Sorry. Not Sorry.

     I could apologize for neglecting my blog the past several months. But in a way that seems narcissistic, as if assuming the world was lacking a certain 'je ne sais quoi' when I stopped  filling it with my life updates. So I won't.

  Arland and I were married on the 9th of May. It was a quiet ceremony in the Vancouver temple. We didn't have expensive caterers, extravagant decore or professional entertainment. But we had family, laughter and the best of friends. And isn't that when you really remember?

        We had a wonderful time travelling. Although there were a few bumps in the road. Our travel agent didn't book our seats next to each other on the plane. Once seated, Arland innocently pointed back to his 'just married' wife a row back. Sitting apart while on your honeymoon was completely out of the question to the passenger next to him and we soon traded seats. That was a small concern considering our travel agent also didn't book us a room at our hotel. (I'm beginning to wonder if she understands the criteria of her job because she also apparently forgot we needed to get back to Edmonton and not live in Denver. Our flight connection in the states flew out for Alberta before we even left Mexico)

        But for the most part we had a great time brushing up on Arland's Spanish in Puerto Vallarta. Apparently I need to learn some myself. One night we sat borrowing Starbuck's WiFi when a man approached Arland. He was dressed in a neat button-up shirt, slacks and coiffed hair (this is unusual for the average street vendor in Mexico). He spoke to Arland in Spanish. After a minute the man opens his wallet and gives Arland 500 pesos ($50). And then Arland walks away. Leaving me with this man. Sold for $50 on your honeymoon!! Turns out he wasn't getting rid of me that easily. He returned in a matter of minutes with a pizza. Apparently I was sitting with the Quality Inspector of Domino's for all of Mexico. He was seeing if us gringos are charged a different rate than locals. We sat and enjoyed our free authentic Mexican pizza (ham and pineapple)

     We went on a couple of excursions. A Jungle tour and a live performance on an indigenous island lit by torches. Both were amazing. There was so much wonderful food. And ice cream every day folks! It's common knowledge you're allowed to get fat after you're married. We searched for hole-in-the-wall places that were the real deal. Our favorite spot was at an corner restaurant. Fresh hot tortillas, homemade horchata and divine pico de gallo. The family who owned the restaurant sat down at the table next to us and ate their own food. Sign of a good place to eat!

       It all ended too soon. Leaving is always hard. But it was exciting to come back and start Real Life Part II: Marriage. Everyone was so great to us leading up to our wedding and after. So much love and support coming from so many people, some who we didn't even know. And so much generosity! People were thoughtful and sincere we have been awe-struck. Thank you to all who helped, in any way, and thank you to those who had us in their thoughts. It takes a village to outfit a newly-weds house!

Back! And Better Than Ever

    Hello blogging world! I've had several requests (?complaints) the a new blog post was in order. And what's a people pleasing girl, like myself, gonna do with her unhappy public?! So as per request, this is your delivery.
Since my last post (in October, which I admit myself is rather shameful) I've:

- Finished my education!

The exams stressed me pretty much to the max, but I pulled through and am now proud to call myself a Sonographer. I started work at Canada Diagnostic Centres and am absolutely loving it. The people I work with are great, the hours are amazing, its awesome to finally be getting paid for what I was doing anyway! All around win!

I wrote my Canada board exams shortly after starting (results aren't in yet so the celebration isn't official yet!)

-I went home                                                                                                                                     

It is always so wonderful after a long stretch of being away from family to go home. Got some quality time in with the sibs and just chilled after a really rough couple of cramming weeks.

My daddy and I went for a bike ride (it has been years since I've hopped on one of those contraptions). And he totally whipped my tush up those hills. We all got alcatraz Pj's for Christmas. Momma's a talented woman. (who is mightily enjoying that choke hold of Dad's)

We made the Nativity scene out of gingerbread men. See my life-like recreation of Lulu!

-I got laser eye surgery!                                                                                                                

Poor mom was a personal taxi for weeks. I had my eyes done and was an invalid for days and Clayton had his wisdom teeth out within a week of my surgery.

And I could sugar coat it, but I'm not going to. It was painful. I could not open my eyes for a day and couldn't tolerate light for 3. But I'm happy now. I love waking up and looking at my clock at the other side of the room and knowing what time it is. Or getting up and just going, falling asleep and not having to take contacts out, not having to pack contacts, solution, case and glasses when I go somewhere over night. Awesome.

                                  

I'm still with that cute-looking blonde boy.

                                       These are the flowers he bought me when I was feeling sad

These are the flowers he bought me when I finished my board exams and surprised me by sneaking into my house and leaving them on my desk

These ones are for Valentines day. 

And I didn't snap a shot of the beautiful white lilies he got me after I finished my Provincial board exams.

He came out for a visit during the break. 19 hours on a greyhound bus, folks! He is a trooper! I picked him up at 4:30 AM the morning he got in. And we had a blast! Going to the movies, sight seeing, visiting Vancouver, going on the skytrain, shopping in the states!

Apparently we also ate a lot of food. This would explain why he's now put P90X on my desktop. Subtle, Hun.

And so when a boy buys you so many flowers and spends prolonged periods of time on a bus, endangering his neck to the crazies who ride it, just to see you, there are certain consequences.

- I got engaged                                                                                                                                 

Vancouver Temple May 9th 2014. 

NBD

That has been a wild, crazy, frustrating experience! And to all those girls who have had a binder of the wedding they've wanted since they were 6. Let me tell you now, you've forgot something! There's no way the human mind can possibly think of all the things you will actually need at one time! Sheesh!

But it's also a crazy amount of fun. This past weekend we got the bridesmaid dresses.

And if we were going for a 60's theme this would have been perfect. Pictures of the real deal will be released after May 9th. You can bite your fingernails until then! And I might borrow yours too, cause I don't have any more fingernails to bite!

                                                                

Mormon Temples

2:07 to 3:06 are my absolute favorite

Salt Lake City Temple

     One thing that seems to set people of the LDS faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints AKA Mormons) apart is our Temples.  Inside these holy edifices we worship God and make promises with Him. We go to feel peace and find answers to our prayers. Although there are many things that go on in the temple we are best known for being married in them. We believe when married in the temple, you are married for time and all eternity. Not just "Till death do us part". Even when your sweetheart passes away, if you have been married in the Temple, you will still have them and your family in the life after. I love that.

Seattle Temple

       It is a very exciting time for LDS members in Alberta right now. A Temple has just been completed in Calgary. What happens in the temple is so sacred to us that after it is dedicated (set apart as a holy place) only worthy members who live the commandments and follow the teachings of the church are permitted inside. But we want everyone to know what we believe! It isn't a secret! What happens inside is just so dear to our hearts and sacred that we don't display it for the world to mock and ridicule. For a few weeks, before the temple is closed to the public, we invite anyone who is interested, anyone who has ever had a question about our temples, anyone who has no idea what a temple is, to come and see for themselves.

      My dear friends, this is something so very important to me. I want you to know why! I want to share with you something that's not only a belief, but a part of who I am. This really is a once in a lifetime experience. If you have any questions, if you are interested at all, if you want to know more, I would love to take you inside this extraordinary structure or talk to you more about it.

My Very own Vancouver Temple :)

      The Temple is more than just a beautiful building. It's a place where we draw nearer to God and make promises. In return we have our families for eternity. I love that even when I'm thousands of miles away from the people who are dearest to me I never have to be afraid I will never be with them again. My family will be together forever. And I can't wait for it.