halloween '13

We started celebrations for Halloween on the 30th this year. Amelia dressed up for toddler time at the library and had so much fun running around with other babes in their costumes. When Dad came home, we headed into Murray, so Little Red could pay a visit to Grandma Bodtcher before we headed to trunk-or-treat with our ward. Amelia was really nervous with all the commotion in the dark, but we had fun nevertheless. I was scheduled to work this Halloween, and Jeremy and Amelia had planned to come to the party at my facility. Unfortunately, Amelia barfed all over herself and I, and we decided that the little sicky should stay home. Jeremy told me she would run to the back of our house whenever the doorbell would ring. As soon as the kids left, she would run back up and wave goodbye. Hilarious. Jeremy also took Amelia out trick-or-treating at our neighbor, Steve's house, who carves 10+ pumpkins, each taking several hours to perfect. Jeremy sent me pictures of them, and they did not disappoint.

Gosh, don't blink, because it's already November. And soon, it'll be 2014. Lucky for us, we're just rounding the best time of the year, where holiday roll into holiday. I'm grateful for this season of love and this darling family of mine. Grateful for financial security, even though sometimes it means crying over missed holidays. Grateful for my babe, who reminds me how magical childhood is. I'm blessed.

131313

I first heard of 131313 from a running site I am following on facebook. Thirteen half marathons (13.1 miles) in 2013. I laugh at how ridiculous it sounded. Then, as time grew, I found myself thinking about the possibility. Finally, I decided to commit. And there was no turning back. I couldn't be more proud of myself. I PR'd three times, my current record being 1:47. I also had some rough races, awfully hilly courses, #4 in Ogden, where it poured the entire time and #10, where I rolled my ankle at mile 5. In the end, I stopped training in between races because I was working so much, but it was nice to see I could still bust out 13 miles if I needed to. I couldn't have done it without Jeremy. Every race day, he would pack up our babe and her breakfast, drive me to my bus, try to get some shut eye, pick up a dr. pepper for me right before my finish, and cheer me on as I passed the finish line. Ah, I'm a lucky girl to have him. I am also grateful that Amelia put up with this for her entire summer/fall. She's such a sweetheart; I can't think of a better motivation for taking care of my body than setting an example for my daughter. Finally, I couldn't have done it without the love and support from my family and friends! Training gets awfully tiresome sometimes, but it was always comforting to know I had my fan club to cheer me on. I loved running, I loved being a part of and meeting the running community, I loved getting stronger and faster, and I'm so grateful to have been able to accomplish this huge goal of mine!

golden

It was my golden birthday: 22 years on the 22nd; kind of a big deal if you ask me. Jeremy was up late the night before making sure I woke up to perfection (and I was working, of course). Do you see what I woke up to?  A clean kitchen with gold balloons, gold lanterns, gold candy (my favorite), and a gorgeous gold necklace. Oh, and the cake. Jeremy baked and frosted and decorated that chocolate cake all by himself. Aren't you all way impressed? Gosh, I love him. I'm a lucky girl to have a man who makes sure every detail is painstakingly perfect, and still is able to surprise me.

I got to spend my whole day with my baby girl, who just thinks she is the most hilarious baby ever (I can't blame her). Then, Jeremy took me out to The Roof for dinner. We walked around City Creek before and around the Temple afterwards. We had delicious food, a beautiful view, and I'm just so grateful to have time to catch up with my Honey (because honestly, we don't see each other much these days). He could have taken me anywhere for dinner and I would have been so happy just to be holding his hand, but like always, he chose to go all out. And like a gentleman, he didn't let me see the bill. It brings me to tears how special he makes me feel, how protective and loving he is of me, the way he kisses me and holds me when it's cold. I'm so blessed. We concluded the evening by picking up our babe (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Bodtcher!) and celebrating just the three of us. Amelia may or may not have gotten some frosting way past her bedtime... It was the perfect day. I just adore my family.

Plus, I'm so thankful for all the birthday wishes I received on social media and through text. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel special!

(PS. That random chapel picture above? We were about to walk out, and the sister missionary begged us to let her take a picture. She was so darling I couldn't refuse!)

three years

Yesterday was our three year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's already been three years, and I can't believe it's only been three years. We celebrated by serving as proxies for sealings at the Salt Lake Temple. I got pretty emotional seeing other couples who couldn't even physically kneel across the altar, but were still diligently attending the temple weekly. Everyone there had been married for 45+ years; we were just babies. The sealer gave us, the proxies, and those who have passed on, some inspiring instruction. One couple was having a bad day, they had been married for 48 years, they mentioned eternity is a long, looooooooooooooooong time. The sealer responded that husbands need that time to perfect themselves to be worthy of their wives. Jeremy squeezed my hand three times fast, three times fast for "I love you." Gosh, you guys, marriage is hard. This session did put things in perspective for me: at the end of the day, that extra dish in the sink won't matter; at the end of the day, laundry sitting around and dirty floors won't matter; at the end of the day, the basement not getting finished won't matter. At the end of the day, it's just me and my mister, and the way it feels being wrapped up in his arms.

Eternity sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

PS. We also went to the Melting Pot, for both of ours' first times. I totally understand what the hype is all about.

xo


1 year
2 years