hApPy BiRtHdAy MATT!!!

As noted below...this begins blog #2.

Today was Matt's birthday!! YAYA!! My little husband is growing up! (I would tell you how old he is but I don't want you to know how much of the cradle I robbed.)
In the King family we don't just have birthdays but we have birthday weekends/weeks (depending on what day it's on and how much effort I want to put forth) so we've been celebrating since saturday.
To start off Matt's birthday weekend we went out to lunch at Tucano's...so good..where I was very sneaky and got them to come out and sing to Matt. As I am sure you can imagine Matt wasn't incredibly thrilled about holding a tambourine while they basically yelled Portuguese words at him...but I liked it...I thought it was hilarious! After that we went to the dollar store where Matt picked out birthday hats, a banner, party favors, and wrapping paper for his presents...I am all about the surprises if you can't tell...Afterwards we came home, I wrapped his presents and he opened them a day early (he's very impatient when it comes to presents). It was so nice to just spend a Saturday together and we had a blast doing nothing but laugh.

...we're both very excited, if you couldn't tell...

Today in celebration of his REAL birthday day we had a small get together with Matt's sister and husband. We had cheesecake, cupcakes, and played games. It was fun and Matt was able to send them home with plastic rocket shooters and a puzzle after he had forced us all to wear birthday hats...I don't know if they'll come back...my only hope is the fact that I sent them home a bajillion cupcakes!

...i make a wicked awesome cupcake. cute huh??...

To say the least it's been a fun weekend and I couldn't be more grateful to have the husband that I do. He's everything to me. I am so happy I have him forever and that we have many more birthday weeks to celebrate together!!!

..sunday..sunday..sunday..

Let me begin this post by saying I have a lot to blog about today so I'm blogging twice...I would do just one but who really wants to read a SUPER long post..with that said..here is blog #1.

I love Sunday! It's always exactly what I need. A simple day of rest. No having to stress over school work, shopping-of any kind!, getting the car fixed, etc. etc. I get a whole day to do nothing except spend time with my husband, family, and friends. I love it.
I also love going to church. I'll be honest though I think my mission ruined me. Not in a bad by any means. My mission had played incredibly significant role in my life and has helped shape who I am and what my testimony is. But what I mean is this..as a missionary you pay CLOSE attention to everything that everyone says and does when you have investigators or recent converts around, ESPECIALLY at church. Why you ask? Mostly to have a heads up on why someone might take offense or be confused about what someone said or did. Honestly, members of the church can be kind of funny (that whole Mormon culture thing) but just like in any other place (not just church) you have your WEIRDOS that do or say things that you wonder about. So as a missionary you watch for those things and in a way protect those you're teaching. With that said I think my brain is wired to still keep close watch for things and people so while in church I notice some really funny things.

For example today in church the following things occurred or were mentioned....
...during Sacrament meeting someone bore their testimony on the power of Facebook....
...another talked about their feelings about sunshine...
...in Sunday school discussion took place about the intuition of animals, specifically the inspiration and revelation cats receive and demon seeing horses...
...PETA (not the deliciousness I love to eat but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)...

I must say I couldn't help but laugh. And to be fair although each of these things are a bit odd to discuss at church some POWERFUL testimonies of the love of our Savior were borne.
Honestly though isn't it amazing how people of all different backgrounds can come together and have a conviction to the same thing? I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it to be true and my testimony of the love of our Heavenly Father grows each day. What a blessing it is to have a day out every week to gather and partake of the Sacrament, to renew our covenants, and bear testimony of Jesus Christ. It's incredible to me.

..one of those days...

So I know it's been FOREVER (1 month and 1 day to be exact) since I've posted anything and I have MAJOR things to post about but I don't have any pictures yet. I love when blogs have pictures so I'm waiting until I get some. But two major changes in my life have occurred in the last three weeks.
I got married..best decision of my life...and I started a new job...which I love.
I couldn't be more blessed.

But today is one of those days. Have you ever had

...ONE OF THOSE DAYS...

One of those days where you wake up not in a bad mood but not in a good mood either? or when you feel like the last two hours felt like two hundred hours? or when you just don't feel like you have the motivation or energy to do anything but want to do everything? or you look at your to-do list and secretly hope that you accidentally throw it away and can't remember anything on it? or when you look out the window and think blah? Its supposed to be cloudy and rainy in Washington not Utah. Not after a week of sunshine and flip flops. Or when you've gotten plenty of sleep but are still tired?
I know you know what I am talking about! These days are the pits. These are the days that I want to go crawl back in bed and sleep until tomorrow.
Where do they come from? Why do we have to have them?
Do have those days to help us appreciate the other days?
I am not quite sure.

..12 is my new favorite number..

This is it!! Apartment #12..my (soon to be Matt's) new home! I love it. It's a bit bare at the moment seeings how I moved in yesterday but, as soon as I have it put together I'll post some pictures. Love it. Love life. Love you. Happy Sunday!

am I really that crazy?

So, today I was at work and one of our co-workers came down to visit. Mind you, I love this girl. She came to say hi and was asking how things were. I told her about my sister's wedding, how I've been feeling sick (I've had a stomach ache the last couple days), and how I had TONS of homework to get done before our wedding. She then proceeded to bellow, "YOU'RE CRAZY."

Excuse me...what?

Now, she didn't mean this in a bad way in any shape or form but, it did catch me off guard. She then began to say how she still couldn't believe I was getting married while I was in grad school and working. She kept going off about how many "life changing" events I was going through and how I just kept plugging along like it was "normal." And what events? I had no idea what she meant. She then explained "life changing events" as in coming home from a mission, going back to work, getting engaged, starting grad school again, planning a wedding, and applying for full time jobs.

What else am I supposed to do with my time?

I guess yeah..in a way those are all life changing and yeah I am exhausted but, what am I supposed to do? Take all those blessings and just be like "oh thanks..but I'm not ready" Nope. I don't think so. Plus, I never really looked at any of those things being life changing but, after she mentioned that I guess they kind of are. I mean, once I get a full time job no more making my own schedule or taking time off when I need-that'll be the pits, I'll a boy for a roommate-that's kind of weird, my mission-no words can even begin to describe that experience, and school is school-that never seems to change.

I don't think I'm crazy. But, who knows? I'll just keep plugging along and we'll see what happens.

Is this what it feels like to be grown up?

weddings..weddings..so many weddings!!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything and there's so much to catch up on!! Matt and I are still plugging along getting ready for our wedding (PS: it's in TWO weeks!! I cannot wait!). But, as of late we’ve been attending some other important weddings and we’re getting more and more impatient each day.

Last Saturday one of my mission companions got married. It was SO much fun! Lauren was one of my many favorite companions and we’ve become very close friends. She made a beautiful bride and we couldn’t be happier for her and Josh! They were married in the Salt Lake Temple and it was really interesting for Matt and I to be sitting there knowing that in less than three weeks, we’d be in the same place. It’s insane how quick time goes!!

Speaking of how time flies…yesterday was also a BIG wedding day for our family!! My baby sister got married yesterday (I wish I had a picture..I’ll post some as soon as I get a copy or two)!! She was gorgeous and absolutely glowing! I’m so proud of her. Brett, her new hubby, is one lucky boy! She’ll take good care of him. It was a beautiful day and no one could have asked for better weather. Brett and Shannon were sealed in the Bountiful Temple and it was incredible. Her reception was at Memory Grove in Salt Lake and it was picture perfect. Beautiful centerpieces, delicious mini cupcakes (those were SOOO stinkin good!), pictures galore, and of course an incredibly good looking wedding party! I am a little biased but, we’re all very good looking people, especially those brothers of mine.
Overall, it was an eventful and wonderful day to spend with family and friends! Sometimes it’s crazy to think my little sister is so grown up! I’m lucky to have her. We’re best friends and I’m excited for her new little family! Congratulations Shannon and Brett!!

PS...we got our "broomals"back...super cute! Here's a little sneak peek!

..April 1..here we come..

Well...it's official. The countdown began today..one month left until I will be Mrs. Matthew Ryan King (OR Sister King..which ever you prefer).
I cannot wait!! Time has gone by so fast. It's amazing to me that not even 7 months ago I came home from my mission and now I'm counting down the days until I say "I do." I never anticipated to be getting married so quickly but, I'm so excited.
Matt is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. (Prepare yourself for the sappy, lovey, dovey stuff...) I couldn't ask for anyone better to spend eternity with. Matt makes me laugh, he makes me cry (happy tears of course!), he helps me to be my best, he's supportive, he wants me to accomplish my goals, he lets me be crazy when I need to be and he holds my hand when I need to be brave, he stays up all night long with me when I have to work, he's a worthy Priesthood holder, he's smart, good looking, and very sweet, he's willing to sacrifice any and everything to make sure we're taken care of, he works hard, he plays hard, and most importantly he loves me.
Honestly, I could go on and on and on about why I love him but, I'll spare you the novel. Overall, I couldn't be happier. Well..maybe if April 1 was here already...30 days and counting...