five cheers for three years.

Our anniversary this year (which took place over 2 weeks ago) was so different, but SO much fun with a baby. It's like we celebrated [and paid most attention to] our love child, who is a result of our marriage and love for each other. (Yes, I call Franz our love child. Don't worry about it.)

We spent the day up the canyon where we had a picnic of Subway sandwiches, and then took a short walk up the trail at Bridal Veil Falls--one of our favorite spots up there, and also one of the stops on our first date (where we also ate Subway sandwiches). We dipped Franz's toes in the water, which he didn't like very much because it was kind of cold. On the way back to the car, Franz started getting fussy, so we made every kind of crazy noise we could think of to get him to laugh so he wouldn't cry. It worked.

^^^Of course, I didn't get a picture of the two of us together on our anniversary, so pretend that this is one picture of the two of us together. :)

That night, we went to my very favorite pizza place, Pizzeria 712, for some wood fired goodness. Franz was being the biggest flirt to the group of people sitting next to us. He'd stare at them until they looked back at him and then give them the biggest grin until he had them laughing and commenting on how cute he was. Then he'd do it again. For how introverted that boy's parents are, he's not so much, and I love it.

It was such a good day, our third anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long already! It seems like just a few months ago that we were getting married and being newlyweds in Provo together, enjoying that first summer together (probably my favorite summer to date). Now it's three years later, and we have a baby?! That went by so fast, but I love where I'm at right now. 

...

pizza on our anniversary.

For our 2nd anniversary, we spent the whole day together. We got Cafe Rio for lunch, and had planned to go up the canyon for a picnic, but the traffic was backed up for miles getting in, so we went to a park instead. We ate lunch, laid side by side in the shade, and watched a family play soccer.

Afterwards we went to the mall and bought some hand soap at Bath & Body Works, and a few pieces of baby clothes for our little one (I really couldn't resist). 

Later we tried Pizzeria 712 for dinner, and really enjoyed it (but it was fire-grilled pizza, after all). Their cheese is to die for. "Hand-pulled mozzarella" is what they call it, and now I need to get my hands on some. We topped the night off by watching Lincoln and feeling the baby kick (!!!). Even Zac can feel it, and that makes me happy.

...

two years.

Two years ago today, I married this handsome man. We were so little back then, and so nervous. We didn't know what to do with all the attention we were getting that day. But holy cow, that day was the best of my life. I made my very best friend my husband, and it has been the best decision I've ever made.

Happy 2nd anniversary, Zac! I love you. :)

...

a very happy 18 months.

A year and a half ago today, Zac and I drove ourselves to our temple and married each other! I can't believe how long it's been--it still feels like only a couple of months. 

This last year and a half has been a breeze. I've enjoyed it with Zac by my side, and I've learned so much, like how to love, and how to live for two people instead of just one, and how to be patient (still working on that one). This man is good to me.

Before getting married, I got a lot of advice from lots of different people. The best advice I got, though, was this: Put your spouse's needs, wants, and happiness before our own, always. That was hard. I mean, I had needs and wants too, right?! But I learned to put my Zac before me. I massaged his back when I was too tired, and made him dinner when I didn't feel like cooking. Those are the times when I felt the most loved, and felt happy myself, because Zac would return the favor, and do something for me, too. It was a two-way street.

One of the biggest thing I've learned in marriage is said perfectly by Darren King from the band, Mutemath. He said, "Now that I'm married, the bads in my life hurt more and the goods are way better, and that's just it. I've created a polarity." It's because, like I said above, I'm living for two people. Instead of feeling only my pain, I feel pain for both me and Zac. And the joys! The joys are multiplied by 1,000, I swear. 

This marriage thing isn't so bad as everyone says it is. I love you, Zac.

...

31 great years.

31 years ago today, my mom and dad made their way up to Salt Lake City to be married in the very temple I was married in. Since then, they've had seven children, and watched four of those children get married in that temple. I've been alive for 22 of those 31 years, and I can tell you that those years have been good ones. They are madly in love, and they will be married for the rest of their lives, and throughout all eternity.

It's marriages like these that give me hope, when the rest of the world takes marriage so lightly, to know that my marriage can be everything it's meant to be. Thanks for being my example, mom and dad! I love you two.

And look at what a beautiful family they have together:

...

this weekend...

This weekend, Zac and I...

• slept in three days in a row.
• spent a day in Salt Lake City.
• discovered our new favorite sandwich place.
• shopped for three hours straight.
• went to my favorite Salt Lake restaurant.
• celebrated our first anniversary in a hotel downtown.
• listened to church hymns playing at McDonald's on Sunday morning.
• drove home in the pouring rain.
• ate breakfast for dinner.
• played way too many rounds of Speed on our bed.
• played around with our new dehydrator, and made dried mangos and tomatoes.
• found our new favorite cupcake cafe (we think...).
• and enjoyed another one.
• finally bought a wreathe for our front door.

How was your weekend? Oh, and Happy Memorial Day!

...

happy one-year anniversary to us!

Dear Zachary Max,

One year ago to this very day, I married you in the Salt Lake City temple. The days leading up to our marriage were exciting, annoying, slow, and wonderful. Remember when, on the night before our wedding, I completely broke down because my flowers were all wrong? I still, to this day, hate my wedding bouquet.

When that day finally came, you picked me up from my parents' house in the wee hours of the morning, and we drove ourselves up Bacchus Highway to the temple grounds. We sang Chapel of Love by The Dixie Cups almost the whole way up there, replacing the word Chapel with Temple, because, I mean, that's where we were going!

When we arrived at the temple, we went our separate ways, and my mom (along with all the cute, old ladies in the temple) helped me into my temple dress. As my mom, a temple lady, and I were walking to go meet you, I realized that your ring was still in my bag. The temple lady seemed stressed the moment I said something about it. But my mom went back and got it before the ceremony even began. It seemed like hours went by before they led me into the Celestial room where we sat together, waiting to be married.

Our ceremony was kind of long, but maybe it was because I had butterflies, and I just wanted to be married already. I hardly remember what was said before we were married. Then it happened! We were married. And that first smooch as husband and wife was so sweet.

Before we met up to say hi to family and friends, I had to put on my wedding dress, that just so happened to have a tear in it. It was a good thing that I had brought a needle and thread, and that my mom is one talented seamstress. I remember being so anxious to see my new husband, and my mom was just concerned about touching up my make up and hair, and I got really annoyed.

We walked out of those two doors together, holding hands, and gave each other another big smooch on the steps. I hugged everyone I saw, and it made me so happy to see so many people who cared about us. The next few hours were spent taking way too many pictures, until we finally were able to change out of our clothes, and meet our friends and families for a luncheon at The Lion House. Remember how delicious and filling that lunch was?

On the way down to our reception that night, we were too tired for words, and so we stopped at a grocery store and got a Mountain Dew for me, and a Dr. Pepper for you. I don't usually drink caffeine, but I'm glad I did that night, because I would've fallen asleep.

Our outside reception started off nice, but then it had started to rain, which bugged me a lot back then, but now I think it was pretty cool, especially since our first dance was in the rain. By the end of the night, the bottom six inches of my wedding dress was brown from the dirt, and we drove away in your car, and off to our little place in Provo.

What a good, good day, husband. I can't believe it's been a whole year already. I've learned so much from you, and I can't believe how much I love you now compared to then. The amount is significantly higher. You've taught me patience (even though I'm still working on it), and to talk things out, because you and I both know that I like being quiet when I'm frustrated. You've taught me to better my faults, but at the same time, you focus on the good things about me. You've taught me how to love, and how to be a best friend. Marrying you is the best decision I've ever made, and I'm so happy you're mine for eternity! I sure do love you, Zac, and I'm excited to see what the future will bring for us. Happy first anniversary, my love.

...

a year ago, i got a ring.

Today marks my one-year anniversary of being proposed to.

One year ago today, Zac took me up to this place, dined me, and then asked me the question. Before he took me out, he (and my friend, Emily, who was in on the whole thing) had convinced me that he was simply taking me out on a normal date. Emily even mentioned that she thought he was "going to propose on Valentine's Day."

A little depressed, I took a nap in my bedroom after hearing this. When I woke up, I didn't redo my hair or make up, but rode with Zac up to Sundance.

We ate, and at the end of our meal, he proposed to me in a little room seperated from the rest of the restuarant by a heavy curtain. Then we took blurry pictures, because it was quite dim in that room (and I hate flash).

We met up with both of our parents to tell them the news later that night--my parents, in the parking lot of the Provo mall; his parents, at their house.

This time around, we are keeping the tradition of going to the Tree Room to eat. We have reservations tonight, and I am beyong excited! Happy One-Year Anniversary of being engaged, love! You are wonderful!

P.S. Last night for Family Home Evening, we made homemade salsa. What we learned from it: when everyone brings their best qualities together, they make a fantastic salsa.

Tomorrow's February! Love, and be loved!

.....

hot cocoa date.

after making a lovely dinner of chicken breasts and mushroom sauce (i forgot how delicious that meal was!), husband and i went out to kneaders for a hot cocoa to share. ever since we discovered kneaders' hot cocoa last month, we seem to crave it on a regular basis, especially since it's chilly outside.



later, i'll tell you about how i spent my christmas, and what we did. i think it'll be one of my favorite posts, and you'll know why when you see it! i love my in-laws.

+++

also, happy seven-month anniversary to my wonderful love. seven months ago today we went to the temple to be married. it's been wonderful so far, and i can't wait to see what our future will bring!

(yes, i'm one of those people who recognize and celebrate month anniversaries. it's more fun that way!)