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. 

...

same-sex marriage.

Since everyone is showing their true colors about same-sex marriage today, I thought I would post something on here to show you how I feel. This is a post written by a girl I know named Camille, who was in my ward before we moved to Orem. What she explains about her beliefs about same-sex marriage is exactly what I think, too. Honestly, I couldn't have said it better myself. Here's what I think, in her words.

 

+++
 

I recently read an article about why Republicans should support a pro-same-sex marriage ruling from the Supreme Court. The author stated that "Gay marriage opponents are going to lose the fight; the only question is whether they will lose it in a way that is quick and painless or long and ugly." Thus, if Republicans would just let the Supreme Court get it over with, it would be a whole lot easier for everyone.

If you know me, you know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--a Mormon--and you may also know that I do not support the legalization of same-sex marriage. Including in this situation.

I recognize that my opposition to the legalization of same-sex marriage makes people think that I have hate in my heart. I realize that by admitting to these convictions, I may offend you or threaten our friendship.

Obviously, I wish it weren't so. But at this important time in our nation, I would just like to make a few things clear, both to my fellow Mormons and everyone else. I'll try to be brief, but I can't make any promises.

My personal religious beliefs inform my view on same-sex marriage.

Sharing one's religious beliefs in today's world is a dangerous game, but here I go:

• I believe that all people lived before they were born on Earth and that we'll all live again after we die.
• I believe that this life is just a tiny part of our eternal existence.
• I believe that the family is central to God's plan.

That means that in heaven, we will live with our families, and we'll be with them forever. 

This next part is the most important. I believe that a family is, in its most boiled-down form, a man and a woman who are husband and wife. I believe that a man and woman together create a godly unit that is not only essential for life to progress but also impossible to imitate. Thus, a union between two men or two women is something that will last for this life only; it can't and won't exist in heaven.

I understand that personal religious convictions don't necessarily make for a solid legal argument, but I can't abandon what I know to be true.

I don't hate gay people.

I know this might seem contradictory to my previously stated beliefs, but please believe me when I say that I love all of God's children, including those who identify as gay, lesbian, or anything else. I'm going to try to address just a couple of the questions you may have about it.

"How can your religion be so cruel as to refuse gay people the right to be with their loved ones in heaven?"

I believe there are eternal laws that no one can change, not even God. The fact that marriage is the union of one man and one woman is one of those laws. It's not like the Mormons all conspired together and decided that being gay is not allowed. This is an eternal truth that cannot be challenged.

"If you say you love gay people, how could you deny them the happiness that comes from marriage?"

I believe that same-sex attraction is a temporary reality that will exist only in this life. In the eternity of existence that will happen after this life, our perceptions of same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage won't be the same as they are now; legalizing same-sex marriage would be creating something that can't extend after we die.

I understand that not everyone agrees with me.

Not everyone believes in God. Not everyone believes in the same God I do. We all have different beliefs, and we all have different ideas of what's best for our nation and our fellow people.

If you think that my beliefs shouldn't be imposed on anyone else, I would like to say the same thing to you: legalizing same-sex marriage is just as much of a moral imposition as banning it is.

My beliefs about same-sex marriage won't change depending on the Supreme Court's ruling. (Furthermore, I think that the opinion that has been expressed [twice] by the people of California shouldn't be overturned by a court.) I know it's unpopular, and I know that I most likely won't convince anyone to change their stance by writing this post. But it concerns something so central to my belief system--marriage and family--that I can't stand by and be silent!

...

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.

...

before my husband.

Before I met my husband, 

I never ate microwaved cheese quesadillas.

I never wanted, or had, a smart phone.

I never made homemade pizza, let alone
considered it my favorite meal.

I never asked people to scratch my back.

I never closed the blinds on my windows.

I never knew that essential oils could be used
by normal people, and not just hippies.

This man has changed me. I love him.

...