more spring breaks please

I'm stilll dreaming of Hawaii and all those beach vibes and I wish I could say that Tyler and took a fancy getaway for spring break but no. This is real life. Real life includes responsibilities, work, homework, chores, allergies, and temptations to sleep in alllll day. And while the world seems to think that fancy piles of money is the best way to enjoy yourself it's actually very possible to have a break with the little that you have to spare. But I still want to be on a beach right now... The struggle to save is real. 

Anyway I had lots of fun little breaks.

Tyler and I went to a wedding reception for one of his companions on his mission.  I vaguely remember meeting him once at our reception and he said that he loves ours so much that he was going to have it there too. I thought he was joking of course but turns out he really did! I was all sorts of nostalgic when we walked in since the last time I was in that building was on my wedding day. I got sweet flashes of that day of all the pretty lights, my tears eyes dance with my dad, my family, the babies breath, and always being within a couple feet next to Tyler. Tyler said that ours was obviously better though and it made me smile and agree. 

I also played my very first violin solo ever and I was a nervous reck but I felt the spirit so strong and felt the peace I had been praying for. I admittedly have hid my musical talents because my stage fright is so bad but I really do hope I can have more opportunities to share uplifting music wherever it may be. It also help that Tyler was right there next to me to turn my sheet music for me. He was perfect and so supportive in telling me I sounded great. It was so funny when everyone in the ward complimented him on his awesome page turning.

On Tuesday we had a family get together with all my cousins with food and swimming. Nellie came down for the whole week and brought little Roman! I can't get over how much he looks like her! He's the cutest and never made any facial expressions, he's just indifferent about everything and made me laugh! I love that I have a million little cousins and it's NEVER boring. The night ended with laughing and dancing as always.

Later on in the week we hung out will Nellie, Roman, and the rest of their family at the Phoenix Zoo. It took us twenty minutes to see the first bunch of animals since we had to wait for everyone to go to the bathroom, Roman to get his sock on, and we had to get kettle corn. I've probably been there at least 30 times but there's always something new and all the monkeys are worth it. And the giant birds walking around. The one thing that never changes is the tub of dirt with worms and the fake cow that you can milk water from. How is it that the farm is our favorite part?? Tyler was cracking me up because he looked so happy milking the cow! 

I'm not even sorry I'm going again next weekend for my Mother-in-law's birthday 

you had me at aloha

Oh yeah I still have a blog that I'm not sure anyone reads.Well I have some funish things to talk about sooooo here it goes.

Anyone who know me knows I tend to over think and aim for perfection juuuuust a little too much. But as my science professor says, "you just have to go with the flow." Last weekend I planned on going to this flea market with handmade goods like jewelry, clothes, prints, and homy things. I just assumed Tyler would be more than happy to tag along and buy things that we really don't need since he's super into that kind of thing (are you sensing my sarcasm?). What seemed like a perfect plan turned into me forcing my husband to do something he obviously had no interest in. Why do girls have this idea that husbands HAVE to obey their wives because that's just what a good husband does... had to catch myself on that one even though I felt completely justified at the time. Anyway, on the way there, we passed Tempe Beach Park where the Aloha Festival was taking place. I had completely forgot it was that weekend and I knew Tyler would take that over a flea market. I offered for us to just forget about driving all the way to Phoenix and go to the festival but he said, "no that would just make me a terrible husband." So I asked, "can we stop at the Aloha festival on the way back? We can eat food and just hang out." "Okay." 

Honestly  the flea market wasn't nearly as cool as I thought it would be and I just ended up buying headbands and being really sweaty. I did get a lot of ideas for things I could make on my own but it definitely was not worth the 45 minute drive. I felt so bad for dragging Tyler with me while he pretended to be interested. But at least we got to have a nice little walk downtown!

So we managed to make our way back to Tempe and I LOVE THE ALOHA FESTIVAL. Really. We got some yummy terriaki chicken with a little slice of pineapple. We pretty much stuffed our faces while we watched all the hula dancers at a not-so-good view (it was pretty terrible) but I couldn't help but close my eyes and listen to the Hawaiin music and wish we were actually there. We both agreed we'll go one day. A couple can dream! 

i've got it all

So it's already March and my #letteritfebruary project was sort of a fail. It's ok, you can laugh because I'm laughing too! I'm crazy busy with life and I'm actually glad I put important things first. Life goes on and fortunately I plan on always looking for time to create art. Also, I started another goal of running at least 15 miles a week then work my way up... And I did it! I live right next to where the Phoenix marathon is held and boy would I love be one of those runners. Yes I know that's crazy too. (Insert wide eyed face emoji). All I know it it felt great to get this week over with and I'm counting down the days till spring break! 

Date nights are always great but why does picking a restaurant on a Saturday night in the valley always so dang hard?? Please tell me when they invent an app that tells you where you won't have to wait 2 hours to be seated. We must be an impatient couple because we'll drive by a restaurant that we want to eat at, see the people waiting outside and just look at each other and start finding a less packed place to eat! We ended up at California Pizza Kitchen on Friday and ordered our favorite California club pizza. The same pizzas we ordered in our first date. Bet you didn't think pizza could have so much sentimental value! We had the funniest waiter who said we needed to be crazy adventurous and add lemons to our waters. Then we had a surprise anonymous dessert placed on our table (we knew who it was;)). We of course had to top it all of with Friends. 

Also, I saw probably one of my most favorite movies ever called McFarland. It's about cross country and going through hard things so just trust me, you should watch it.

Sunday was a funny day. I thought for some silly reason that stake conference started at ten thirty but it totally started at ten. My sister came up to our car and said that the signal wasn't working at our church building and that we should just stay home since the the stake center can't hold that many people. But we were all dressed up and ready to hear some enriching stuff! So we drove to the stake building and parked almost to the next street and walked in and sat up in the stage. I just loved that we didn't care. The meeting was soooooo good. Here's what I thought were the best parts: 

Mesa Temple president
1017 baptisms on Friday (the day Tyler and I did baptisms and confirmations for family names!)
Pray for temple workers
Family history
Teach children and grandkids to love the temple
Share your testimony of the temple
Work together to get to the temple

"Realize what you have and the blessings you receive in the temple"

Mission president
If you truly have a deep understanding of the atonement then you will
naturally feel the need to share the gospel.
If we love him we need to act

Pres. Hall
Forget about what you want and realize what you have
Be light to the world because we have been given the kingdom
Many people in world want what we have, they just don't know where to find it
"The challenge in most of our lives is to recognize what we've been
given and want it."

Pres. Porter
Pure heart + faith= see God
We see the face of God and we develop greater faith in him.