All these things shall give thee experience

Man alive I have not blogged in almost a month (tomorrow). And that's definitely got to change. Honestly though, I can't say I've wanted to blog. There's nothing exciting or funny going on as of late and all it would be is just complaining and whining about how much I miss Dan and being alone sucks. Word.

But, my tune is about to change very soon. Dan is coming home next week!! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am about that. I'm so glad that he's going to be home and we won't ever have to be apart like this again. Seriously, if you ever have a choice: don't do this. It's awful. I won't lie to you or spare you the details. I cry a lot. And I've decided I really hate being alone. I miss my friends. I've been looking back on the pictures from Thatcher and it makes me so depressed. I really never thought I'd miss that one horse town, but I do. And I miss Arizona....a lot. Call me crazy, but I miss the desert and the cactus and the dirt.

I didn't get too attached to Texas...actually I was never attached to Texas...because I knew it was temporary. I went into that experience knowing it was temporary. Probably why I was glad to leave it. I miss the girls there. I miss going to the gym and dragging Jaynee along with me. I miss laying out at the pool and having real conversations with Jaynee and Abby (probably the only real social contact we had all day till our husbands came home). I miss Maria and the boys. They're a bunch of little spit fires, but you can't help but love them.

At the end of the day, I really just miss Dan and want so badly for him to be here. This bed has never felt so big and empty. I find myself sleeping in the middle so it doesn't feel that way. I'm sure Dan won't appreciate that too much when he gets here and I'm in his space.

But in retrospect, all of these things have forced me (yes forced...because I didn't choose this willingly) to grow up a little bit more, to still rely on myself for things, and to rely on my Heavenly Father. I really think I've said more prayers in the middle of the night in the last 2 weeks than I have in a long long time. But He's there. And I know He's there. He hears me and He is answering my prayers each and every day, because most days I can wake up and find something to smile about. The great weather outside, the mini work out I get every day from those atrocious stairs (they're still kicking my butt), and my cute little apartment that I get to come home to every day.

My sister in law, now she's something else. She's got strength that I hope in time to find within myself. She reminded me that I need to rely on the Lord, and that even though it won't take the loneliness away, His love can provide a sense of comfort. I've been learning that too. Slowly but surely, I'm recognizing Him more and more every day in my life. I hope this isn't setting me up for something bigger though. That would not be cool. But if that's what is asked of me, then that's what I'll do.

I was walking to my car Wednesday after class and it was definitely a downer day. I couldn't help but feeling alone and abandoned almost. The phrase from a scripture "all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy benefit" popped into my head. I just helped me to see that I am being watched over, He knows what I'm going through, and He's not leaving me alone.

Anyway, this has been kind of a downer post. It totally wasn't supposed to be. But I guess, for me at least, I don't hide how I feel. I'm getting a little big stronger. I can say though, that out of this experience, I've gained so much respect for anyone who has had to be without their husbands or wives for extended amounts of time. They are amazing. Hands down.

"Do not pray for easier lives. Pray to be stronger."

The BIG 2-0!

Wow, I'm on a freaking blogging rant today. My bad. So my birthday is coming up in just a couple of days and Dan keeps asking me what I want. And to be completely honest, I don't really want anything. I'm still relishing in all the gifts we got from our wedding, so there's not anything that I want, and there's definitely nothing that I need.

But I do really want this movie. 

It's pretty much the best movie ever, and I absolutely love the music.

More than anything though, I just want to spend time with this guy

And these guys

Anddddd these guys

And all of them

Now I really wish we could all be together again. But that won't happen for a while. It's a good birthday wish though. More than anything, I just want to be with the people that I love and the ones that love me. That would be the perfect day!

Sugar Cookies

....will be the death of me.

Seriously, I've had like 5 already.

Totally defeats the purpose of kicking my own butt when I went to the gym this morning.

But if you're feeling all "baking/homemaker" mood, you should try them.

They're practically sinful.

So if you're interested, follow this recipe.

I cooked them for 10 minutes and they were perfect!

Let's all get fat on sugar cookies and be happy!

Canker sores

No I don't have any, but Dan has a pretty good size one right on the inside of his lip. I feel bad for the poor guy because I frequently hit it, especially when I kiss him. I always forget it's there! So he put salt on it a couple of days ago and it still was hurting, so I told him that I had this Kank-x stuff that numbs it. Well, I'm pretty sure he loved it so much that he's addicted to it. Not really, but he does love it.

So the other night, he climbed in bed and gave me a big kiss! Immediately my lips started tingling though! The little fart had put it on his canker sore and then kissed me!!! So then my lips started going numb. I was so ticked off but it was so funny at the same time that I couldn't help but laugh pretty hard.

Then yesterday, we were reading scriptures and right in the middle of reading a word, he burped and then kept right on going.

Can I just say how much I love my husband! He's always making me laugh and I'm always so happy whenever he's here with me. I hope that we can keep laughing even when things get really hard and we can just keep smiling. Laughter's the best medicine.

Today I'm grateful

So I was writing in my journal this morning about an experience that had happened on Sunday and I realized that I'm leaving in 9 days. 9. We're not even in the two digits anymore. I find myself practically biting my tongue off so that Dan will go to work instead of begging him to stay. Begging him to just lay in bed with me and hold me for the rest of the day. I think that's my favorite part about our entire day. I get to wake up with his arms around me and go to bed with them around me. He came home for lunch and to go pick up our car from the mechanic shop. I was just relishing the moment and kind of taking it all in, and it's making me sad. I know that as soon as he hits his goal, he'll hit the road hard. But it's still crappy to think about being apart for so long. So I'm going to remind myself of everything I've been blessed with.

1. Gilbert-He fixed our car today and it runs so smoothly! It's not shaking anymore or anything, and the air conditioning works! And all for a little less that $200. Way better than the $1300 we got quoted!

2. School-As much as I'm dreading BYU, I'm kind of excited. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to gain an education and make something of myself.

3. The Temple-I called today to make an appointment for Dan and I to go to the San Antonio Temple next Wednesday. I'm so incredibly thrilled to finally be going again! I am going to love that in Utah we'll be so close to one.

4. Family-I've got the best family in the entire world. My parents that are always ready and willing to help or offer advice. My in laws that are also a wealth of information and knowledge that have helped Dan and I both with lots of advice as well.

5. Heavenly Father-He knows me so well, it's scary. He's always there for me and even when I feel alone during the day, He's there and is constantly reminding me that I'm never alone.

6. Dan-He's my rock and my strength. Jaynee told me about a month and a half ago when we were talking about how much we love our husbands that I'd be surprised and how much it grows. She was right. I love him so much more than I ever have and it just keeps growing as we sacrifice together, we go through trials together, and we always put the each other and the Lord first. I am so very grateful for him and everything he has sacrificed for me and to provide for our family. I'm so grateful that he married me. I'm the lucky one.

Lastly, I'm grateful my family is eternal. Forever. That's the best feeling in the entire world.

Let the good times roll

Lots and lots of good news and I'm just full to the brim with happiness about it! First of all, the air conditioning works. Let me say that one more time. THE AIR CONDITIONING IN THE CAR WORKS!! Yeah, this morning was pretty epic. We went down to the auto shop that the elder's quorum president had recommended to us, and it turns out that it's not going to cost us nearly as much because only one engine mount needs to be replaces!! We had originally gotten quoted $1300 to fix 3 engine mounts and the spark plugs and a couple of other things. It turns out this guy actually worked at a honda dealership so he knows them really well. Answer to prayers!

On a funnier note, Dan pulled the "Pull my finger" thing again....only this time it was HUGE! I was laughing so hard for seriously 10 minutes. It was just the kind of comic relief I needed. 

Last night, we were reading scriptures before we went to bed. We're trying to catch up because we've missed a couple of days and we want to finish the D&C before I leave for Utah. It was really interesting because there's obviously some things that I'm not going to completely understand that Dan does just from him serving a mission. It was fun to actually be "studying" with him and learning more about what they're talking about in the scriptures instead of just reading them to read them. We ended up being up till almost 1 and didn't even realize it till we'd finished. I felt so bad because he's probably super tired today, but I so enjoyed spending that time with him!

So I'm moving next week! That's so crazy! I'm still not packing/cleaning till next week though. It'll be way too depressing if I start right now. But some more good news! One of Dan's manager's told him that as soon as he hits his goal he can leave! So if he hits it in the middle of September he can pack up and come to Utah! I'm so excited because we won't be apart for nearly as long (hopefully!). 

Pull My Finger

So this is actually about a couple of things. I've been meaning to blog for a couple of days and I just keep putting it off, which isn't good either because then I just find more things to blog about and the posts end up being miles and miles long.

On a side note: I just thought you should know that my house is FINALLY clean (not that it's that hard to keep our little apartment clean, but it's been a 2 day project and now it smells delicious) and there's cookies in the oven. Yeah, our apartment smells AMAZING right now.

Back on topic. Sunday night, Dan and I drove down to the Congress Avenue Bridge to see the bats. Yes, bats. There's hundreds of them that fly out every night right as the sun is going down. It's a pretty big claim to fame here in Austin so we figured we should probably check it out while we're here. Now this bridge is over a HUGE river, and by huge I mean at least 3 times the size of the Gila River in Thatcher. It's a good size river. Anyway, we're walking down to get a seat in the shade on the grass and let me tell you, it smelled NASTY! Like nasty putrid river smell. Yuck. We were there for almost an hour before all the bats started coming out.

It was pretty insane the amount of bats that were flying out and around this bridge. We even got these cool pins when we went there. This nice old man was handing them out.

Oh and here's a cute picture of us. We love each other....clearly.

Then just the other night, we were sitting down eating dinner and we were laughing and joking about a lot of things. Mostly him blaming me for all his farts. Real mature I know, but we're mature kind of people. Haha that's a good joke! So Dan turns to me and has this super funny look on his face and says "Pull my finger." Well of course when anyone says this, you know it's about farting, but it rarely ever works. Just for kicks and giggles, I pulled his finger. He farted. Night made. It was absolutely hilarious. And right on cue too. I pretty much just love the crap outta him.

Oh and one last thing, so our AC in the car went out last week. Suck fest. It's been just a little toasty outside. So it only works on power 1 and doesn't circulate throughout the car. You pretty much have to shove your face right up next to the vent to keep from profusely sweating. No joke, I'm not even being dramatic at all. I purposely go grocery shopping at 8 in the morning just so I can have the windows down and still be at a comfortable temperature. And to top it all off, it's been the hottest week all summer. I'm talking 110, 115. Not exactly the weather you want to be driving in without the blessed air conditioning. On the bright side, we've saved a TON in gas by not running the air conditioning. I'm talking like an extra 50 to 100 miles on a tank of gas. Yeah. Talk about a blessing in disguise.

I have been finding all these good quotes from Jeffrey R Holland lately, he's my favorite apostle. One in particular that I really love though and definitely hits home lately:
"Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."