Forever.

Day five:  A picture of your favorite memory.

{Photo by Krista Smith}

I was inside that magnificent place--kneeling at an alter.  Across from me sat the most handsome figure I had ever seen, with a smile so bright, I almost wept.   Memories cannot be tangibly captured in this sacred place, but we were encouraged to never forget the divine covenants we were about to enter into.  My heart grew so full, it almost burst as I came to the realization that the man of my dreams had become my dream come true.  And he would be my other half.  For eternity.  

There is such a curiosity amongst people  outside the LDS culture about the temple.  Books have been written, trying to decode the "mysterious" happenings which occur therein.  But, I am here to tell you, the temple is not an ambiguous place.  The covenants and ceremonies within that holy structure are not secret, but sacred.  Anyone can enter the temple--provided they are interviewed by the proper priesthood authority and deemed worthy.  

The temple is a beautiful place.  A place I wish to make many more special memories.  But for now, I will remember. 

{Photo by Abbey Kyhl}

Bad Newlyweds.

Day four:  A picture of your night

This was taken before heading over to my parent's house for Garret's birthday celebration.  James just woke up from a much deserved nap.  It was a little bit rude of me to make him take a picture with me.  But he did.  Because he loves me.  

Last night I ate more food than I have ever consumed in one sitting.  Not joking.  A steak, six twice-baked potatoes, three heaping servings of fruit salad, and two birthday cookies.  My husband's appetite might be rubbing off on me.  Not good.  He still out-ate me, but not by much.  We  have a problem.

Can I let you in on a secret?  We've been married four months, and between the two of us we've gained 23 pounds.  Bad.  Bad newlyweds.  We joined a gym last week, in hopes of rectifying the situation, but we haven't been too consistent with it.  I need motivation.  It's not even about the aesthetics of it all--because, quite frankly, we're both too tall for it to be too noticeable {Mista T. is 6'5", and I'm 5'10"}.  I just want to be healthy.  I've never been a good exerciser.  I've gone through periods where I would workout everyday--but I've never kept it up for longer than a few months. But this ends now.  I'ma keep with it.  And by "keep with it", I mean start.  

I got this.  But, if you feel  like encouraging me, that would be okay, too.  

Angels!

*I remember hearing Dieter Uchtdorf saying in a General Relief Society broadcast, "Make beautiful your surroundings, that the angels may delight in visiting your locations."  I love that quote, and really wanted to make it apart of my marriage.

Our little apartment has become such a sanctuary for us.  I don't mind the creepy little creepers living next to me, or freeway sounds at night.  I just love having a home to share with my handsome husband.

So.  Here's a little tour.

Living Room

This table belonged to my Great Grandma.  Isn't it the greatest?

I'm still not sure what I've posted this.  Not the most flattering angle.  Note the rotten bananas.

He's really good at that ^.

Almost everything shown above was either given to us, or purchased by us with money given to us.  We are lucky little ducks.

And really, that is basically it.  Ha.  My visiting teachers came last month and said, "Wow.  Your apartment is really small."  I know.  But guess what?  There are only two of us.  And even though we are both giants, we manage to fit in here comfortably.

Home.  It's where I want to be.

{insert techno beat, if you know wha um sayyin}

On a completely unrelated note:

My hair is new.  Kind of.

Oh.  And the security settings on our computer are really strict for some reason right now.  So I don't even know which pictures I posted.  Minus the first one.  Okie.

Wedding Photos.

Courtesy of the very lovely, Abbey Kyhl.  

I married such a handsome man.

Rembering is one of our favorite things to do.  Though we've only been married three months, our memories are so precious to us.   Reliving this day is something I want to do everyday.  It was so . . . perfect.

So . . .

After getting married and stuff, it turns out I'm like really in love with my husband.  He is everything I imagined love could be and more.  When I'm with him, I'm me.  But better.  His arms are the place I want to be.  His song is the one I wish to sing.  When I'm with him, I'm really living.

In the midst of an economy where people are struggling to find one job, my man is holding down two.  That means he's at work from 8:30-1:00, and 3:30-midnight.  That's a lot of working, if you ask me.  But, he never complains.  He is good.  But really, he's even better than that.  I'm not sure there's a powerful enough word to encompass a man like James. I guess for now I will settle with splendid.

I love it when great things turn out to be incredible. Sometimes things you believe to be complete and perfect turn out to be completely perfect. And right now that is how life is.  At least in my mind.

Mushy, mushy.  Mush.  But it really is all true.