Searle Shenanigans

Due

2012-05-03T07:41:00.003-07:00

This month is the month I would be due if I had not miscarried. I can't believe how FAST it has gone by. It's hard. The emotions come back every once in a while. Mostly just because I want to be a mom SO bad. But our time will come and we CANNOT wait.

Marriage is Fun

2012-05-01T12:30:00.001-07:00

It's funny how living with someone changes you. Of course for the better!

I hated potatoes, cheese and symphony bars (oh the horror) before we got married, amongst other things...like mexican food. All of these I now LOVE! (which reminds me....I've got mashed potatoes in the fridge....excuse me......)
I was a BIG baby. I couldn't do anything for myself. But I think that I've matured a ton! I'm not afraid to make important phone calls, ask important questions or even say NO. This is a big deal folks...I was married young iiiiiighhhttttt. ;)
Priorities change. You care more for your spouse and responsibilities then yourself. Pretty fascinating.

This post is going nowhere. I just thought that it was funny.

Peace and Blessings.

Drawing and 2D Design

2012-04-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

What I've been up to ALL semester long...well most of it.

OVER!

2012-04-23T10:07:00.002-07:00

Well this semester is over! (officially thursday) But it's so nice! We start back up again though really soon for summer semester. Here's what I've been up to.

Photography Portfolio:( click on the photos)

Drawing to come.

About Dang Time...

2012-04-05T14:23:00.003-07:00

Well I think it's about time for me to write again. It's amazing how busy Randy and I have been! Randy is busy with school, preparing for the Athletic Training program at BYU. He will start that program in the fall and we'll have two years or so before Chiropractic school. It's been fun to attend his Pre-Chiropractic club meetings with him, especially when there's pizza ;) But it's really been good to learn about what he will be doing and investigating schools. We're pretty set on Dallas, Texas, but we shall see!

I have been trucking away at Utah Valley University working on a Photography degree. It's been challenging because I've had to take drawing classes---If you know me...you know I can't draw to save my life. But it's actually been really cool to see that I actually CAN draw...Just takes practice! I love this quote "To be creative, we must first lose our fear of being wrong." AMAZING! Everytime we start a new project, this comes to my mind. I never want to start because I'm afraid it will turn out awful. But I'm actually not bad! So I was planning out the next couple of semesters and if all goes well, I will graduate Fall 2013! It's nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout this whole process, I've had such a difficult time justifying a degree in Photography. I don't need a degree to do photography. But we felt it was the best way for me to get a degree in general and to learn and grow in Photography. I figured I would be taking classes and workshops anyways, so it's nice to be learning so much. Another thing I've struggled with is the fact that anyone would pick up a camera and consider themselves a photographer. Which sounds AWFUL! I know....But the term for it is Momarazzi. I know that that is how I started out and still my photography can't be categorized as mega profesh, but I've made it a goal to be the most amazing photographer that I can be. Every session I do, I try and take the best pictures and capture personalities. To capture moments and freeze time for families and new families. But I've always felt like I want to do something that helps people and changes the world :) Growing up, I wanted to be a marine biologist and help the sea animals. Next a nurse, then dental hygiene. But none of that seemed to work out. Photography literally just fell in my lap. Just popped up out of nowhere. And I'm so grateful and excited about it. I feel like maybe this is how I will change the world-Photography. I did just do a session of some little boys and their mom said that the pictures brought tears to her eyes. Um...that made my heart leap! It made me feel like I was important and can make a difference! Sometimes, I go to the temple on Wednesdays and for those of you who don't know, that's MTC day. So it's loaded with crying families. I've always wanted to go up and just take pictures for the families. Of course, no charge, but just to help them out. Anyways. I have vented....lay it on me folks.

So this last General Conference was so awesome! I always love getting answers to my questions. This time, I went with the questions of kids and family and amazingly, the whole first session (it seemed) was focused on Families! I've just learned that I need to prepare myself for a family and get ready for the responsibilities, spiritual and temporal, that it brings.

Well, other than that, we are rather quite boring. I had Spring Break (Randy did not), so I went up to Idaho to be with family and to take pictures! Check out www.Kayleighsearle.com for the pictures I took. Annoyingly, my teacher gave me a ton of homework that I was working on the whole time. But my mom, seester and brudda came down to hang out and I loved that! I love seeing them. We shopped, played Dance Central and just had fun together. Randy's friends also came down for Conference weekend and that was fun. We went to Randy's mission reunion and that is always fun. I love seeing Randy laugh and be happy around his mission buddies. Randy's friend Chase proposed to his girlfriend before they came down and that was fun to hear the news! I love his fiance and I know we will get along GREAT while them boys are sleddin'.

Randy and I bought the Insanity work out so stay tuned for super sexy bodies!

That's not going to happen. It's literally insane. But we are trying :)

Well..... PEACE AND BLESSINS'

Alive

2012-02-29T20:01:00.003-07:00

I know I have been very absent. This semester has been crazy and so busy. I plan to post my photography and art portfolios for you to show you what I've been up to. But we are surviving. We are at school all the time and any spare time we have we spend together.

Today I spent the day with Amy's kids. Four kids are a handful! But they are all so different and so fun. I've been thinking a lot about us and kids and what will happen with that. We will be meeting with the doctor next month to make sure I'm alright. But as for the hope for kids soon, I don't know about it. We never know what God has in store, but we know it's in his hands.

Hope your Leap Day is great!

Floppy Arms

2012-01-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the scene in Harry Potter (not sure which one) where he breaks his bone, then the Professor makes his bones disappear? Floppy arm??

I felt like that today....x2.

Have you ever slept on your arms all night and when you wake up, there's absolutely no feeling in them? Just floppy arms? I woke up this morning and BOTH of my arms were completely numb...all floppy like.

Usually I just use the other arm to pick up the numb one and shake it around to get the blood back flowing...but I was helpless today because BOTH were numb. So I sat up and just started rotating my body, twisting and flopping my lifeless arms around until the blood started flowing.

And I couldn't help but laugh hysterically at myself.

I'm trying to paint a visual...but I guess you could just do it yourself. Just let your arms hang lifeless and flail them around just using the velocity of your rotating body...

I'm a nerd.

I guess you had to be there....

Year in Review

2012-01-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Instead of typing out a lengthy post, I'll give you summaries/highlights and the link where you can read for yourself...because the originals are better...and I'm funny in them... ;)

January: Car Accident

February: Randy's Birthday Getaway-We brought his mission buddies up to the cabin and partied :)

March: My grandma passed away and I miss her and Grandpa terribly.

April: HOUSE REDO! (the beginning)

May: U2 Concert-Pure Heaven.

June: Girls Retreat and finish the House!

July: Get to know neighbors and spend 24 hours of Awesome with them!

August: 2 1/2 week trip to Idaho

September: Turned the big 2-1!

October: 1st Miscarriage

November: Thanksgiving! (link is in December...but the title fits the month :])

December: 2nd Miscarriage, Christmas, and New Years!

Anti-climatic?? Sorry! :)

2011 was an alright year...I've heard a lot of people say that 2011 just wasn't awesome for them and overall I agree. I had a lot of heartache and hard times. But I also had lots of fun and great family to support!! I've been greatly blessed and had many new things happen!

School turned out great! Zupas was good to me. Randy's been the best supportive husband ever! Hope that this year brings good things like a baby!! Third times a charm right??

As for last years "Resolutions" let's see how I did!

1. Begin and finish Thank You cards from wedding...By march at least.

(I know I'm bad...I'm trying...) CHECK!

2. Do lots of photography and put my name out there. KIND OF CHECK...Become more confident in my abilities and also learn more with classes and tips. CHECK!

3. Try new things. New food, new activities and new traditions. CHECK-ishhh.

4. Become fit and love myself.

(I know this is everyone's goal. But I want to enjoy being active and doing outdoorsy things. And by having more confidence in myself, I can improve my marriage.) WOW...sounds like my marriage was rough...which it wasn't...and not so CHECK. I didn't gain any weight though!

5. Take a vacation.

Anywhere... CHECK!

6. Fix up the house and make it a home. CHECK...for the most part.

7. Continue finding new hobbies and becoming more creative. Sure...CHECK!

8. Find my outgoing self once again and make some friends. CHECK!

Thank you to Kim and Vika, my visiting teachers and my sisters that I visit for making this happen! As for the outgoing....CHECK-ishhhh

9. Attend the temple as often as possible. CHECK!

10. Start school again. CHECK!

Not bad!!

For this year..it's pretty much the same...

1. Keep pushing the photography. Build website and portfolio. Know that I'm awesome :)

2. Become fit. Happy with myself.

3. Decorate house like I picture in my head :)

4. Keep doing well in school (4.0 baby!! I did great this semester!)

5. Be able to carry and pregnancy and if not, find out why I can't.

6. Become a better Christian. Love and spread the love.

7. Prosper with ACN and break this nervous bubble I'm in.

8. Love my husband more and more and more!

9. Attend Temple more oftener than before :)

10. Choose to be happy and make it happen!

Good luck to you with your resolutions!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-04T20:25:00.001-07:00

Our Christmas and New Years was so nice. It was a much awaited trip home and so good to be with friends and family.

We started off with Randy's parents because they would be leaving for Hawaii later in the week. We went to Texas Roadhouse...twice in one day :) Randy loved it! We had his parents house all to ourselves which was nice.

We went to my uncle Kents house for Christmas Eve where we do the typical nativity and open a few presents, eat and play.

Posing for the Camera

Sheny not wanting her picture taken.

My dad too.

Check out Don's face....on the left :)

Christmas Jammies!

Our awesome new ski/snow masks from Momma :)

Talking to my Brother who's in Peru on a Mission...You can check out his blog here.

Then we went to the Cabin. Randy's parents got a new sled and I LOVE it...Wanna see my awesome skills????

I'm being dragged....because I refuse to let go. :)

NO one messes with the pro :)

New Years was great! We got together with friends and played games all night...Randy and his brother and friend played COD til two en la mañana....Too much if you ask me! But I had my share of time wasting reading the HUNGER GAMES.

Most excellent read :)

Hope your Christmas and New Years was great!!!

Lord I'm Grateful

2011-12-12T20:33:00.002-07:00

So grateful for this last weekend. Randy and I have basically felt like we were in a limbo. We have finals this week, we just miscarried again, and trying to decide how to start this new year. Friday, we went to the temple to prepare for Stake Conference. It was so nice to be there and just feel the spirit. I felt like I wasn't so good at the paying attention part because the miscarriage was fresh on my mind. But it was just good to sit and feel the spirit. Just to sit in the temple and know all is well. Saturday we had the Adult session of conference. Elder M. Russell Ballard was presiding so that was so neat to have him there. I love that anytime an apostle or the prophet enters the room, immediate spirit. I learned a lot about having faith and turning your troubles and burdens over to the Lord. I feel so comforted in the decisions I've made since this weekend...I know it's only Monday, but a lot has happened. :) Hopefully finals turn out well and we'll just be able to relax. That's what I need most right now. Can't wait to see friends and family at home and celebrate this christmas season.

In reflection over this year, I can only say just how grateful I am for all we've been blessed with. I have grown so much I feel just in the last 6 months with all that's happened. You have to love adulthood and the responsibilities and challenges it brings. But with God, all things are possible. We are so grateful for family and all they do for us. We love our neighbors and learning to love the ward we're in and those who bless us.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Again...

2011-12-07T16:42:00.001-07:00

Well I guess you all need an update. We miscarried....again. But we will be going in to see what we can do to keep our next pregnancy a permanent one! Thank you for all your prayers and support :)

Our Boring, Busy Lives.

2011-11-29T16:26:00.001-07:00

Hello world...have you missed me?? :)

Well updates.

School is good. Almost over..and I can tell because my attention span is declining hardcore.

That flu bug that's been going around....ya...we had it.

We started our own business with ACN and we offer you the services you already use like dishTV, comcast, verizon, sprint, etc. TV, Internet, cell phones, home phones. So if you need a new subscription, come to us and support us and our business instead of corporate america! ;)

Thanksgiving was grand. We went to Idaho and saw my family and spent Thanksgiving with Randy's family in Island Park. He loved the sledding!!

We had our own little Thanksgiving with my family on sunday...

Wanna hear the sucky part...

I couldn't dig in like past years and eat like it was my last meal on this earth.

Why you ask?

I was just feeling really sick and stuff...because I'm pregnant again!

WHOOHOO!

Can I just let you in on a secret (that's probably not a secret and so obvious to the world?)-I'm so terrified of the possibility of miscarrying again. This one feels a little different though so we'll see.

But I was thinking about how I didn't tell anyone the last time because I was afraid of miscarrying. And I think it's silly.

I wish those around me knew I was pregnant and then miscarried. I think it would have made things a little easier. But I was ASHAMED. Miscarriage is nothing to be ashamed of. YOU did nothing. YOU are not an unfit mother. It just happened-probably for the benefit of all. And talking about it afterwards actually really helped me. It may not help others, but it helped me and helped to have the sympathy of others.

So I'm telling the world. And if it happens again, I'll have my friends and family behind me.

I thank God everyday for the blessing and pray for the best...will you???

Peace and Blessins'

Amazing people in my life

2011-10-19T09:18:00.002-07:00

Thank you to all my friends and family for the flowers :)

Thank you to my mom who kept me busy and cleaned the house and made it cute :)

Thank you to all who have said so many kind words and kept us in your prayers. Needless to say, we survived midterm week!

OK

2011-10-14T10:13:00.001-07:00

Article from LDS.org

Basically this describes everything I'm feeling. Although we were only about 2 months along, it still really hurts. There was a little one inside me.

I think for every mother there is an instant bond. It's just hard to believe that I'm not pregnant anymore; there's nothing growing inside. I'm also mostly worried about Randy. Society believes that the husband isn't affected. But this was OUR baby. WE miscarried. I pray everyday that he will be ok.

It's been AMAZING having my mom down here and helping out. She's helped me get out of the house and be productive. But I think I need a day to just not do anything. Just sit.

"Generally, the grieving process moves slowly from shock and numbness, through searching and yearning, to disorientation and depression, and finally to acceptance and an ability to enjoy life without feeling guilty." (From above article.)

PERFECTLY describes everything.

I'm ok...but I'm not.

I'm happy...but I'm hurt and sad.

I'm focused...but my thoughts are all over the place.

It's all just a mixture. It's hard especially with the pressures of school and an upcoming amazingly hard test. I basically just want to crawl into a ball and escape everything. But again, at the same time, I want to conquer and do amazing things.

I'm sorry that I'm just throwing everything out there, but it helps and it's a part of my life.

I feel like I just needed to share this. Lately, on Pandora, I've been listening to "Explosions in the Sky" radio. All instrumental, but not like classical music. I love it because with each song, I can make up my own story or interpret the song the way I see it. This one really hit me this week.

It basically explains (to me) exactly how I feel. The song starts out with the static-y noise. Then you hear the piano, but it's distant. That's how everything has just kind of been. Like I'm in my own world and I can see and hear things, but they are far and distant and I'm reaching or running towards it. By the time I get close, it ends.

Randy and I can't wait to start trying again. We know that we are at the right time in our lives to start our family and bring a little one into the world. We know that Heavenly Father gives us these trials to LEARN and to GROW. I know it helps that I have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and eternal families. Without it, I don't even want to begin to think of how I would be coping. Everything is just kind of a blur. But everything is OK. I've had the most comforting feelings.

The day after it happened, I was standing by the window, just feeling the suns rays and loving the sun on my face. My eyes were closed, but I could feel and even see the sun getting brighter and brighter and brighter. I opened my eyes to see if any clouds had moved out of the way because it felt like the sun was coming out from behind clouds. But there weren't any. I know that was Heavenly Father letting me know that all is well and he's aware of my sorrows. Knowing that makes everything better. :)

Goodbye.

2011-10-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

WARNING-THIS POST CONTAINS KIND OF GRAPHIC DETAILS (BLOOD)

You've been warned.

Alright. So I've been going back in forth on whether or not I should blog about this. But I've decided that it's something that I shouldn't be ashamed of and that writing about it could be therapeutic. Also, I'm not writing this so that you all will feel bad for me. With all that said here it goes.

Sept. 18, 2011- I had just gotten home from visiting teaching and it was my 21st birthday. I was about a week overdue on my period so I thought just for kicks I'll take a pregnancy test. I'm somewhat unpredictable in the Aunt Flo department. So I took the test, and it came out POSITIVE! I was sooooo excited and couldn't wait to tell Randy and our families.

Oct. 5th, 2011-One more week until our 1st appointment. I was so exited to see and hear baby. I was 8 weeks pregnant and so far it had been really easy. No sickness really and just exhaustion and heartburn.

Oct. 10, 2011- I get home from work and change and notice blood. I fall to the ground and start bawling-heaving sobbing and plead with Heavenly Father that the baby is ok and that this is just light spotting from my uterus growing. I'm still bawling when Randy gets home from school and I tell him what's up. We pray and he gives me a blessing that me and baby will be ok. I'm 9 weeks. While he was giving me a blessing and while we prayed, we had a feeling of peace. That everything would be ok. We didn't know if that meant that baby was ok, or that we'd be ok if baby was gone.

Oct. 11, 2011- I get up and the bleeding is worse, the cramping is worse. I skip school and lay in bed all day. By 1 pm, the cramping is to the menstrual cramping point and the blood is heavier. I'm panicking. So we head to the ER. After blood tests, urine test, two ultrasounds and 3 hours of waiting, they come in to tell me that there is no baby and that they believed that I miscarried. The ultrasound tech couldn't find a baby and my cervix was open. The hormones were still high and we're going in tomorrow to make sure they're going down.

I was devastated. I was stoic when he told me, but as soon as he left, the waterworks were on.

Why??

How??

These questions keep coming to my mind. I'm absolutely heartbroken. I really wanted this child and couldn't wait to see it today. My heart goes out to all those ladies that have lost a child in pregnancy. It's the worst. I just wanted to hold him/her. I just wanted to love him/her.

I can't wait for the millennium to see him/her. I can't wait to meet him/her and let him/her know how much I love them.

Maybe there was something wrong? Maybe my body just wasn't ready for this first one? Maybe he/she was too special to come to this crazy world. He/she is incredibly lucky to be back with our Heavenly Father and our Brother Jesus Christ.

I'm incredibly happy for those of my friends that are pregnant! It will be hard to see them grow and think that I would be at that stage too. But I have faith that all will work out. All I know is I can't wait to start trying to conceive again and have a little one inside me again. We're going in today to talk to my doctor and make sure everything is ok and ask him my questions and concerns.

Thanks to all my friends and family that have been so supportive and been a shoulder to cry on.

Oompa Loompa Doompatee Dawesome

2011-09-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

I will never forget the day that I saw an Oompa Loompa at BYU-Idaho. I was studying on the second floor of the library which is the quiet floor. No talking allowed!

Out of the corner of my eye I see something darting around.

It was an Oompa Loompa. No freaking joke. It was around Halloween and he was just running around doing cartwheels and jumping out of places. It took everything I had not to laugh out loud. When I laugh out loud, it's a loud blurt and it's hard to keep in.

I wish I had seen him again. It made my day :)

What made me think of this?

A guy dressed like Linx from Legend of Zelda.

Ya.

People never cease to amaze me.

Here.

2011-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still here I promise :)

I'll just give you a little summary of the last month!

1) We went to Idaho for 2 1/2 weeks. So grateful for Zupas and them letting me go! We spent time in Yellowstone, Island Park and Shelley. We took lots of pictures and rented a really nice lens to do that with :) We went boating and watched football. We saw friends and celebrated weddings and people in love. Including us! We celebrated our 1st anniversary! Woot Woot!

Mile High Stadium-boooo broncos :)

two top...where we got engaged :)

Go to here for a couple Yellowstone pictures.

I loved catching up with friends that we miss so much.

1. Ali and Chase.

LOVE THEM. I swear that Ali and I are twins switched at birth...that look nothing alike. I really just love being around her and talking about everything. Miss her a lot.

2. Kallie and Dusty.

Dusty is a new friend, but Kallie loves him...so we do too! hahaha no he's a great guy. We went to their wedding, luncheon and reception and when he was talking about them and their relationship leading up to marriage, I got all choked up and warm fuzzy inside. He's a great guy for her! Miss Kallie looked GORGEOUS on her wedding day. DANG GINA!

3. Kassidy and Cody.

SO glad they're getting married and can't wait to go celebrate that with them this weekend. I went to Kass' bridal shower while we were up there and it was so much fun to just sit and chat and talk about the life she is about to embark on! Good times ;)

4. Ty and Natalie.

Can I just say that I love this couple. They are so in love and it's so fun to see. Ty is one of Randy's mission companions. And Natalie is so fun. I hope to become closer to her in the future.

2) School started. Yuck. I haven't been back for a whole year and I was SOOOOO scared for my first day. Because Satan is a bully and put scary thoughts in my head :( But Randy gave me a blessing and all went well. The transition from play to work and school was a smooth one. I'm doing photography and loving the classes. Lots of memorization and thinking though. Dang Art Degree :P

Basically that is it...If I gave you a detailed summary, we'd be here til the world ends (which according to the mayans is real soon, so thank me that you won't be stuck here when that rolls around! :) )

Peace and Blessins'

Thank You.

2011-08-03T14:21:00.002-07:00

Yesterday wasn't a very good day. I woke up feeling way crappy and with sharp pains in my stomach. I'm usually nauseous every morning anyway, so I didn't think much of it. (NO I'M NOT PREGNANT.)

Work was not fun. All I wanted to do was go home and curl up in bed. But I got off an hour early and slept, kinda. Then Randy got home and was making sure I was alright and bringing me stuff anytime I ~~demanded~~ asked for it. He really is the best. But it was just getting worse and worse to the point I was just laying on the bathroom floor, ready for anything to happen. I was so weak and my stomach hurt so bad. So I asked Randy to give me a blessing. He asked our neighbor to come over (p.s. thank you SO much Mark) and they gave me a blessing. I just wanted it to be over with. So after the blessing, I went up to camp out by the toilet again and not less than 60 seconds after the blessing was over, I was throwing up (sorry...TMI???) ferociously. And my husband says I sound like a man....I can't help that! I'm just heaving!! So after a good minute of that, no kidding, my stomach ache was gone and my belly just wanted food.

How freakin' awesome is that. Even though I probably would have just liked my stomach to cease churning and rumbling, God let that bug out of my body fast and I felt so much better. It was the coolest thing..maybe just to me? Who knows. All I know is that the priesthood is so powerful and we need to ask for those blessings more often. I'm so grateful for my husband who was able to bless me and for him and mark being worthy enough to hold and use that power. SO COOL!

Well in other news. I've kind of put my photography on hold. I want to be more familiar with my camera and other things before I start charging people. If that makes sense. I start school soon and who knows, maybe I'll start shooting again. But I still love it. I just want to be the best I can be for the people that are trusting me to do this. But I did kayrevamp the blog...take a looksy???? http://kayleighsearlephoto.blogspot.com/

7 days until our 18 day vacay in Idaho+Anniversary+Friends and Family. So excited!

Peace and Blessins'.

Forevuh....

2011-07-18T16:42:00.003-07:00

Click on Pictures for bigger views :)

Alrighty.... This post is a long time coming. I've been meaning to update for lets see...forever...

I just haven't found the time...or allowed myself too with so much other things to do.

Lets start with June..

Cara's wedding-

Randy's cousin Cara got married the very beginning of June and I had the privilege to take the pictures! She was most beautiful and it was my very first time attending a temple marriage since I've been married. It was excellent to relive those memories!

Then it was off to Park City with Randy's extended family to get to know each other better and have LOADS of fun! We stayed in a nice resort, fine dined, shopped, swam, relaxed, and played hard! Especially on the Alpine Slide, Alpine Coaster and Zipline. (Refer to post below...)

Then...basically nothing really fun that I can remember, but you can't really trust this brain of mine...get's jumbled!

July-

July 4th was amazing. Originally my family was supposed to come down but they "eh-hem flaked eh-hem" couldn't come. They decided to do it the good old Idaho Falls way. Nothing wrong with that at all! But let me back track. So the 2nd of July was the Stadium of Fire when basically all of Provo gets together and watches fireworks-We went to Transformers then watched them from the roof of our house. Holidays get less and less exciting the older you get.

But the 4th was grand! We hung out with our neighbors on University Ave. (where the parade was going to be held the next morning.) It was crazy fun. Just chatting with neighbors and getting to know them better. Randy and I also took part in a raffle and I won a $50 gift card to a day spa and salon...wondering what I'd ever use there! :)

We also got a big surprise!

My bishop pulled up on a beast of a bike! It was so beautiful and I was so surprised to see him on it!

My 4th of July shoes :)

We rode bikes basically the whole weekend....

Yes sir he does!

"NO"bama

So I guess it's cool in Utah for all the runners up to get the same dress...personally...I think it's lame.

LOVE^^^^

YOU

CAN

RENT

THESE COSTUMES!!! Yes please!?!?!

They got the most applause...

As they should :)

Little pageant girls...gag me....

It was a great night. We stayed out way too late and got up way too early!

We went to 7 Peaks after the parade and it was not even crowded-it was a great 4th of July!

Lets see-

Work has been great! Working a lot!

We recently took a trip to Idaho-I shot rifles and shot guns...And loved it. My husband says to me, "Welcome to country life."

LOVE IT.

We've just planned out our 18 day vacay to Idaho in August. We will be celebrating our 1st Anniversary! Can you believe it?!?!

We can't wait to go to Island Park, Yellowstone, the Playmill, see our friends get sealed for Time and all Eternity, and relax :)

Grateful and House Reveal-Warning Picture overload

2011-06-15T10:13:00.003-07:00

Today I'm grateful for all that I have.

I went Visiting Teaching this morning and the lesson was on Self Reliance. Now the first thought that came to my mind when I saw that was canning and food storage. But it is so much more than that. It's being able to care for others, emotionally and physically. It's being able to help and serve other. It's about being able to be grateful for what you have and work for what you don't.

I'm just so grateful for the things that I have. I can't believe how selfish and whiney I was about this house. It is so beautiful and we're so lucky to have it. I'm warm and have a place to rest my head.

I have a husband who works so hard to provide and to get a good education so he can provide for us.

I'm grateful for my talents. :) We talked about it today and I just kept thinking how grateful I am for my piano, photography, dance and many others. I just hope to not lose them. I need to find outlets to express and practice my talents.

I'm grateful for Randy's family. This week we went to Park City and it was so fun! We met in Salt Lake City In a cute place called Buca di Beppo. It had the cutest atmosphere with all these old pictures and vintage items.

We were in the Pope's room. Basically it's a big round room with a dome ceiling so that you can hear everyone, even those across the HUGE table. This was in the middle on a lazy susan. They have the lazy susan so you can order big platters and share it with everyone. Genius and so fun! :)

Don't judge me....but the next photos were all in the bathroom. Yes, they all thought I was weird and probably a perve for bringing my camera in, but seriously, this was just too awesome to not take pictures.

Full on "medicine" cabinet with all things vintage feminine.

Yes....this floored me. That says PLACENTA...ya...

Ya me too ^ :)

sick. but awesome.

So then we went to Park City and checked into the resort. It was amazing and roomy and so nice except for one thing....

ANTS!

Pretty funny, but gave me the willies. The front desk was appalled, but they couldn't change us to another room because they were booked. So they came and sprayed.

They had a steam shower and a huge jet tub. Also, my favorite part was the "Adult Relaxation Pool." Um one word. AMAZING. Nice big shallow pool, bathwater warm with a waterfall. So nice to just sit in there and relax. Then of course a jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna. Most excellent.

Then, we went to Park City Resort where they have an Alpine Coaster, An Alpine Slide and a Zipline. SO FUN!

Alpine Slide.

You're on a little cart and you're in charge of the brakes, in between your legs and you can choose how fast you go.

Alpine Coaster.

This one I refused to hit the brakes and I was hauling. It's so fun and it was all of our favorite! (That doesn't make sense, basically we all loved it.)

Then the Zipline was just a straight shot down the mountain. It was scary sitting up there and waiting but it was so exhilarating. I loved it!

Then we just relaxed and had fun. The next day we shopped for a LONG time and I got alot of stuff for Randy because he really needed light colored shirts for the summer and I got the cutest Owl necklace. Love it.

Seriously this weekend was so fun. The food was great, the company was fantastic and the fun was unforgettable. It was nice to have a vacation but I'm so glad I'm done traveling for a while, it takes alot out of a person. Especially living out of a suitcase.

But it was so fun.

I'm so glad I was able to get to know Randy's family better and have fun with them. His Grandma is a HOOT! She always makes me smile :)

So...I'm sure you've forgotten by now, but we did finish our house. We just have some hanging up to do and painting the lighting fixtures, but it looks TEN times better! Things are still a little messy, but that's just from day to day living.

Here's some during pictures...basically guys, it was not fun. Basically the devils kingdom is the best way I can explain it. I was just not happy and it was so jumbled and messy.

Here it goes!

Funny story. I had to shower at the neighbors house because the toilets were in the bathtubs....good times :)

Ya the tall ceilings were not fun....that ladder terrified me...

Click to read small print

Can I just say how GLAD I am that it's all over???

Peace and Blessins'

P.s. Check out the sessions I've done over at Kayleigh Searle Photography. Newborns and Babies!!

Plus I started Pinterest after being so determined to not do it because I knew I'd get obsessed...Ya...

Baby, Wedding and Temple trips :)

2011-06-02T10:55:00.001-07:00

Today will be a nervous day.

Here's the sitch:

Like two days ago, I posted on Craigslist offering my services. The only one that didn't get removed (don't ask why the bridal, engagement, and family posts got deleted...Craigslist is sometimes retarted..) is the Newborn photography one. I said that I had never done it before and that I wanted practice and I got a PLETHORA of responses. So I took it down. I don't want to completely overwhelm myself! So the first one is today...in 30 minutes.

Scared out of my mind.

Just because it's kind of a big deal. Just kind of.

So we'll see how it goes. I just hope they like the pictures and that I will do a good job. I know that I have the "skills" to do well, but first times are nerve-wracking.

ANYWHO!

Tomorrow, Randy's cousin is going through the temple and we're excited for that. She get's married the next day and I'll be taking the pictures for that. Also a bit nerve-wracking. And then Olive Garden. :) So excited!

Welp-guess what I did yesterday...I rode my bike to work. It's about 6 miles, 1 of which is completely uphill (on the way). It makes me want to throw up. But it's nice for on the way home :) I love my bike, but my bum is sore! hahaha...but seriously.

Welp-I'll be posting pictures soon of all the shenanigans :)

Peace and blessins'

Grateful

2011-05-28T12:10:00.001-07:00

hat I'm grateful for today:

Family

A clean house

All my mismatched furniture and decor so that my house can be my home. :)

U2-all music in general

Priesthood blessings

The knowledge I have of the restored gospel

My talents

My job

My husband and his cuteness

Food

Warm weather

Nieces and nephews

A warm home

A car...or two :)

My health

OF COURSE there are so many more :)

This is all for now.

Peace and Blessins'

Best Day EVER...besides my wedding day :)

2011-05-26T13:21:00.002-07:00

OH MY LANTA.

Guys.

Let me tell you about the best day ever.

This last Tuesday.

Salt Lake City.

Rice Eccles Stadium.

Adam.

Larry.

The Edge.

Bono.

U2.

AMAZING!

From the moment they stepped out, to the moment they left, I had a big ol' smile on my face.

This was Randy's first concert.

He loved it.

I wish that we had been on the floor with my family so we could have rocked out, but regardless of where you were, it was spectacular.

I grew up listening to U2. In the car, at my house, anywhere. They were a staple and you could always find a CD of their's anywhere.

My favorite part was seeing sexy Larry.

Seriously check him out...Mmmmmm.

They are all shexy. Besides Adam...he's a little goofy looking. Just saying.

(Adam, the Edge, Bono, Larry)

Seriously they put on an AMAZING show. I didn't want to leave. They are so fun and love to engage with the crowd. It's funny. I feel like I know them personally. I see them on stage and I'm thinking, "Ya that's my boy Bono." :) I think if I met them though, I'd poop my pants. Seriously.

It's my dream.

(Not to poop my pants. To meet them.)

The thing I love most about them, is the music. Their lyrics are genius.

"All I Want is You"

You say you'll give me eyes in the moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest.
All the promises we make, from the cradle to the grave
When all I need is you.

He can promise everything on this world, but all I want and need is my Randy Shmmandy :)

Basically the whole song "Beautiful Day" is magic. My favorite part is:

What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
What you don't have you don't need it now
You don't need it now, you don't need it now
Beautiful day

Okkkkkkk. I was going to do a bunch of songs, but there are too many that are just too awesome. Seriously though, words to live by.

I listen to their songs and look at my life and wonder what I can change.

While at the concert, I realized that this world, including myself, is just so selfish and out of line with reality. I want to focus more on others and who and how I can help and life would be happier. Be grateful for what I have and for the things that I've been blessed to do and people I've met. God is good. He loves us and wants to bless us. All around us are blessings. Get out of our own little world and see what's going on around us. Have fun. Life a fun life and love the life you live. Play hard, work hard. Be kind. Be true. Be you.

Google them :)

Love you U2.

Watch this

I Love Family and Idaho and Pictures :)

2011-05-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

So basically,

Randy and I can't wait to move back to Idaho.

Obviously, it will be awhile.

But we just love it so much.

We love our small town:

Nice People

No Speed Demons

...you get the point.

Utah is nice it really is.

Just not for us

So today. I was putting on my makeup and doing my hair and my niece came in and watched me, and wanted some too. So we did makeup and hair together. She is a doll. Not shy AT ALL. Loves everyone and can find anyone to play with. We should all be more like that. Just saying.

And then a nephew comes in and says, "My mom sometimes puts makeup on me too."

It made me laugh out loud.

I love the nephews and nieces I "inherited" by marrying Randy.

I love all darndest things they say and the hilarious made up words, stories, etc.

So fun and so cute.

Today, I took my sister and her friends on a photoshoot for her birthday. Super fun girls. We just went up to Idaho Falls and walked around taking pictures.

you'll have to check my picture blog for updates!

Kind of taking a break from pictures for awhile. Too much going on in the last couple of weeks and weeks to come. Sorry!

Hmmm. SO guess what world.

I changed my major to Photography.

I'm happy...except not looking forward to the drawing class. . . . hahaha I'm not so good at that.

Well. Just wanted to leave a little blurb :)

Peace and Blessins'

Almost done!

2011-05-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm pretty much regretting that last post. In fact- I'm deleting it. Sometimes it just feels good to let it all out. I apologize to those who read it. We were just having so much going on and it was so frustrating.

BUT-

It's almost reveal time of all the painting and carpeting. (it's not going to be AMAZING, but it's a change.)

What we've been up to:
Keegan called Sunday. It was so good to hear his voice and talk for a bit. I only got to talk to him for literally 2-3 minutes. But it's all good. My parents were the ones that really needed to talk to him and ask him questions.

Randy started his summer semester. He's glad he's not taking a ton of classes because his Physics class is killing him!

We planted our flower bed. It looks so good!

We started our vegetable/fruit garden, but we still have lots to do!

We've got new carpet in and it's luxurious ;)

We've got all the rooms but our bathroom painted.

I'll be starting school in the fall and really I'm already half way done. All my classes transferred and it was SHWEET!

hmmmmm that's really all. We're kind of lame :)

Peace and blessins'