Lists

Here's my thought process on blog posting over the course of four to five weeks:

"I should post on my blog."

"Oh, I actually have nothing interesting to say, never mind."

"Hmm, it's been a while, I should really update the blog."

"I guess I could post about so-and-so upcoming event."

"Nah, I'll wait until that gets a little closer."

"Well, that event has passed, but I don't have time right now because this is coming up this weekend."

"Crap, now I have three or four things to write about, and it's all too overwhelming, and I don't have the time right now!"

So, you're getting a review list with photos.  Before I get overwhelmed and decide to quit.

 

 //That time we went to the drive-ins to watch Despicable Me 2 and eat WAY too much candy//

 (Also, how great has it been to have friends with whom to have fun summer activities?  If not for married friends, I feel certain Ray and I would be absolute shut-ins.)

//That time I had my 27th birthday, and Ray spoiled me with a trip to Lagoon.  And also I made my own strawberry-lavender cake, and had so much fun with it.  People insisted I shouldn't make my own birthday cake, but I looooove doing it, and I should get to do things I love on my birthday, darn it!

Oh, and also we went birthday weekend camping and hiking.  And it was awesome.  I want to spend every day of my life in the mountains and camping.  It's special and magical, and makes me feel so rejuvenated.  City life makes me anxious.//

//That time when my sweet great grandma Brimhall passed away.  She is an amazing, strong, funny, feisty woman, and I'll truly miss her cute smile and her thrill for life.  I had the opportunity to choose the flowers on behalf of the great grandchildren, and it felt bittersweet to think of her and what she might like best.

I also got to spend last night helping my grandparents go through her house and sort things into DI piles.  While it was a little heartbreaking, it was also beautiful to remember her through all the little notes and music and books, clothing and dishware;  I even got to take quite a few items home to treasure and remember her by.  See you soon, Grandma!//

//That time we went to our every-other-annual family Mesquite trip.  It's my favorite trip of the year.  We go to the same condo and do the same thing, and even though we are changed people every other year, there's a feeling of home and nostalgia and sameness that gives me so much comfort.

But it's even better every year because the grandkids grow up and get to experience it in different ways, and Ray got to join us for the first year.  The family just keeps getting bigger.  And this condo in Mesquite will always be a special place for us to gather and remember the years and make new memories.  Love.//

//That time when we had our first anniversary.  We went up to stay at Blue Boar Inn and eat amazing food and stay in the Charles Dickens room and read poetry as we hung out in the beautiful room.  Ray spoiled me like crazy with gifts, and I only gave him the one (quite thoughtful) gift.  He's a good man.  Midway is one of my most favorite places.  It's like camping and Mesquite in that it's a place where I feel quiet and happy inside. Things are simple.  It was a perfect place for us to think about and celebrate our first year together.

It's been an amazing first year, and our relationship has changed so much in so many good ways.  Love has grown, and I know Ray so well, and he knows me, too.  We still have so much to learn, though!  That can overwhelm me sometimes, but I'm also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to keep progressing in this relationship.  I'm so excited for the years to come!//

//That time we went to the Utah State Fair and ate polish corn dogs and saw the tiny adorable piglets and marveled over honey bees and giant vegetables and looked over the photo displays.  And ended the evening with Leatherby's because of course you do.  Again, thankful for fun friends and good times.//

And now, something different.

I know it's been quite a few weeks since my birthday, buuuut I make my birthday goal rules, so I don't mind too much.  I didn't make a birthday goals list last year because I was a little busy getting, you know, married.  But I missed having goals to accomplish, so here's the list this year!

1.  Daily short journaling

2.  Consistent morning prayers

3.  Monthly fast offering payments

4.  Read the monthly Ensign

5.  Go to the temple once per month

5.  Run a half marathon

6.  No sugar September (started Sept. 9)

7.  Get into the 140's

8.  Make granola bars

9.  Make croissants again

10.  Make a rack of ribs

11.  Make macarons

12.  Cook with anchovies

13.  Move into a new apartment

14.  Dust at least once a month

15.  Do a closet purge

16.  Sew something big

17.  Pay down our debt

18.  Go to Europe

19.  Get pregnant (eek...)

20.  Go to the Zoo Lights

21.  Read 12 books

Some of these things are rather scary and/or personal... so it's a good thing you guys are my friends!  I trust you to support me/not make fun/not be judgey/be excited!