X-treme

     Monday night Family Home Evening! Thanks to groupon and livingsocial deals, Brian and I are able to go out around town once in a while! Tonight we chose to be Xtreme and go jump on trampolines. Ha it was pretty awesome. Brian was back in his childhood doing all the tricks and crazy stunts he used to do with his childhood friend Matt Allen. We were the oldest people jumping by far-and older than all of the refs and workers who were for sure at most sophomores or juniors in high school. But who cares right? Growing up is optional!

Baby Lily's Baptism

    Sweet little Lily was Christened today! Brian and I were very blessed that we were able to participate on her special day. I've never been to a Christening before so it was all very new to me. We met at the Catholic church where we got to meet all of Lily's family. The Priest came and gathered us all around a fountain in the center of the room that was just outside the Sanctuary of the church (which is similar to a Chapel in the LDS church). The Priest proceeded to talk about a baptism of a baby and we were all handed books where we read some scriptures from the New Testament. The parents and Godparents were blessed as well as Lily.
    We then followed the Priest and family into the Sanctuary were more words were spoken and blessings pronounced. The parents promise to raise Lily in a Christen home with Good Christan faith.  I love seeing those of other faiths trying to stay close to our Father in Heaven to the best of their knowledge and ability. 
    The final part of the ceremony took place back at the fountain where Lily was leaned over the fountain and the priest poured water over her hair and then anointed her with oil. It was very neat to be there and support this great family in their beliefs. I again am extremely blessed to have found work with such a great family with strong family values.

Lily's parents and Godparents (which are Lily's Aunt and Uncle)

    A week or so before, Lily's mom and I dressed her in her baptism dress and took some pictures to give to the family when they all came out. Lily's baptism dress happened to be her Grandmother's so it has special significance.  

She's teething so her fingers are always in her mouth :)

    Isn't she just the cutest?! Ah! I love my job!

Spring is here!

    The snow is melting, the ice cracking, the birds are flying back, and I'm already unpacking my flip flops! We took an afternoon walk to one of the forest preserves in Illinois-- Independence Grove. There are several large ponds here and one is solid ice while the other is filled with seagulls, swans and pelicans taking a bath. Ah it feels so great to have the sun out! Welcome Springtime!

Did I mention?

    That we are going to be going on a cruise?! I'm SO excited! Brian surprised me for our anniversary, but he told me a week early because he was too excited.
    He told me that he was going to be home late one evening and to check the mail for some tax stuff. I thought it was odd since I remembered him telling me the day before that he'd be home early and that taxes were done. I shrugged it off, when I got home from work that day I opened the mailbox to find a letter from "Carnival Cruise lines!" I immediately recognized Brian's handwriting and saw the "Three Wise-men Stamp" that I figured he had taken off of a Christmas card. I got so excited I ran in the house and tore the envelope open to find we're going on a 7 day cruise in May! Wow!
    To be honest, I cried a little. It was just so cute, and then he came downstairs and surprised me again by being home. He really is the best. :) I just love him!
       Our last cruise together was on our Honeymoon HERE and I can't wait to go on another one with him! They are such a fun way to travel!

2 years ago...

Our marriage was born!
    It is hard to believe it has been that long.. all my friends were heading off on missions and I remember thinking "When they get back, I'll have been married for two years!" I couldn't believe it then, and now, it's been two years, they are back from their missions and I still can't believe it.
    Marriage is so fun. I love being married to this man. This journey that we are on is a beautiful one, I can feel it and I see it in my everyday life. My life is a collection of love. I know that I am the person I am today because of the love that I have felt, experienced, and given.

 

    Last year's anniversary is HERE (With previous pics in the marriage journal) then we took our anniversary trip HERE!

"Forever is composed of nows" -Emily Dickinson. We are enjoying and loving our "nows!" 

Kissing a Porcupine

    Brian knows that I dislike facial hair. It's like trying to kiss a porcupine. So he knows that if he wants any kisses at all.. a clean shaven face is the ticket.
    When I went to Utah a couple weeks ago, I came home to a little surprise:

 

     And honestly... he can pull it off! I gave him a couple days, took some pictures (So that if he ever tries to grow one again just "to see what it looks like," I'll pull out the pictures and show him!)

P.S doesn't he have gorgeous eyes?! Such an amazing coloring.. Ah! I love it!

    Just for fun, we went down to the beach in the snow.. I was curious if Lake Michigan could ever really freeze due to its size. Below is a picture of the shore. The sand was frozen solid! I stood right on the edge and kicked and jumped and tried to break it off. Not a grain of sand fell.. Wow!

I had a baby..

Well... Sort of.
    Have I mentioned that I'm the only member of the "No Baby Club" in my ward now? That's right.. Brian and I are the only married couple not pregnant or that have other kids. No pressure or anything though right? Ha..
    Anyway, the truth is. I do have a baby.. sort of. She's not really mine, but I get to take care of her everyday. I started a new job about a month or so ago where I get to take care of a beautiful newborn! The job switch was necessary due to it being closer to home and no more nights!
    Meet Lily! This little chunker turns 4 months old this Wednesday. I get to spend every day with this cute girl and we sure do have a lot of fun.