what? Doing something hard so I can, oh I don't know, grow into a better person I guess. After being back for a few days I'm definitely climatizing again and things are getting less dramatic. I like it here, I really do. Boston definitely has it perks sometimes you just have to look harder. Like these spring flowers...

Why Spring Breaks are wonderful

Sorry that it's been so long since I've posted on the blog. We feel like life hasn't been that exciting lately with various snow storms, and the stomach bug it's been a dreary winter. March has been much more fun but busy so there you go. But this last week Jason and I got our first spring break of our college career! (BYU doesn't believe in Spring Breaks) I actually got the whole week off and we decided to go to D.C. so Jason could do some informational interviews at companies, I could revisit my favorite city, and we could visit all of our wonderful Cambridge friends. It was great and just the break we needed and I now realized I was cheated out of my mental sanity for my whole college career. Here are a few of the highlights....

 This is the Masonic temple in Old Alexandria. Very poor museum exhibits but really cool to see anyway.

 This is the top of the Kennedy Center. We tried to make a free concert but was mistaken on the time. Instead we went to the roof and got a beautiful view of the city. It was cold but it was also beautiful with the sun setting. Also one of the best parts is spending all week with my husband without all the stress off life.

 Food! Namely Good Stuff Eatery, I've been dreaming of these milkshakes for the last couple years since I left. It was heaven.

 Museums, this was the coolest from the Hishorn museum, the whole exhibit just engulfed you. I like the more modern art since it really makes you think.

And one of the best parts is the Cambridge get together we had. Honestly everything about this picture makes me happy; the people, the food (pazookies were awesome), and the GREAT conversation. These people just make me want more out of life and is proof that you can love life. I love it and we miss them terribly.

And now it's back to work and school but I refuse to let stress impede on my life just yet because life is so much better without it.

Happiness

Right now I am on a journey to find happiness everyday. Here's something that made me smile today. Enjoy!

Best morning break

One of the simple joys of marriage is having someone that can help turn the day around and one of the things I love about my husband is how he helps me. Today I had a rough morning at work and I needed to get out of the office and clear my head and needed someone to vent to for a minute. So for my morning break I text Jason to see of he could meet me for five minutes at his library. He graciously agreed and then he met me half way between his library and work (which is only a five minute walk, I love it) and he gave me a good hug which immediately relaxed me...seriously there isn't anything else in the world like a hug and kiss on the forehead from your husband and he let me vent. Then randomly he took me into a curious George store around the corner from my work and picked up a dr. Suess book and said "this break was brought to you by Dr. Seuss" and proceeded to read the book. He then told me I was tough and thanked me for working so hard and that was it, I was back at work and feeling much better about life. I've recently have discovered and am still discovering that you are in charge of your own happiness and I don't think having a Husband instantly makes you happier but today I learned that what my husband does for me is provide a great environment which makes it easier for me to choose to be happy and for that I am ever grateful.

Monday

What a heck of a day. One of those days that was probably better off spent in bed. Work was hectic, the sky is gray with rain and the sidewalks are covered with ice which goes along pretty well with my mood. As I sit here and wait for Jason to finish his school so we can take what I'm sure to be treacherous walk home I'm trying to to be positive in hopes that the evening can turn itself around. At least I'm enjoying the best part of my day so far... A good strong chocolate drink with my new favorite pandora station. Also a glimpse of Jason as he does all his school stuff and I'm reminded how lucky I am that I have him and we are here. At least that's something.

Snowed In

Sorry about not posting in January. January sometimes can be so bleak and I never feel like I want to do anything. But now we're on to February and things are looking much brighter. We are completely snowed in today. Not going anywhere. Love it. I'm finishing all my craft projects, finishing the hobbit, cleaning the house, and cheering Jason on as he takes on the enormous task of shoveling! Staying inside drives Jason crazy but I love it. Yesterday work got cancelled early so I came home, ate, read, took a nap, it was heaven.

Anyway here is the one thing of note that happened in January, we went to New York City to visit my dad who was there for work and it was so much fun! We went to Evita (not awesome but that's okay), the Frick collection (one of the coolest museums), and tons of good food, notably a wonderful French restaurant that was delicious.

Merry Christmas!!

I know it's been a couple of months since I've written anything. First of all, once November started life got super crazy and honestly, until this weekend, I can't remember the last time that I sat down and didn't have anything pressing to do. Secondly, I've decided that sometimes it takes a lot for me to sit and reflect and write about events and experiences. Often times it's easier to just keep moving, don't think, just move. But I've also discovered that it's not always healthy that way either.

So without further ado, I will tell you about the wonderful December that we have had. It started out wonderfully with the Heath's coming in to town to visit. Our first visitors! Not to mention it was the Heath's :) You know those people that you can just share everything with and you know they understand you and you can express whatever it is that you want without being judged? Well that's what I'd say the Heath's are for us. Cousins + Friends = a wonderful weekend.

The second major event was that we went back to Utah for a long weekend. It was so wonderful to see family again. Man how I miss them! We got to drive on the nice I-15 freeway system, eat at Cafe Rio, go shopping, but best of all we spent time with my family making gingerbread houses and we even had a mini Christmas the Saturday before we left. It even snowed the night before so we got our white christmas :)

This would be my sister husband and brother playing on our new Ipad Mini for Christmas! This picture is currently my background on the Ipad and I laugh every time I turn it on.

When we left I was so overwhelmed with love I felt from my family and particularly my parents. I think the real Christmas present I received this year is that the power of love is strength. It's what allows us to go forward and what makes life worth it. The world is full of messages about how love hurts and is painful. We're taught that strength comes when we don't feel love because love makes us vulnerable. But after this weekend I realized that the real truth that should be spread is love is strength and power and I can't think of anything more beautiful.

Jason and I are back in Boston and will be spending Christmas together, just the two of us. Kind of romantic, I'm excited :) But I hope that Christmas finds you well and at the very least feeling love from Heavenly Father since that was the true gift that was given those many years ago.