Back to the Books!

Well another week has ended and I must say this week was filled with lots of good. For one, I had my first day of classes, finally! It has been so hard not being in school; there is something so powerful about learning new things, pushing yourself, burying yourself into textbooks for hours, the feeling that with all the new school supplies you got your mark will be that much better (do I really need a mini stapler?), and of course the inevitable stress that comes with it all.... I missed it! But I guess part of this whole growing this is that you have to actually put yourself out of your comfort zone, which leads me to my next point... I am in a public speaking class? Not sure how far this chipmunk voice will take me but I sure am excited to see how it goes! One of my assignments is preparing and presenting a toast for a potential bride... sounds much better than writing papers, and a nice break from accounting and finance! It sure was nice having my husband come with me to make sure I had someone to carry my books and encourage me to take the classes that I did, he really is my best supporter and makes me laugh whenever I get too stressed. This weeks best laugh was when he came out of the bathroom so confidently with a Mucho Burrito tattoo right on is right cheek.... nope not his face. Oh goodness.

Love is...

I find this so hilarious and so true. I am so lucky that I have a husband that will hold the umbrella over me even when I know I can be a tad difficult... but just a tad right ;)?

Cabo 2012/2013

It was pretty exciting to get this surprise.... just bumped up to the two floor penthouse

Lovers beach: Darren's favourite place.

All the cousin flocked to Darren. Claire even said he was "the most cuddliest boy in the world" lol 

Family elevator selfies... with 5 girls in my family alot of selfies happened...

Darren trying to capture my attention from above. Whale watching sure was fun!

Looks like Darren is caught on fire....

Nothing better in life; moments with family.

 My beautiful little cousin... who isn't so little anymore.

 We loved our roof top hot tubs.. especially getting ready to watch the fireworks for New Years!

 Sisters!!! From Left: Alexa, Britlyn, and me!

 Lol

I have the cutest cousins in the world...

My family minus Tessa and Joel. From Left: Matt (Alexa's Boyfriend), Alexa, Britlyn, me, Darren, Mom, Dad!

 Cousin's dinner out!

Having fun at the marina!!

Ringing in 2013 with a bang!

I had an amazing time with all my family in Cabo this year, but I promise there are no more trips coming any time soon. We sure were lucky to get to go do so much island hoping last month...  if I didn't have any photos I wouldn't even be sure that December wasn't just a dream.

Favorite moments in a nutshell:

1) Seeing so much family that I have not seen in so long. 

2) Waking up in our room... the walking to check out the beautiful day before us on the deck... nothing to do all day but whatever you wanted.

3) Finding $1.00 burritos at the local store which was for the local workers... but we quickly all caught on and ran there every morning to ensure we could get some before 10:00 am.

4) Watching my grandparents get their portrait done at our last mexican feast in town... keeping the love alive.

5) Walks on the beach, especially with Darren on New Years as the parties and music surrounded us and the ocean was so warm.

6) Going to lovers beach and watching Darren skim board, cliff dive, swim in no swimming zones and whatever life or death excursion he could discover.

7) The laughs that came after Lauren popped out of the water after we all thought she was missing. I think me and Kaitlyn said about 3 prayers.... 

8) Hot tubs on the roof overlooking cabo every night

9) Mexican Walmart

10) Bargaining for bracelets on the beach... I think they can all retire now after my family discovered that they resembled the Michael Kors ones.

11) Tres Leche.... who knew this existed.. so good!!!

12) After wanting to get a couples massage so bad... I finally got the chance at the Mexico airport lol.

13) Paddle boarding... and watching my mom try it determined not to get a drop of water on her.. and she succeeded!

14) Being able to bring all the memories that were created there back with me... sure made me realize how lucky I have been in 2012. 

Secret Daughter

I decided before we left on our trip that I needed to get a book as the extraneous amounts of magazines that were piling up were making my carry on anything but lighter. Not only are magazines expensive, but they also don't facilitate much thought and they do tend to loose my attention after about an hour. After opening up this book on a long flight I remembered the simple joy that comes from escaping your own thoughts every once and a while and diving into someone elses. I finished this book by the time we landed in Florida and loved every page. I can't wait to continue onto my next book which I am half way through, The Night Circus.

Precious Moments

and this is why I love my husband and love being married. After being sad about him leaving for a couple days to head out to Florida to go wake boarding with his papa, I came home from work to find all my favorite friends on our bed.

Darren sent me that blanket while serving his two-year mission in Boston and my two best friends made me those pillows before I left to go to Utah.

Christmas Cruise with the Gardners

We just got back today from an amazing trip to Florida in which we also hopped on a cruise for 5 days through the Bahamas! It was so much fun and the highlight for me was definitely being able to visit Atlantis! For all of you who are Mary Kate and Ashley fans and who have seen Island in the Sun you know just how exciting this was.

Favorite moments in a nutshell:

1) Eating copious amounts of food and unlimited twist cones on the cruise
2) Our waiter from India named Uma.
3) Seeing Darren at at the airport as he left a couple days earlier then me. Couldn't stop smiling.
4) Bahama Breeze. So delicious. 
5) Getting to jet ski at Darren's family condo
6) Double tubing with Darren as we went through a tunnel filled with hammerhead sharks.
7) Shorkeling in Cococay and finding a lonesome little stingray
8) Late night swimming with Holly
9) Walking around Atlantis with Darren through the beaches and amazing aquariums
10) All the fun people watching that Florida and airports have to offer.
11) Celebrating being married for 3 months!!!!!!
12) The Love and Marriage night show on the cruise... Darren and I cried laughing as 75 year old couples answered the most hilarious questions. 
13) Coming back to Calgary and stopping for Mcdonalds and spending the rest of the day napping.

Cant even believe next week we are off to Mexico... lol we are seriously way too spoiled.

Grateful Mondays

I have always really liked Monday's. Monday's are a day to have a fresh start to a fresh week, with a whole weekend behind you for a promising start. I guess it is kind of like a weekly New Years.. you always are a little extra motivated to be a little bit better then the week before. This being said...I have also always loved the first day of school too and  Darren thinks I am straight up crazy, so maybe liking Monday's goes along with my weird thinking? Not sure if I am alone on this one? Lately however, something has changed... maybe my husband is starting to rub off on me......BUT I HATE MONDAYS. All it is, is a day start another repetitive week of work. So to combat this very negative thinking... have decided I need to change my attitude... and what better what to think of 5 things that I am grateful for small or big.... EVERY MONDAY!

1) Lets start off super conceited... I love my new anthropology coat purchased fully on a gift card from work... so technically a free new coat.. love it even more! 

sub gratitude: iphone mirror pics to get approval from husband lol lol.

2) Famoso becoming part of my diet at least twice a week. Who ever thought brussels sprout pizza could blow my mind so much. 

3) Surprising a friend a work with an ipod to help her out with her christmas shopping for her kids... giving is really better then receiving. 

4) Having a husband who woke up early this morning to start the crock pot to make cafe rio pull apart pork for tonight and who sends me hilarious texts like these...(yes he is the grey). Who buys a calendar these days.. let alone the one below?.... yup it is currently on our fridge. 

5) I am sorry but its true much to Darren's dismay... this is my favorite place at any time of the day...... I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR MY BED lol... yup I run to it everyday after work. The only good thing about a windowless basement suite is... it can be bed time whenever you want.

Now I wonder how I can start liking Tuesday's more.. lets me honest.. there is nothing good about a Tuesday..............