Here and Now

We've been home now for about a month. It is both strange and exciting to be back where everything is familiar. Strange because it is just that...just familiar, because nothing and no one remains exactly as you left them. We are all moved in to our townhouse and on the fence about how much we want to make it a home. I thought we were in this "in between" time during college, but we are now more than ever before. We finished an absolutely incredible chapter of our lives and are in a prologue to what lies ahead. I have been doing a lot of cleaning and running around town while Kyle works. He loves his new job and it is going so well for him. I am starting a job as a lead teacher next week. I'm trying to look at it as a stepping stone until I find a position in what I feel more called to do. Life just feels very up in the air at the moment. For now we will do our best to soak in the little moments and blessings we have while we pray for what comes next. “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” -VG

See You Later

Kyle and I first started this blog to keep friends and family updated on our lives as we set off on a new adventure. Our adventure was starting at WSU and navigating our way through married life. I remember writing the very first post. I remember moving and thinking that I was once again leaving everyone I would ever need and love. Pullman was closer than Utah, but still world's away. Kyle was excited and positive as always. He balances me out in that way. I had no high hopes for Pullman, I can't lie.
This is probably the last post I will write while sitting in the first home we had together. The last time I will write from Pullman. It is so bittersweet. All of it. If you had told me two and a half years ago that I would be sad to leave this place I would have laughed. Today, I'm much more than sad going into our final week here. As I reflect on our time all I can think about are the AMAZING people we have come to call friends here.

Kyle met this ridiculous group of guys right off the bat. All I heard was "Justin this.." Justin that. Then came Nate and Brady, Nick, John, Chuck, Sanders, Giesman, Evan, Riley and Stefan. I know I'm forgetting people, but these are the guys that I got to know most as well. I was so nervous to meet everyone and I imagined them talking about math and weird engineering problems. Sorry boys, judged you wrong! Kyle made some great friends and to my surprise so did I. These guys have made us laugh, supported us, and made our college experience worth every penny. It would not have been the same without them. Not one bit. And lucky for me, some of these guys have wonderful girls in their lives that we became friends with. Emily, Brittani, and Jenna you have made my time here fly by. Brittani you are the most down to earth girl I think I have ever met. Your smile is contagious and my life is brighter because of you. Em, I am so excited that I get to live in the same zip code as you again soon. You are so caring, and it was so good to have you around with all those boys. Jenna, I wish I would have gotten to know you sooner! But I can say that Kyle and I will be friends with you and Nate(and the gang) for years to come so we will make up for that.

My first semester at WSU...I was nervous and so unsure about meeting new people. I walked into what I now look back on as my all time favorite class, and sat down at a table full of gorgeous girls. My first thought was oh no, they are totally sorority girls and I'm going to regret my seat choice. There I go being absolutely wrong again. Julie and Rach, you were my first close friends here. I cannot begin to tell you how much you have meant to me. Julie, you have made me laugh even on the worst day. You always know what to say and I never once worried about being real with you. You are a true friend and I can't imagine my life without our crazy antics. Rach, my coffee friend. You have the biggest heart and the sweetest soul. You always asked about my life and knew what was going on and we became friends at such a deep and unexpected level. Sisterwife I'm going to miss you a tremendous amount. I'm going to miss all of the Duncan girls. Emi, Shannon, and Christine you girls made me feel like an honorary roommate and Lord knows that was a good break from living with a boy sometimes! You are all so beautiful and I can't wait to see where life takes you. I grew up surrounded by boys for the most part, and being married to an engineer only added to the testosterone in my life. My time with you was so needed and appreciated. I am going to miss it. I didn't expect to come to college and find a group of girls that I loved so much.

Taryn and Steve: well we met this adventurous pair in our stairwell I believe. They lived right across from us, and as fate would have it one day Taryn locked herself out. We started talking and found out they were married the day after us. We ended up joining their soccer team (which is a whole other list of awesome people we met here), and spent more and more time together. I would say the icing on the cake was when we had to call Steve to pull our jeep out of the mud. From then on we went on our adventures all together. I honestly believe that in that short amount of time we met our married couple lifelong friends, because there is such a thing. When you miss someone so much you fall asleep watching a movie together over skype...well that's when you know it's a friendship worth keeping in my book. Especially when it's a disney original. We can't wait to come adventure with you in England/Europe...miss you guys!

Last but certainly not least is Ashlee. I hired Ashlee then quit being the manager and convinced her to be. She has become not only my Pullman best friend, but one of my best friends in any zip code. Ash, thank you for being there, no matter what. Who would have thought I'd be friends with a red head and a "housewife"? Life has some pretty great surprises, and you have been one of my favorite.

WSU you had your way with us and gave us some ups and downs, but certainly left us with a thousand memories for the books. We had the most incredible college experience and we owe a lot of that to all of you. Definitely not goodbye, just a see you later. Go out and change the world...and hey, GO COUGS “You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..." -Tom Petty

WSU>UW

rushing the field

MR. & MRS.

the girls

I'm sure you have heard by now, but the cougars finally won the apple cup. I couldn't be more thrilled on the timing because it was our last one, and we spent it with our favorite football friends. This semester has been long and hard for Kyle and had so many big changes for me, but we have been so blessed. I couldn't have asked for a better send off from WSU. We are leaving Pullman so proud to be Cougs and with memories that will last a life time. 

Smile

 

Happy birthday to the most precious one year old I know. This boy has kept us all on our toes and been Mr. entertainment. I cannot wait to see what he has up his sleeve during his toddler years. Mostly because we can spoil him, then send him home to mom and dad(:

Dad's Weekend 2012

Kyle and I are both lucky enough to have Dad's in our lives. One thing I love about WSU is that they take time to appreciate family and the people that got us to where we are today. Dad's weekend 2012 was a good break mid-semester to spend time with these special guys. I don't think it really matters what kind of relationship you have with your dad...nothing and no one can ever truly replace it. My dad is the man that scared every monster away, sat with me on the couch when girls were mean, and my longest running valentine. He has shown me unconditional love and what it looks like to be an amazing father and husband. He has set the bar high for Kyle and given me everything he ever could. I would be lost without him, that much I am sure of. Kyle's dad is someone who always cares and wants whats best for Kyle. He is sincere and sensitive. Though they claim to be polar opposites, from time to time I catch glimpses of Matt in Kyle. Kyle wouldn't be the adventurous, risk taking, passionate, and stubborn guy he is without his dad. 

Thanks for driving the distance to spend a little time with us. We love you both!

Forty.Five

 My Parents celebrated forty-five years of marriage. Almost half a century of being best friends, adventurers, travelers, partners in crime and laughter. I truly cannot imagine either one without the other...that, to me, is a marriage worth having. They have set such a beautiful example for all of us. You two deserve the absolute world. Thank you for loving all of us unconditionally. Hope you know how much we appreciate and love you both!

You Got My Sunshine

Mallory Anne Ingram: welcome to the world sweet baby girl. 

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for"

Mallory and her great-grandma (91)