2 Year Anniversary

I can't believe that Jeremy and I have been married two years! Time has really flown by but it seems like we have been married forever. It's hard to remember time before Jeremy. We have been best friends for so long! This anniversary is a momentous one as it is our last without kids! Nuts! Looking back on this last year of marriage I can't believe how much we have been through together. Two college graduations, one pregnancy, one move from Rexburg to California, our first flight together for our vacation in Florida, and an acceptance to graduate school. Our life has changed so much and will only continue to change! The good news is that we aren't going through any of it alone. Jeremy is the perfect person to be standing by my side through it all. I really got lucky!

This year we didn't do anything too crazy. Instead we just spent the day together. 

First we went to this doughnut shop in Oakley. I secretly LOVE doughnuts. I love bread and I love sugar so put them together and you have a perfect treat! However, I rarely eat them. Jeremy decided that instead of breakfast in bed this would be a perfect start to our day. And it was...except for the little mishap once we got there. We get there and another couple comes in right after us. I know exactly what I want (my favorite...maple bar) but of course Jeremy needs time to decide. It looked like there was only one left but Jer assured me that that one was the custard filled and this other group were regular. We decided to let the other couple go first since Jer needed some time. What did the lady order? A maple bar. Was it the last one? Yes. Devastation! So I had to settle for a chocolate bar. But Jer got a custard filled maple so I could nibble off the side. He still owes me my own maple! 

We had Mom take our traditional anniversary picture. Unfortunately it was bright, so the glass caught some glare. But still cute!

Our last treat for the day was going out to eat at one of our favorite places: Chili's. We never go out so this really was a treat. 2 for $20! 

I loved spending the whole day with my sweet husband and was reminded to count him twice when I count my blessings!

New Home

For months Jeremy and I have been applying for Physical Therapy programs for this upcoming school year. It is a long and expensive endeavor but one that is obviously necessary and very important for our future. After much research, prayer, and fasting we narrowed down our options to 7 schools: Cal State Northridge, Chapman University, Western University of Health Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Hampton University, University of North Carolina, and Armstrong Atlantic State University.

We studied each school out individually and took it to the Lord in prayer. We were certain about each one except UNC. This school is highly ranked, more expensive to apply to, and very far away. We prayed, fasted, and visited the temple specifically for this school and kept feeling strongly that we really needed to apply. I chalked it up to being a trial of our faith and we went forward with the application.

We heard back from Nova very quickly (all the way back in November). We had been accepted! We felt great! However we had to let them know our decision within a couple of weeks with a $1000 deposit. Because we had heard back so soon, it was going to be awhile until we heard back from other schools. We had to decide without knowing our other options if we were going to go there or not. Again, more praying and fasting and in the end we felt like we should decline the offer. Decline the offer?!?! What if that is the only one we get and we said no? We both were freaking out but felt at peace with the answer we received.Then the waiting game continued. 

Then, in January Jeremy found out that he had been offered and interview at UNC. Wow! Out of over 500 applicants Jeremy was one of 60 chosen. We were so excited. The prices for plane tickets out there, however, were not as exciting. We prayed again to make sure that this was the right thing to do. We didn't want to pay all this money for naught especially because this was the school we thought to be our "trial of our faith" school. But we felt good about the trip. So January 10th, Jeremy left for North Carolina. Thankfully he was able to stay with the Calhouns while he was there and they showed him a good time. The day of the interview I was so sick to my stomach (sympathy nerves...I'm so glad that it's not me having to interview. Then I would be a real mess!) The interview went well and he came home to wait some more. On February 1st we received the news that the waiting was over. Jeremy had been one of 30 selected to attend UNC in the fall. Such amazing news! However we had received another interview offer for Western University and were still waiting to hear from the others. And like before, we needed to let them know within a couple of weeks. It was such a great opportunity for us, yet for some reason it was still hard to commit. We never really pictured ourselves there and it seemed so far off our radar. So more praying. It might seem silly to be praying so much over this decision but we really want to make sure that we go where the Lord needs us to be. With this pure intention, I received my answer very quickly. Looking back I think I knew all along. But it was important that Jeremy receive his own answer. And he did. We both agreed that we needed to go to North Carolina. Being so rooted in California makes this change bittersweet but we feel so at piece with this decision.

I wanted to document this experience because it is a testament to me that the Lord is truly mindful of us. He has a plan for us and wants to help us along the path He has set out for us. It is such a comfort to know that if we humbly ask for help, it will come. 

So, even though it wasn't a part of our original plan, our home for the next three years is North Carolina, and we couldn't be more excited for the adventure!

Living in Brentwood

From December 2012-July 2013 we are living with my parents in Brentwood. That's right, Jeremy and I are bunking it in my old room! Woot! Honestly this has been such a blessing to live with them and save some money before grad school. Being the youngest I had three and a half years to just live with Mom and Dad. During that time we created a very special relationship. With all the attention on me I won't deny that we had our fair share of arguments, but looking back I think it was because of that time that my parents and I are so close. Coming back now as a married, pregnant woman was a little different but I really enjoy that Jeremy will get some more quality time with them. 

While we have been living here we have done several double dates which I absolutely love! In March we went to an amazing flower and garden show in San Mateo. We had a blast and saw some amazing things. They also had a bunch of different booths so we got some samples and some free flowers! What a great day!

This globe is completely made out of plants!

Group shot!

Another plus of living at home...TREATS! :) Seriously Mom and Dad totally spoil us. It reminds me of when i was little and dad would always bring me something back from his trips. (Many collections started from this tradition.) After a trip to Half Moon Bay, Dad brought back this eclairs! So yummy!

While we have been living here Jeremy has been busy with work. Another huge blessing has been Jeremy's ability to work for his dad's business: East Bay Welding Supply. We are so grateful that he can have such an awesome, flexible job where he can make some money for grad school. On top of working for his Dad, Jeremy also took a job working for Antioch High School as their JV boys volleyball coach. This has been such a good experience for Jeremy. He loves coaching and is really good at it. Most of these boys had never played volleyball coming into the season and yet they ended it with a winning record. They are a great group of boys and I am so glad that we were able to get to know them all!

Jeremy coaching from the sidelines.

The huddle

The Team

I LOVE this picture. When Madi and Elle came to visit for a week, Mom and I took them to one of Jeremy's games. We really talked it up and they were pretty excited. The girls dressed in black and yellow and we made signs and pompoms. We were the best cheerleaders there! Madi was cute and kept trying to get Jeremy's attention during the game. They loved it and so did Uncle Jeremy!