..."...love actually is all around..."...

Okay, so my doctor upped the dosage of some medication that I'm on.  It makes me a little..."perky" as Chuck would put it, and I have found that if I don't take something to help me sleep (per doctors orders) as I adjust to it, I'm wide awake at 12:33 a.m. thinking about something and wanted to write it down so I don't forget.

To make a long story short, something I saw on a blog triggered some thinking which triggered a memory that I had not thought about in a while and since Valentine's Day is approaching, I thought I would blog about it (and so I don't forget it).

I started thinking about my Grandparents who would have been married for 62 years this June.  I remembered something I witnessed that I hope I never forget.  I was staying with my Grandparent's while my parents were out of town.  I was in high school so I'm assuming they were gone taking my brother to Utah before he departed for his mission.  My Grandma...or Nanny as we call her was taking me to school.  As I started to get in the car, Nanny walked over to my Grandpa to let him know she'd be right back, and then I witnessed something I don't think I ever got to see again.  I saw my Grandpa and Nanny kiss good bye.  I remember thinking at that moment how "cute" it was.

Growing up I always knew that my Grandparent's loved each other, I saw it in the way they treated each other, but I realized now that this was one of the rare moments that I saw it manifested physically.  I don't think I ever remember seeing them do this again.  (I'm sure they did though).

This got me thinking of others in my life and how much love I have seen manifested in all sorts of different ways.  I have seen both sets of my Grandparent's express their love for each other by the way the treated each other and for how they cared for each other during good times, during times of poor health, and up to the last moments of life.

I have seen my parents express their love again through how they treat each other during good times, difficult times.  I remember growing up feeling lucky that I knew my parents loved each other as I realized that this was not always the case in other homes.

I got to thinking about my siblings and their love for their spouses.  I remember when both my brothers married their wives thinking, "They are lucky girls...My brother's will love them forever."  I knew it, because I knew that my brothers were that type of man.  It helped me to see that at an impressionable and "dreamy" age...the importance of finding a partner that would love me unconditionally.

I remember watching my younger sister on her wedding day watch her new husband and the admiration and love she had for him.  You always think of your younger siblings as much younger than they really are and maybe are a little overly protective of them, but I could feel that just like my brothers, she would be just fine.

Again, as I lay there not being able to sleep tonight, I can see so many instances and expressions of love manifested through out my family and again I feel lucky to have witnessed this.

I too have been the recipient of unconditional love from my husband.  I remember the first time I realized I loved him (and it wasn't just for his good looks!)  I remember when we first said "I love you" to each other and realized  that we truly meant it as forever.  I have been the recipient of many acts and expression of love and feel unworthy at times to receive these.  My husband has been so loving and sensitive and patient with me as I struggle with and try to understand my depression.  He has taken care of me without complaint, he has listened without groaning, and he has let me be myself...the good, bad, ugly, silly, difficult...the list could go on.  I am so thankful to have him as my partner, my confidant, my rock, my love, and my eternal companion.

I know Valentine's Day has become "commercialized" but I hope maybe we can make it more meaningful by recognizing the love that surrounds each of us.  Just like there are many expressions of love, there are also many different sources of love.  Look for it...it's there.  I hope you see it because it is a beautiful thing.

Happy Valentine's Day!  (Early I know...)

...December...

Happy New Year everyone!  Hope the year brings you all happiness and peace to you and your families.

Stepping back a little bit let's recap December...It was BUSY!  I was determined to have a nice quiet holiday season and Christmas and I got a quiet Christmas, but not a quiet holiday season.  However, it was fun!

We started out our December by going to Utah to visit my sister, her husband, my brother and his family.  They had a new addition in October and so we were there to meet the little guy and witness his blessing.  We had a wonderful time despite the cold!  I now remember why I left Rexburg, ID and came home to California!!!

We played and played and played with my nephews...they even used me as a jungle gym.  They are so funny and kept us laughing the whole time!

We were able to attend a session in the Salt Lake Temple.  I had never been before and I absolutely loved the experience.  I would like to go back again and again and again.  I realized this temple's meaning to me too as I remembered I had pioneer ancestors and my Grandmother's Uncle (I believe) worked here in this temple.  I felt very close to those who had gone on before me.  

We walked Temple Square and looked at the Christmas lights.  Boy was it COLD!  It was windy and blowing right into our faces.  Again, I was reminded why I love California so much...but I did enjoy the lights and the displays.

We were also able to celebrate Chuck's birthday while we were there with family.  We had dinner, a Cold Stone Ice Cream cake, and opened presents.  Chuck was great and let the nephew's help open his presents. We also ate at a BBQ place for his birthday.  Everyone loved what they got, but my food was WAY too spicy to enjoy.  

I apparently don't have all the pictures on my computer, I think other's are on my Mom's camera.  Here's one more from our trip though...

Chuck with the new baby!  So Sweet.

I wound up leaving my camera at my parent's house for a few days and so I don't have pictures of everything.  The next event for us was my work holiday party.  It was held this year at a beautiful hotel in Berkeley.  We got dressed up, mingled, ate really good food, danced a little, chatted with my co-workers and stopped for milkshakes on the way home!  

I then had an office holiday party also with good food, good conversation and an ornament exchange.  

My sister and brother in law came into town for the week before Christmas and we celebrated my Dad's birthday by going and seeing the second Sherlock Holmes movie.  Don't ask me if it's good, I was so tired from work when we went in the evening I really don't remember much from it.  

We ate, had good conversation, played games, decorated Christmas sugar cookies (a family tradition) and celebrated Christmas with them early.  

Christmas day Chuck and I had breakfast then headed to church for a nice Christmas program.  We then went over to my parent's to open presents and have lunch.  We then played Monopoly until dinner time.  Again, good food and good conversation and good company.  Christmas these past few years just hasn't been the same since my Grandfather passed away, but each year it gets easier and more and more enjoyable as we set new traditions.  

Chuck and I rang in the New Year together quietly (which is what we wanted since we had been so busy).  We had appetizers for dinner, and I had put together a few small "treats" for dessert.  We played a game that Chuck got for Christmas and then watched "Crazy, Stupid, Love", kissed at midnight and went to bed! 

*Note, we also saw "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" and "War Horse".  

Looking forward now to the New Year and all that it will bring for us. 

...May thru November..

One thing that frustrates me about blogging is the order/formatting of the pictures.  These are backwards...sorry. 

I'm been seriously lacking when it comes to blogging.  Some things take a back seat as I deal with other things.  It's been a seriously busy year and I can't believe Thanksgiving is over!  So a recap of what we've been up to, backwards!  

November:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  I have so much to be thankful for, and I know sometimes I get frustrated and complain, but when I stop to think about things, I realize I am very very blessed.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a happy holiday season coming up filled with peace, love and laughter! 

In September Chuck and I celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary.  We decided to get away for the weekend and so we headed down to San Luis Obispo over Labor Day.  We drove down Friday and stayed through Sunday.  We toured San Luis Obispo which is a nice little college town and we even got to see the Cal Poly campus.  

The main event for our Anniversary was our trip to Hearst Castle in San Simeon.  I have been dreaming of going to Hearst Castle since I was in the eighth grade when I did a report on Julia Morgan, the architect who designed it.  It was absolutely gorgeous and we really enjoyed our time there.  We toured the main house (below) and then spent a lot of our time at the Neptune Pool.  Oh my gosh, I was dying to jump in!  I refrained though.  It was a wonderful weekend.  Happy Anniversary to us!

 In July and August we had a lot of family in town.  My Aunt, Uncle and Cousin's from Viriginia came to visit and it was a lot of fun to sit around and laugh together.  My sister and her husband also came out and we went to Alcatraz.  I love this place.  I've been many times, but they had changed the tour a little bit this time and I got to see things I hadn't seen before.  I loved it...and I love San Francisco!

 My sister and I got married 11 months apart and so when they were visiting we ordered a cake from the place we both got our wedding cakes.  YUM!

 In July, my Grandfather passed away.  While it sad we were able to get together with family from my dad's side, cousins and everyone!  My two brothers and their families and my sister and her husband were able to come out also.  I think the last time we were all together with cousins was when my Grandmother passed away in 2002 and of course the family has grown since then.  It also has been a while since my family has been all together--and again we've grown.  I just really enjoyed being together and my Aunt put together a really nice service for my Grandpa.

 I love Ventura!

The kids were fascinated by a dead lizard!

 The chapel where the service was held.

In May, over Memorial Day, Chuck and I went down to Ventura with my parents to visit my Aunt, Uncle and cousins and Grandpa.  I am really grateful we were able to visit because it was the last time we were able to see my Grandpa before he passed away.  We were able to talk to him and my Dad asked him about his childhood in L.A. as a boy, and he was able to tell us some funny stories

We had a great time and were grateful to have the experience we had.

Chuck overlooking the Harbor!

I think that catches us up--Cliff Notes version! See you in December!

...Oops!...

...I am so far behind on this.  I keep thinking I'll get to it soon, but soon never comes.  I promise I will get to it, I have so much to catch up on...I'll do it soon...oh wait, let's shoot for Sunday!  I'll do it Sunday!

...Four Years Ago Today...

...Back Again!...

Sorry about the formatting problems...I can't seem to fix them and don't feel like it right now.  You'll get the gist. 

Sorry it's been a long time!  I see it's been since March so I've got some catching up to do...

Brief update.  I'm still working, we have been down two people and so I'm also a little overworked.  I am now serving in Young Women's at church.  It's been about two months now, but I still feel like I'm trying to figure it all out, I had a rough start, I got sick shortly after I got called and missed an activity, then I went out of town, and then I got sick again!  Sheesh.  I'm enjoying it though and am excited for it.

Chuck finished another semester in May and has started another class for the summer.  It's keeping him busy and he's really enjoying it. 

In the mean time we've had some fun since March...here's the summary.

We had a pretty sunset one night... 

 I just liked this picture and wanted to share. 

Over Conference Weekend we went back to the cemetery to see the tulips (which weren't in bloom) but it was such a beautiful day...even warm and had an amazing view overlooking the Bay.

He's so handsome!

In April my sister came for a visit and we went with my Mom to San Francisco for the day.  I know I always say this, but I mean it every time...I LOVE THIS CITY!  It's absolutely gorgeous, and we had wonderful weather that day as we wandered the Farmer's Market...No pictures of it though...Sorry.

We ate lunch at our favorite place...Boudin's.  YUM!

 I see I managed a picture of lunch though...go figure.

Chuck had a few days off of school in April, so I took a day off and we headed back to SF to go to the zoo.  I hadn't been in a very long time.  We stopped at got bagels at our stop The House of Bagels, and then made our way over to the coast where the zoo is located.  It was overcast and drizzling but we didn't mind because that meant there weren't very many people, and that was what we needed...I won't bore you with all the pictures of the animals we saw, just the highlights...

I LOVED the giraffes.  I think they are so pretty and I love how they look so big yet they are so dainty and elegant in how they move. 

This was another favorite...I had never seen a black swan before!  I love how graceful they are. 

We also enjoyed the Polar Bear.  He (or she?) was so playful and swimming.  We wanted to take it home but then decided against it!

Chuck wraseled with a bear.  He won. 

We thought the Kangaroo's were pretty cool.  They were hopping around...something we again had never seen before.  Now I know this is not as cool as my siblings who have actually HELD  a kangaroo, but this was as close as I got.

When we were done we drove across the street to the beach and ate our bagels and "Jewish Triangle cookies."  I can't remember the name of them but they are yummy!  Again, it was quiet and relaxing. 

Our view while we ate lunch.

We then got this crazy idea that we could drive to Pier 39 (on the other side of San Francisco) for chocolate truffles.  So we started heading back according to the directions.  Um...we got lost.  Here's a little map of where we were and where we wanted to go...

Easy enough right?  Um wrong...It was more like this...

Ha.  We were so lost!  We drove around a really fancy residential area of SF that we had never seen before with HUGE houses which was kind of fun, we drove through the Castro District (never been before) and ended up at Sutro Tower (point B on the map).  We then kept trying to make our way to the water, we knew if we could get there we could find our way.  The water to us is like using the mountains in Utah for directions. 

We were getting close, we could see the Ferry Building down the street...if we could make it there it was just a left hand turn and we made it.  We got stuck in the wrong lane, and had to turn left.  Chuck decided to take the next right to get back on track.  I was feeling pretty good when all of the sudden I hear Chuck say, "Oh CRAP!"  He startled me and I asked what was the matter...He said, "We're going the wrong way!"  It was the wrong way, like we turned right down a one way street that was coming our direction kind of wrong way!  Oh My...I thought this is it we're going to die! 

Luckily, the cars were all stopped at a light about a block down and had just started our way when we realized our mistake.  One guy zoomed past us while we were maneuvering out of the way and we see a place where we can turn...the passenger in the car right in front of us pointed us in the right direction.  THANK YOU!  We turned and arrived at our destination safely a few minutes later. 

We stopped in the sports shop for Chuck.

Despite our wrong turn which we laughed about once our hearts started beating at a normal pace...we had a great day!

I'll post May, June and July's adventures in another post...To Be Continued...

...March 9, 2007...

This is what we were doing 4 years ago today.  We were still dating long distance, he was in Southern California and I was in Northern.  We decided to take a trip back to Florida to visit his family and we wanted to take a day and spend it at DisneyWorld where we had met the year before.  His sister came with us, and I'm so glad she did because she was the one who captured these pictures. 

A Few Things I Remember:

I remember that I had a feeling this was coming but wasn't 100% sure.  What Chuck didn't know was that if he hadn't proposed during this trip, there was a good chance I was going to give it to him straight--"Do you want to get married because if we aren't I'm moving on."  Not because I was desperate, but because I wasn't into wasting precious dating time and it had been a year already.  He claims this was his plan all along.  Anyway, it doesn't matter because he was smart enough to propose! 

I remember that this whole day Chuck kept touching one of his cargo pockets, which I thought was weird but I gathered that's where his wallet was...nope it was the ring. 

I remember that the whole day I was thinking, "Now?...or maybe now?"  I finally had to tell myself to stop and cut it out because if it didn't happen I would be disappointed and I didn't want to get myself psyched up for nothing...again, it happened so I had nothing to worry about. 

We had spent the whole day in EPCOT and as we "made our way around the world" we stopped over the bridge between "France" and "England" to take this picture...

(I think Chuck looks nervous in this picture)

...then Chuck turned to me and said, "I know I should have done this a lot sooner, but will you marry me?"

My response?  "SHUT UP!"  Classy right?  I started crying and said, "No way...are you serious?" Then I made sure I said "YES!"  My response makes Chuck laugh every time.  He also laughs because I apparently fanned myself like Miss Congeniality.  This part I don't remember. 

(My favorite picture)

Then we kissed, hugged and laughed--people cheered and clapped for us.  It was fun.

Again, I'm so glad that his sister was with us to capture the moment.  These are some of my favorite pictures of Chuck and I.  We look so happy! We still are.  

After it was over Chuck's sister told us that there was a woman walking by not paying attention to where she was going and she almost bumped into Chuck just as he was kneeling.  Once she realized what was going on she stopped and said, "OH MY GOSH!"  We remembered hearing someone saying that, and I very clearly remembering how weird it was that my instinct was to turn and look but I couldn't, it was just Chuck and me in tunnel vision.  Funny though.   

We ran through the rest of EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom looking like this...

...it was fun when people asked when we got married and we would say, "No! We just got engaged like a minute ago!" 

I can't believe it's been four years already, they've gone by so fast and it feels like so much has happened and we've grown so much more than we ever could have expected.  We were laughing today that we don't think either of us really knew what we were getting into, we just knew whatever it was, we wanted to do it together.

...Seriously. March?...

I can't believe it's March already...what happened to Christmas, New Years and Valentine's Day?  Needless to say, things have been BUSY!  I was thrilled that I was able to sleep in until 8 a.m. this morning.  I found a little down time and realized I haven't updated the blog in a LONG time...so okay, let's play a little catch up...


CHRISTMAS!!!

We went to my work holiday party that was held at the Blackhawk Car Museum...Chuck was in HEAVEN!   

We went to the Jelly Belly Factory.

We went to the Oakland LDS Temple to see the lights and nativity.



Decorated sugar cookies with Caitlin and James...a Terry Tradition.

Christmas Eve dinner.

I don't have too many pictures of Christmas...we were tired after our little incident Christmas Eve night...after Chuck and I went home after the festivities to finish wrapping presents and curl up to watch "Christmas Story" I went to jump in the shower and as I went to turn it off, it wouldn't turn off!  The shower head and the faucet for the tub were both running water and we couldn't get it turned enough to drain, the tub just kept filling up...It was around 11:30 p.m. and we called my Dad came over with some tools to see if he couldn't help us...He and Chuck were able to turn the water off enough for the tub to start draining, but the water was still coming out the faucet...so I had to call our manager.  Suprisingly she picked up!  She and her son who does some work around the apartments were fiddling with our shower...we're pushing 12 midnight and later now Christmas Eve.  I felt so bad that they had to come over, but what could we do?  It was decided the problem was the valuve and we couldn't do anything about until the main "handy man" could come in the morning...our manager couldn't turn our water off either because it would have shut the water off for EVERYONE!  

So, Chuck and I packed up our stocking and presents, grabbed our pillows and a blanket and headed over to my parents house to stretch out on their couches...lucky for us they had just bought new ones!!!  Despite the drama we had a nice Christmas.

NEW YEARS!

I seriously don't remember what we did for New Years...it must have been uneventful.

VALENTINE'S DAY!

We had a quiet Valentines...I bought Chuck some Hot Tomales and an iTunes Gift Card, and I came home from work to find this...

THE BED MADE!!!  Just kidding, a box of chocolates and caramels in the shape of a flower.  Chuck's so cute!

Other than work, Chuck in school, and turning in our taxes...there's nothing new to report. 

I just still can't believe it's March...anyone else? 

...Merry Christmas...

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas

and pray that you and your family may enjoy

health, happiness, and peace in the upcoming year. 

Love,