Gratitude for Happy Moments

I am blessed.

As I was sitting in church yesterday, a beautiful young mother, whom I greatly admire, spoke about gratitude.

She spoke about the little things she does with her children, like gratitude journals, and thinking of at least three things to be sincerely grateful for in her prayers each day and teaching her children to do the same. I was touched. She mentioned that often as we petition our Father in Heaven, we get so focused on what we want that we allow our needs to outweigh our gratitude for what He has done. She left a gentle reminder to have an attitude of gratitude. She probably doesn't even realize what an incredible lady she is.

Quoting President Monson she said, "We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that 'gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.'”

With that, and hopefully not coming across as preachy--that was not my intent in the least-- I would like to express gratitude for happy moments in my life. Jordan surprised me for our anniversary, and took me to Cheesecake Factory (one of my favs!) and then to Park City to the Hyatt Escala Lodge (the same place we stayed on our wedding night!) It was so much fun to be with just him. I am grateful for moments when I can sit back and truly appreciate my blessings, especially my husband. At one point during our getaway, I was joking around with Jordan and he smiled and said, "I am so happy I am married to you." He is the cutest.

Before Dinner! Awkward car shot...

So pretty, definitely recommend this place to anyone!

We ate way too much, slept longer than we have in ages and watched a way boring movie as we fell asleep..and ended up making fun of the movie the entire time. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend. He took me to the outlets and got me Theeee cutest running shoes ever; mine were a million miles overdue!

Say hello to my Nike Free 7.0! 

We even went and hit a bucket of balls the next night, to stretch out the fun a bit longer (correction, he hits the ball, I swing at them) and had a blast.

Notice, he looks like he will actually hit the ball...

Mentally preparing to hit the ball...didn't work.

And, for Jordan's birthday the week earlier, he got this little bad boy, the "2014 Specialized Rockhopper" and was speechless when he saw it.

It was pretty cool to see him be SO excited about a gift. He is so humble, he never expects anything. He had his bike stolen at BYU and he has been in mourning ever since! I decided I had to end that cycle--I just realized that was a super bad pun and it wasn't even intended! So I took his dad and mom and they helped me find a bike, since I probably would have come home with a pink beach cruiser :). I have awesome in-laws, another blessing I am constantly amazed by.

I love President Hinckley. I really do miss him dearly. He was so simple and so happy. He had an ideal marriage--what romance should look like. So, forgive me for all the quotes, you just can't go wrong with that man!

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”


Today, I am grateful for the ride!


I am grateful to wake up and feel excitement for the future. I am grateful for the health of my family, for beautiful sunsets, for Savanah's (my little sister's) witty remarks. I am grateful that Jordan's med school applications are in (with Texas applications almost completed) and that we have been richly blessed with incredible families. I am grateful for my first year of marriage, and thankful that it has certainly been the best year of my life.

I want to be more grateful. My mom always told me when I was little that you can't help but be pretty when kind words and compliments come from your mouth. So, I want to count my many blessings and name them one by one! I really am so so grateful for every. single. one. :)   

Happy 1 year and birthday to my perfect-for-me, husband!

You Know What They Say, Ash...

The week has arrived--whether we like it or not!

After months of hardcore preparation, studying and prayers, Jordan left at 3:00 this morning to take the MCAT in Portland, Oregon.

This boy is completely invested in our future and so motivated. I realize more and more how grateful I am for his sacrifices. He's commuted six hours a day (thank you public transportation!), taken multiple practice MCAT tests (4-5 hours a pop), studied till he can't see straight and still managed to treat me like a princess-- And I definitely act like one sometimes so that is saying something! He supports every crazy dream I have and never doubts me. He is the most patient, loving and concerned person I have ever met in my life. Whenever I am frustrated and start talking a million miles an hour, he just smiles and says, "Remember, I'm always on your side."

(St. George get away!)

Also, Happy 11 months today! I can't believe it's almost been a year! When Jordan left this morning, he woke me up to tell me good bye, and said, "Happy 11 months babe, I love you." Sheesh, way to melt my heart!

People say that when you get married, you find out everything that is wrong with your spouse. I, on the other hand, have had the opportunity to figure out everything that is wrong with me because he is so good! Sometimes I step back and wonder how in the world I got Jordan. I also wonder why in the world he waited for me to change my mind about him for almost 8 years! I guess somethings shouldn't be questioned, just appreciated.

(I like him.)

His big test isn't actually until Thursday--so if you can slip him a prayer, I'll love you forever! It's crazy to think how much one test can affect the rest of your life. I love the quote, "Faith is not knowing what your future holds, but Who holds your future." I know that whatever is meant to be will be; especially with what a good person Jordan is I am sure that there is an army of special guardian angels that look out specifically for him.

Random funny thing this week: Jordan created a board on my pinterest specifically for his man food, called "For Jordan". I just found it while I was on Pinterest.

For years he has said to me, "You know what they say Ash." And I say, "No, what do they say?" He responds, "Love." The first time he said it I just looked at him funny and said, "No one says that!" "Sure they do!" I then tell him that he's a dork, and he says, "But you love this dork."


I do love that dork :) Good luck on the MCAT!

Party Life

Something my family has never lacked is a reason to party...and when we do party, we like to cram it all into one weekend and make it as long and gigantic as possible.

To illustrate, my dad has coined the phrase "Beason" (Birthday Season), since we usually end up having at least 3 days of parties or events for each person. I love it.

It's tradition for my sisters and I to go shop with mom on our Birthdays. My mom would even check me out of school all growing up to make this happen! Talk about one awesome momma! Not to mention the prime rib dinner she made me and 3 different kinds of brownies...ya, she rocks.

Flowers from the most darling hubby in the world!

Flowers from my Besties!! Ashlyn Hewlett and Mckenzie Bennett...I am so lucky! 

Mom and I had to make a stop at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory from all of our labors...

We didn't actually purchase the bacon, but of course, we had to take a picture!

Visit from my adorable in-laws! Gift card to Mikados and of course, and way cute Braves Basketball shirt :) (Thanks Coach! :) )

So, then to add to our celebrations, Elise decided she just had to graduate on my Birthday! So, my parents took off to her commencement ceremony while I stayed home with the boys who made me a breakfast feast for my Birthday...complete with bacon cooked into their pancakes (yucky)...thankfully, they let me have normal pancakes :) As I stood there with Logan, Jordan and Landon, I realized it was my last birthday before Logan would leave on his mish! So grateful I have that dorky memory of frying bacon into pancakes on my birthday with that cute little boy! (Okay, yes, he's over a half foot taller, but he's always going to be my little broski!)

Next day, bright and early, Elise walked at 8 am at Utah Valley University! Woot woot! So proud of her! She has already been working for four months as a teacher--so she is already off and running! 

Cute cute girl! So proud of her! Model couple.

Couldn't have done it without these two cuties!

Mom and dad have always been so supportive of all of us!

Oh, and Jordan is super excited. He loves 8am graduations! 

Sisters! We've always shared everything, so sharing graduation and a birthday just made sense! :)

To add to this weeks accomplishments, Jordan finished finals and will be taking the MCAT next month (Prayers appreciated! But seriously!) He woke me up to tell me he had "instagrammed" my surprise for him! I'm a Communications major, so I appreciate him attempting to use social media in any way :) He got home at 12:30 am at the end of finals. He has commuted to Provo for a FULL school year since we've gotten married so that I could work in Bountiful. He is so selfless and never complains. I am SO blessed and So proud of him! Only one year left of his undergrad. Time flies.

So, us girls had to make one more stop to City Creek this weekend...because that's how we celebrate! 

Then! My extended family came to party it up some more on Sunday evening! Where Elise and I were spoiled together. So much fun, stuffed into one weekend! 

Oh! And! To top it off, I WON tickets to Iron Man 3 on my birthday, a private viewing in St. George! Who ever actually wins anything?! Not me! I was stunned!!! So Jordan and I will be heading to party again this weekend in St. G where he will do his "birthday stuff" for me, since we were obviously a little short on time this weekend :). He is way too good to me. 

Here is a picture of Iron Man, in case you forgot what he looks like!

Such an amazing week. I am so proud of Elise, she is my idol! And Jordan, what a stud. I have no clue what I'd do without him! I am so grateful for my friends and family who make me feel absolutely spoiled. All the Facebook posts, calls from friends, visits, flowers, chocolate...I could keep going..it's amazing. Birthdays are the best self esteem boosters! I truly stand in awe of all of my many many blessings.

First Time For Everything

Two weeks before Jordan and I got married he asked, "Are we going to start a blog?" Funny that he was the one asking about it, since I'm the one who majored in communications. He might have been asking a bit tongue in cheek, but regardless, 8 months later, I'm finally making it happen! 

8 months has flown by. I know they say time goes by faster the older you get, but it keeps catching me by surprise how quickly it really goes. I can't imagine Jordan not being there now, it seems like we've been married forever--but then again, it feels like it just happened yesterday.

Jordan waited a long time for me to change my mind about him. We were best friends all through high school, wrote through his mission and were inseparable through it all. I always told my mom I couldn't live without him, but I couldn't imagine marrying him...she told me, "Good luck with that!" 

There was a day that something just clicked. After 8 years, I realized that what I felt about him was different than anything I had ever felt. He felt like home. He was the one who had always been there for me, even when I was practically pushing him away. He wasn't going to give up on me. I count my blessings every day that he was willing to trust his heart. He always told me, someday I'd change my mind. There is that moment when you come to grips with the fact that you really can't live without that person..and I couldn't deny it. 

Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life. I woke up surprisingly calm, went to the gym (My mom told me I was probably the only girl on the planet who went to the gym on her wedding day), came home and casually talked with siblings as I attempted to eat something; my family seemed to be a bit more aware of the rush of the day. When I tried to eat, I realized that I was more nervous than I thought, and put breakfast aside so I could start the "getting ready" process. 

I headed over to the temple with my mom and saw Jordan sitting in the Bountiful temple lobby...waiting for me, as always. It seems no matter what, I always run a bit behind (something I try to deny, but the clock doesn't lie I guess). Good thing he is the most patient person I've ever met! As we completed all of the paperwork, it seemed surreal. 

The temple ceremony is something I will never forget. Dear family and friends surrounded us, and I couldn't believe it was actually happening. 

I remember ever since I was little, driving by the temple with my mom and telling her that I would walk out those doors someday, married for time and all eternity to a special someone. As I passed mirrors in the temple, and saw my own reflection in my wedding dress, I couldn't seem to recall when I had grown up. As I looked, I thought that I couldn't believe that this day that every little girl dreams of, was finally here, it was really happening.

Pictures and everything about that day flew by, and I was stunned as I looked at my backyard and saw everything set up for the reception. My parents had done such an incredible job getting everything ready--really my entire family had made it happen. I felt completely spoiled and so incredibly blessed. I cried just like I thought I would, as much as I promised I wouldn't. My eyes are too close to my heart, as my Grandpa always says. The daddy daughter dance, the cake, the wedding dinner, Jordan, my new family, the support, beautiful people, saying goodbye and hello, the love, the beauty of the day, it all made me cry...in the very best way. 

As Jordan and I did our "fake out" drive away from the reception (since my suitcase was still at the house), we got in the car and just smiled and laughed. As we drove back, after the guests had left, I was about to take off for real, and had said good bye to everyone, except for my dad. 

I was looking everywhere, and finally found him in the back yard, alone, still in his tux, watching Jordan and I's wedding video that had been playing. I wanted to cry as soon as I saw him.

He saw me walk towards him and smiled, and said, "I thought you had left!" I told him I couldn't have left without saying goodbye. For that small moment, I felt like I was still his little girl again. I needed him to tell me to leave, that he was going to be okay without me. He smiled, and, very unconvincingly, assured me he would be okay. And he was. 

The day that everyone talks and dreams about, had just happened. I would never wonder again how that day would unfold, but would live 100% satisfied that it was the best day of my life...and not because I loved my dress, or the flowers, or the gorgeous reception, which I did, but because of the realization of what was absolutely most important.