road trip!

 First new state! Still had a little energy at this point. It decreased quite a bit over the next several days.

 Probably the only friendly driving state on the entire trip. It seemed to get progressively worse.

 This says Oklahoma. David took it while he was driving. I was asleep. I am a little sad I missed it:

 North Carolina was a welcome site because we knew we would get to stop and play with cousins for a couple days.

 Finally here!

 Our new home:

Come visit us!

saying goodbye

We ended up having some extra time in California so we took advantage of it. First, I went with my friend Heather, who I have known since I was 1 year old, to visit the houses where we grew up next door to each other. Luckily, the people that now live there did not see us taking these photos or I am sure they would have been somewhat weirded out.

Us in front of the houses. 992 Amherst street. Mine on the right, hers on the left. That tree used to be tiny.

A couple days later I decided to take David to Universal Studios for his first visit ever.

He was so excited. Especially on the backlots tour where you get to see all the old movie sets and learn how movies and tv shows are filmed. It takes a little of the magic out of it, but it is still so awesome to see. Look how happy he was!

Here are just a few others from the day.

I'm Movin' On

Goodbye...

My last day of work is finally here!  We have had orders to Washington DC since August and now it is finally getting real. It is kind of scary, but I am mostly just really excited to move and get settled and start enjoying our new adventure. And have I mentioned that this is a SHORE DUTY assignment. So heavenly. So if anyone has the time, feel free to come visit us out East. San Diego will be in our hearts forever because we had our first home together here, but home can be anywhere for us as long as we are together. That being said, my West Coast roots run deep and this California girl will probably never be an East Coast lady. But it will be fun for awhile!

Hello...

Charity NEVER faileth

I have been somewhat introspective the past few days as this chapter in our life comes to a close and another one will soon begin. I have also been reflecting on our difficult journey toward parenthood, and what a struggle it has been. I have not been super open about it in the past, but I have found, the more open I have been the more support I have been offered by those around me and that is definitely needed. This past Sunday we had a Relief Society (our all female class at church) lesson about parenthood and the command given by our Heavenly Father to have children. I have had a really hard time grasping the fact that there is a commandment I have been given that Heavenly Father has (so far) not allowed me to keep. It is very confusing and frustrating and lots of tears have been shed over the fact. This sunday was no different, and the lesson left me sobbing. But this time I was joined by another military spouse like myself, a new friend of mine who recently moved here, and who also struggles with this very issue. After the lesson had ended we recieved an amazing amount of love from the other women in the room. When we first arrived, I didn't think I would have much in common with the women in my ward and I worried that I would not connect with them or fit in very well. They all seemed to be much older than I, and at VERY different points in their lives. But I came to find out, as I have so many times before, that my Heavenly Father is very aware of me and my needs and these women were just what I needed. They truly love each other without judgement and without any of the clique-ish design that is so common in women's organizations. They support each other in quiet, thoughtful ways and they are exactly what God intended the Relief Society organization to be. I will forever remember what they taught me about being a virtuous, valient, faithful woman. I wish I could stay a bit longer, but I know there will be another amazing group of women for me to join on the other side of the country who will continue to help me become the woman I was designed to be.

A Valentine's Day Love Note

My husband is a man of very little words. He is more into actions. He tells me he loves me every day, which I so appreciate, but beyond that not much is said. He usually lets Hallmark do the talking and signs his name at the bottom. He spent this Valentine's Day (like so many others before it) on the ship. Here is the note that came with very thoughtful gifts:

"Happy Valentines Day!!! I love you and I cannot wait to get home and SMOOCH!" 

I will be waiting dear. Come home soon.<3

Pre-Valentine's Day love note

I am a big proponent of showing mushy love on random days, and not just once a year (though I am a fan of the pink stuff everywhere). So here is a love note written just for my love.

Dear Sweetheart,
I love you. I love the way you work so hard to support our little family. I love the way you hold me close when I am sad, and let me cry when I need to cry. I love the way you mumble when you sleep. I love the way you pray for us. I love the way you kick me out of the kitchen when you want to make dinner, and the way you are so proud of your hamburger helper. I love the way you always kiss me after being apart for any length of time...and I love that you don't care if people are watching. I love that you make me feel special and valued like no one else can. I love when you tell jokes only you would think are funny, and I love that I end up laughing anyway because your laugh is contagious. I love that you think "us time" is important and always try hard to make it happen. I love that you try hard to live your faith because it lets me know that you love and value our marriage. I love that we are best buds...forever. I love the way you dance in the car, and sing off key to all the songs (even though I pretend to be embarrassed).  I love the way you help keep our relationship strong when you are far away by always thinking of me. I love that your family is so important to you. I love that my family is important to you too. I love that you let me be crazy, and weird, and myself all the time. I love that you are crazy, and weird, and yourself all of the time. I love being married to you. Happy random Sunday. I love you. 

Love, Me

The Cell Phone Saint

So two days ago I lost cell phone in Kohls (please do not tell my husband). Saddest part was I did not even realize it until my little sister sent me a Facebook message telling me to go pick it up at the customer service department. I guess the lady who found it in the dressing room turned it in. Of course I panicked and and ran back over to the store where there was an unusually long line in the customer service area. Finally I got to the front of the line and got my phone back. *big sigh of relief*. And then everyone else behind me line started exclaiming how sweet and amazing the stranger was that turned in the phone. Several people were even in shock that it got turned it at all (not going to lie, I was too. Good day to not have an i phone). They were literally singing praises and idolizing this good person who turned my phone in. Now don't get me wrong, I am definitely VERY grateful. I had heaven on my side for sure. But I think it is really sad that someone is praised as a saint for simply not taking something that is not theirs. When did the world get like this? Decency is so uncommon that it is more normal to steal than it is to be honest? I am still very thankful to have my phone back, but I am really sad at where society is headed.