As of late...

We have been busy the past few weeks preparing and studying for finals (which are this week).  But we have found time to do a few fun things.... here's an update

We picked out our first Christmas tree! It's the perfect little size for our perfect little house. And it's oh so cutely decorated. I should take a picture of it at night when it's all lit up. We found ours at the lot on Center St. next to Wendy's. It was so fun walking through all the rows of various trees. Taking in the smell. Heavenly!

My in-laws, John and Ann, received a call to serve as mission president and wife! I could not be more thrilled for them. This calling was only a matter of time. I'm grateful that I married into a family that could add be added to my list of "perfect examples for me." John and Ann have lived their lives in a way that has completely prepared them for this calling. I'm so grateful for them! They leave July 1st of 2015.

(place of service is TBD)

(I'm not sure what was being told to us in this picture. Something shocking, I'm sure.)

A month of gratitude - week 3

Nov 15

Technology

Sometimes it's easier to recognize all the cons that technology brings to our lives. But really, I can't imagine living without it. Being able to communicate with people with ease all throughout the day. Being able to send simple, quick texts to my family. Without technology, communication and keeping in touch with friends and family and long distances would sure be a pain! I'm grateful for technology and for the opportunities it brings and blessing it is in our lives. 

Nov 16

The Sacrament

I am so grateful for the chance I have to partake of the sacrament each Sunday and be forgiven of all my wrong-doings. What a different world this would be, and what a different life I would have, if we didn't have a Savior who gave us the opportunity to become better. Every single week, I have to chance to have all of my sins washed away and to start new. I'm so grateful for a merciful and understanding Savior that knew that I would need 2nd, 3rd, 1000th chances to be able to return back to him. He loves us and I love him. 

Nov 17

Priesthood

I am so blessed to have been raised with the Priesthood in my home. My father was the greatest example to me of a worthy priesthood holder. My brothers have all carried that on, as well. I have grandfathers, uncles, and cousins who all hold the priesthood. My sisters all married priesthood holders. I myself married a worthy priesthood holder who was raised in the same circumstances as I was, with a great father and family all around that are strong priesthood holders. Sometimes I almost wish that I knew how extremely blessed I am because, this is all I've known! So many people live their lives with only some priesthood around them, some with NO priesthood around them, and even more have never even heard of the power of the priesthood. I am grateful the I have men all around me that, when I ask, they are worthy of God's power and use it to bless me. 

Nov 18

Mitt and Hailey

Hahahahah! I know.. that subtitle. I'll explain. Today Mitt came to BYU to speak at devotional. For those of you who don't know... I am like... overly obsessed with Mitt Romney. I think he's one of the greatest men to ever walk this earth. And I think he would have been the greatest president of this country. Gahh ok, don't get me started on that. Anyway, I was finally able to see him speak live and what a great setting to see him in. He was able to speak about his presidential campaign as well as the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had many great thoughts for us as citizens of this country, as well as, members of this church. He's such a stellar guy. Also, I was able to go to cute little Hailey's play "Cinderella" at CVJH today. She was the STAR! Ok, not literally the lead of the play. But since we came to see her, she was the star. She really did great! I love plays but it's even funner to watch someone you know and love act in it! So, I am grateful for Mitt Romney and Hailey Robins. hahah!

Nov 19

Adam's hard work

I am grateful everyday for Adam's dedication to school. This morning I got a little grouchy at him for accidentally waking me up at 6:20 a.m. while he was getting ready. A few hours later I was feeling bad for getting upset and thought about how really grateful I am that he's willing to get up that early in the morning to go to school or go to his research lab. He even gets up that early just to get a head start on studying. I'm so lucky to have a hardworking husband who cares about his future career that will effect our family forever.

Nov 20

the Temple

We were able to go to the Temple this afternoon. I'm so grateful for the feeling I get when I go to the temple. I'm grateful that Adam I were able to get married in the temple and be sealed for eternity. I'm grateful that I live in a place that has so many temples nearby and allows me the opportunity to go whenever I need. I love the temple!

Nov 21

My job

I'm grateful for my job. I love working in a medical environment. I love receptionist work and being able to do so many different tasks. I love meeting new people everyday and seeing regular patients that come in several times a year. I love that I get to associate with people of all ages. I especially love working for my dad. I get to see the doctor side of him that you can only find at the office. I love my job!

A month of gratitude - week 2

Nov 8 

Family

To be specific, extended family. Today we got together with the Robins side (meaning my dad's siblings and family) to celebrate all the Fall birthdays! It's always such a blast getting together with all my cousins. I love catching up and hearing about what is going on in their lives. I feel like we don't get together enough, although, I know it's more than most families do throughout the world. I'm so grateful for the family bonds and the knowledge I have of how important families are.

Nov 9

Sacrament Meeting - Primary Program

Let's be honest.. is there any other meeting that puts as many smiles on your face as the Primary Program? Adam and I were able to go to my family's ward where Jace gave a little talk in the program (plus a smaller part like the rest of the kids). He did awesome! We then went to our own sacrament meeting and much to our surprise, it was the PP! Double whammy. I, of course, enjoy the kids who sing/scream the songs the loudest. I also love watching the kids wave to their parents and give and sometimes even holler at them. So entertaining. How can you not be happy after those meetings?

Nov 10

Fireplace

It's really starting to get chilly. Every evening between 6 and 10 you will find me in the same spot... by the fireplace. Last winter, we decided that we were going to save money (which we did!) and not turn on the heater. We're keeping that going. Adam and I are both gone from 8 in the morning til 6 at night so we think it'd be a big waste of money to run the heater all day. Let's just say, we put our sweats and blankets to good use. We have a nightly ritual.. I, after sitting by the fire for those few hours studying and doing homework, let Adam know I'm ready for bed. He then grabs the rice bags, gets them warmed up in the microwave and throws them under the bed covers. I then, after brushing my teeth and what not, sprint to the nice warm cozy bed and fall fast asleep. We've really got this "trying to stay warm but also saving lots of money" thing figured out. Thank goodness for this warm fireplace!

Nov 11

Adam's thoughtfulness

It's only Tuesday and I've already had the busiest week of the semester. I have a 45 minute long class presentation I'm preparing for Thursday, one research paper due Friday, and another due next Tuesday. Tonight, I just had NO time to cook dinner. When we both got home, I was super stressed and a bit grouchy and I told Adam to just throw something together for himself. He without any complaint or hesitation started making up some delicious hamburgers for the two of us. I know that what he did was such a simple (and maybe even half-expected) act but, it really meant so much to me. I had not been very pleasant and he could have easily just made himself some noodles or something. But he took time out of his evening of studies (he's typically a lot busier than me, school-wise) and made a thoughtful dinner for us. I really, reallyyyy appreciated it. Adam is always so thoughtful. He would do anything in the world for me. I'm so grateful for him. 

Nov 12

My healthy body

Ok, so this one is going to get a bit bizarre with my story. In between school and work, I came home exhausted and hungry. I made a turkey sandwich and laid down next to the fire. As I was laying there and had finished eating, my stomach started to grumble and I could feel the food going through my body. It was super interesting, as I put my full attention on my stomach, I could literally feel, with my hand on my abdomen, my intestines pushing the food through. It was amazing! I totally felt stupid laying their by myself with my hand on my stomach as if I was feeling a baby in my stomach kick for the first time (I was feeling my food baby #storyofmylife). Hahah! I just laid their so grateful for a healthy body that can do all the day to day things. I take my health and physical abilities for granted every single day. I'm so blessed with a strong, healthy body. That even the simplest (but really not so simple) things like, digesting food come without any concern. I'm grateful that I have all 5 senses. I'm grateful that I can walk and move properly. I'm grateful I have a functioning brain. I'm grateful for my healthy body.

Nov 13

Satisfaction from hard work
I had my presentation this morning in my Sports Psychology class. I've been working hard and for a long time on this presentation. I discussed the psychology of leadership and the different theories that apply to it. So glad it's done! I also am finishing up with one of my research papers that is due tomorrow. This one is on exercise and pregnancy. There's nothing quite like completing something you've worked hard on. I'm grateful for that satisfaction we feel as humans.

Nov 14

Education

As exhausting as school can be, I am so grateful for the opportunity I've been given to expand my knowledge and learn valuable things pertaining to life that I KNOW will help me in the future. I'm majoring in exercise science and just about everyday I am amazed by what our bodies can do. God is a phenomenal artist! I'm so grateful that I can apply what I've studied to my everyday life! 

p.s. sorry no pictures - makes for a more boring post
p.s.s. I know I'm a few days behind on posting this.. BUSY LIFE!

A month of gratitude - week 1

I've decided that every evening this month, I am going to think back on my day and pin-point one thing that I was extra grateful for that day. I imagine some things will be more extravagant than others. But, it doesn't matter how big it is. It is still something I will have recognized and thanked Heavenly Father for. I'm really wanting to do this and try to better recognize the things I'm blessed with. I encourage all of YOU to do this as well. Of course, you don't have to share publicly but, write them down in your journal so that when you're having a bad day, you can look back and remember all the things you are grateful for!

Nov 1

My mama!

Today is Tam Tam's birthday! How grateful I am that she was born so that 30 years later she could be my mom. Everyone always says that their mom is the best mom ever! And I am one to go ahead and say that as well. My mom is the best mom ever! But as I've gotten older, I've come to realize something more important... She is the best mom, for me. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he decided to make Tammy my mom.  He knew I needed her if I was going to have any chance here on this earth.  The other day a girl in my statistics class, who was also one of April's mission companions, was telling me about her weekend and how she was with my parents over at the Woolley's. She mentioned how she thinks me and my mom are just alike. She said the way we talk and our mannerisms and just our whole personality are the exact same. Adam tells me that too. He says I get my sass and my love for gossip from her. Haha! So many people tell me how I am exactly like my mother. And although it's funny to act like I don't want to be told that, it's actually one of the best compliments I could receive. So grateful for my mom.

Nov 2

Utah Weather

I absolutely love living in Utah where we have all 4 beautiful seasons and get to experience each so strongly.  There is snow on the mountains for the first time this fall. The air is crisp and my fingers started to go numb as I walked to school. Winter is coming after a long beautiful fall! It was kind of a dark, gloomy day with lots of fog over the mountains and little sprinkles of rain here and there.  If it would have rained a bit more, it would have been Adam's favorite type of weather. He loves dark stormy days. I love looking forward to and getting ready for the next season. Bring on the snow!

Nov 3

Sports

I am grateful that Adam and I have a mutual love for sports. Tonight, Adam had his first intramural basketball game of the season. He is signed up to play on 3 different intramural teams. BYU, UVU, and a PG league. I think I look forward to his basketball games more than he does. I absolutely love watching him play basketball. HE'S SO GOOD! And I love watching him do what he loves. I love sports and exercising and it's even funner with him. I'm glad I have a body that allows me to be active!

Haha, obviously I had to get a picture of him doing something super cool, right?

Nov 4

Taylor Swift's new album

I love Taylor Swift. Always have always will. Her new album is all I've been listening to since it came out. My favorite songs: Bad blood, Wildest Dreams, and This Love. I love loving music. When I have a favorite song/album/artist, I love having something that I'm excited to listen to and eager to put on as I drive. 

Nov 5

My calling

I am a beehive adviser in the Young Womens program. Tonight was YW in Excellence which is where all the yw in the ward display a project they have been working on throughout the year. Each girl stood up and talked about their project and then at the end we all were able to go around and look at what each girl had accomplished this year. It ranges from reading the Book of Mormon, to making and participating on the soccer team, to sewing a quilt. I was so genuinely proud of each of the girls that stood up. I have grown to love them so much. I have the best calling in the world and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father trusts me as one of their leaders!

Nov 6

Institute

Today was my favorite day in class so far this semester. I'm currently in a class where we are studying the first half of the BOM. Today we studied Mosiah 14-17. We focused on how Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and how it is through his sacrifice that we can be saved. My institute teacher brought such insight and the spirit was so strong. I'm so grateful that I can go to institute 2 times a week and learn more about my Savior.

Nov 7

Weekends

I have had so much homework this past week and this next week is going to be even worse. This weekend is much needed to give me time away from school and work. To relax a bit. But mostly to just catch up on all that I'm needing to do. Also, Adam and I went with Brayden and Carly Hill to see the movie Interstellar tonight. Highly recommend it. If you're into being super confused and stuff. ;)

Fall Break 2014

I love having Fall Break at UVU. It always seems to come right at the perfect time in the semester - when you're ripping your hair out and about ready to quit! Then, you have a break. And you have a minute to stop and think about how it is possible to make it through the rest of the semester... like you have so many times before. 

And you know what?! It is even BETTER when fall break lines up with the family's fall break! And that's exactly what happened this year. 

I was lucky enough to sneak away from life for a few days and breathe in the fresh outdoors with my family. Unfortunately, the husband doesn't get anytime off for Fall Break so he had to stay home and continue with his studies. I sure missed him (I believe it was the longest we've been away from each other since we got married! We just really like each other I guess). I secretly think he enjoyed a few days to himself, completely focusing on school and even being able to watch the newest Transformers (I refuse to watch something so stupid).

Anyway, Thursday morning we packed up and took off to Goblin Valley with some family friends - The Bunkers. We spent several hours there, climbing all over the amazing sandstone formations. The younger kids played hide-n-seek and us old folks walked around the park soaking it all in. 

That evening we went back to our hotel in Green River. The younger kids swam/hot tubbed, Tammy of course threw on some Forensic Files murder mysteries and the rest of us just relaxed. Later, we all got together again and played card games while sipping on hot chocolate. 

The next day - Friday - we set off to the Little Wild Horse/Bell slot canyons which is about an 8 mile round trip hike. I had never done that hike before and I feel so sheltered never having seen all that amazingness! It was seriously such a fun/cool hike. It took us about 6 hours (could have been much shorter if we would have cut out all the minutes we had to stop and wait for the slow, chatter-box moms to catch up). 

That night for dinner, we went to this nasty little Mexican restaurant. We walked in and one other family was there - nobody else. We all immediately washed our  grungy hands in the rotten, mold-infested, ghetto little bathrooms. After ordering, we waited about an hour til our food came. And let's just say - it was not worth the wait! I ordered pork with rice and beans. The rice and beans were good but the pork was rock solid and very dry and bland. Everyone else's meals weren't too impressive either. To top it off, A-Rob's friend, Cole, found a caterpillar in his meal. Nasty!!! It was a very unpleasant dining experience to say the least. But hey, it's all for the memories! 

On our last day, Saturday, we drove just outside of Moab and hit a few amazing sight-seeing stops including Dead Horse Point, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, and Gemini Bridge. These places can't be described. Some of the most beautiful land on this earth. And I only live 3 hours from it!!!

My fall break was a blast and much needed. Love my family and loveee hanging out with them.

Our Big Break

So, a few months ago, I got this invite from one of my good friends, Kylee, to help out with this modeling project. Her husband was in charge of getting a few people together to be photographed for the website of the Utah Olympic Legacy Park (Park City Resort). Adam and I were able to join Kylee, her husband Matt, and sister Brittany, in the start of our big successful modeling careers. ;)

We were asked to basically just do all the team building activities and they would shoot us in action. OK! I never knew modeling could be so fun. *side note: I keep using the word "modeling." That's just to make me sound cooler. So, just let it be. Hahah* We had all done many of these activities before at different camps we'd been to. It was a blast! We got paid, not in cash but, in a delicious lunch after the shoot, and in full-day tickets to the whole park. The tickets don't expire so we planned on going back one day when we had the full day to play. Still have yet to do that.... 

click

HERE

to see the website we're on! 



*be aware that this is a very anticlimactic post. I realize that. But, the 1 picture of me and then the others of us far away or of our legs make me feel like I should probably be on America's Next Top Model, so... again, let it be.

Birthday Boy

Today is Adam's birthday! 

Oh, how I love this 23 year old with all my heart. He deserves the world, and I truly mean that. He is the most selfless, kind person I know. He would do anything for anyone. Many nights I lay in bed with gratitude in my heart as I reflect back on that day, or maybe that week, and think about how much Adam does for me. How good he is to me. How patient he is, or helpful, or loving when I don't deserve it. When we get in arguments, he's always the first to humble himself and apologize, even when he's not at fault (which is how it is most of the time). When the kitchen's a mess, he's the first to clean up. Sometimes I have to tell him to take a seat when he's doing the dishes because he's done them the past 8 times. Reluctantly, he'll give in and I'll do the dishes but, instead of taking 5 minutes to relax, he'll stand behind me and scratch my back while I finish up the dishes. 

I often ask myself, or even Adam, how I got so lucky. I have yet to come up with a good answer in words but, I think God knew that I needed someone to help me out in this life. And Adam is the only one tolerant enough to be by my side.

I love you, birthday boy. 

(we had the my 3 youngest sibs over for a sleepover. They got to join in on the birthday breakfast!)

Wedding Video

 Absolutely 100% utterly in love with our wedding video. I seriously cannot stop watching it! Just recently got it back from the lovely Claire Lewis who filmed and edited it. THANK YOU!!!

What a special way to remember the best day of our lives. I was so deeply in love with Adam on our wedding day but, man oh man, my love his for him has doubled each day since.

Enjoy! :)

California 2014

In August, we joined the Lewis clan for their annual Newport Beach vacation. We spent 14 relaxing days on the coast. The Camps (cousins) were able to come the first week and the second week it was just the John and Ann Lewis family (missing Aaron our missionary). 

We spent nearly everyday at the beach boogie boarding, playing in the waves, tossing the frisbee, playing volleyball, reading, watching surfers and soaking up the sun. We joked that the whole vacation was planned around where we would eat each night. Mmm mmm mmmm, we sure enjoyed some great dining. I think I now know all the hot spot places to eat in the Newport area. We also did a little bit of shopping, played tennis at the villas, and in the evenings we went hot tubbing, watched movies, or played card games. 

Here's a wrap of our two weeks in pictures...

TAKE ME BACK!