Kyle soaks in everything my dad tells him. When he cooks he makes me call them to ask how my mom does it, or my dad (depending on what he’s cooking). If he had it his way my parents would just stay here the whole summer so he could go fishing with my dad every day. I love that they get along so well, and that Kyle cherishes my dad as much as I do. Anyway, my dad has told him all about different plants and fun tricks to do with them, so we now have a little garden. Inside we have an avocado and tomatoes starting as well. So…if you receive a “pickle” in the mail from Kyle, blame my dad! 

sunshine is finally here

great things

We made it through our first year as cougars. For those of you who haven’t heard, Kyle got the scholarship!! He was able to get his gpa up above a 3.0, with a lot of studying and hard work. I finished this semester with an almost perfect gpa. I got an 89.99% in one class, and the rest A’s. Of course the professor didn’t round my grade. I have to say I am still really proud of myself for doing so well. And I am very proud of Kyle.

We finally found a church that we love. It reminds us so much of home and CTK. We are doing well with saving and sticking to budgets (for the most part!). Maybe we are just lucky, but this first year of marriage has been pretty incredible. I don’t know how to put everything into words. We are just really happy and grateful for this life. Now we are looking forward to enjoying summer and seeing friends and family as much as we can. SO COME VISIT(: 

EASTER

We spent Easter in Pullman this year. We were going to drive home, but realized it would be cheaper, and much less complicated to stay here. Sharing our time with both families is hard on holidays, and Easter is no exception. Kyle's family does a get together at Aunt Karen's and Uncle Robs, and my family gets together for brunch and then hangs out as a family and watches the kids have their hunt. There is just not enough hours in the day to really do both! 
On Friday I went to the grocery store and picked up three dozen eggs. They have these new baskets that you pull around like a wagon. I really want to race in them. I found out (by accident) that they drift corners. I had my basket full of eggs and someone asked me if i was dying them with my kids. I replied that I didn't have kids, and he said "so are you making your husband dye them with you?" Not making, letting. Then he told me that it sounded like we really needed to have kids. Saturday we dyed the eggs with Taryn and Steve, aka: our normal neighbors :]

It was absolutely beautiful outside. Kyle bbq'd and then we went and saw the movie RIO, which was actually quite funny. 
Sunday we went to church in Beasley coliseum. There were about two thousand people there, and it reminded us both so much of CTK. There were also a million precious babies all dolled up. After church we went to brunch with the neighbors, and there brother and sister. Aside from missing out on the family that day, we really had a great weekend, and spent it with good friends. 

                                                                   LOVE, US

...Time...

I was sitting and enjoying a book and some sunshine while Kyle was down at the snake river with his concrete canoe team. I decided to have some fun with the camera he got me for valentines day this year. More then that, I was thinking back on the past nine months and how fast life goes by when we aren't paying attention. Even when we don't intend it to, it slips right through our finger tips.

Kyle. I love you.

third times a charm

After three tries, we finally made pho. The best part is I discovered if you don't add any sauces it is less then 100 calories per bowl. An excuse to cook it more often...

Piece of Me

 

Over break I spent a lot of time with my two nieces, Madesyn and Kyla. It's funny that they (whoever they are) say time changes everything. I like to believe there are still some things so pure they are unbreakable by time. Like the bond I have with these two girls. I was twelve when Madesyn was born. She was my first niece, and our families little miracle. Joining us at just over one pound. At first I loved her because I got to dress her up in my american girl clothes. Then I loved her because "Sa" was one of her first words. She followed me around and wrapped me around her finger. 
   Kyla came a couple of years later. I swear that girl was born with the world's biggest personality. Although I'm sure having an aunt that made silly faces with her and taught her how to pose didn't help. She is full of attitude, but she makes me laugh. Madesyn helped me decide whether or not I should date Kyle, and helped me clean off the "be my girlfriend?" on my car. She was five. The biggest concern she had was whether or not Kyle would share me. She saw me almost every day for five years...her whole life. We had both The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast memorized. Every word. She was my little in so many ways. She looked like me, and had so many of my characteristics. You can ask anyone in our family and they will tell you Madesyn and I have a very close bond. We always have, and I'm not really sure there is any one good reason for it. The hardest thing about moving away was leaving them. Trying to explain they wouldn't see me for a while. Explain why I couldn't come to everything like I always had. I knew I was going to miss out on so much. I did, and I didn't. Time couldn't change how close we are. It couldn't change how much I love being an aunt, or any of the million memories we had together. I think if love is a pure and true love, love like you have for family and closest friends, time knows better then to even try... 

Yes, We are VERY Much In Love

A lot of people have asked me two questions lately. One: when are you having a baby? Two: How is the marriage? We are not having a baby any time soon, sorry! Although we were driving yesterday and the words "that will make a great family car" came out of Kyle's mouth. For the second question. It is wonderful. Kyle and I are in a really great place, and it surprises me too. We were warned about all the first year fights and issues. We were terrified it would come down to boxing gloves at some point. We have our fights, like any married couple. It isn't always perfect, and I would be lying if I said it was. We are still learning how to balance our lives together, and what it means to be a part of each other's families. (Neither of which we expect to happen over night). For the most part though, we are really just enjoying each other. It is funny to hear other couples talk about it, because in all honesty we are loving just about every minute. I am pretty lucky to have a man that can still give me butterflies. And Kyle...well he would be bored and lost without me (: