Second Anniversary

A long time ago, or what seems like it now, Kyle and I use to sit up in a tree on squalicum beach and talk about our goals and dreams. In a scrapbook we made a list of places we wanted to see together, and adventures we wanted to go on. I called them "Kyle's Firsts" but as the years have gone by I have definitely been on some "firsts" of my own with Kyle too! Last year for our first wedding anniversary we went skydiving in Hawaii. That was one of the most incredible things we have done. I always tell him it's up there with the wedding day. This year for our second anniversary we went bungee jumping in Whistler, B.C. I told Kyle that was one thing I would never do, no matter what. Then I realized something...or rather a few things. First, I made a vow to be by Kyle's side through all of life's experiences (which doesn't exactly mean jumping off a bridge, and I realize I could have just been there to witness). Second, if I didn't bungee jump with Kyle he would still be going...without me. He would have that memory with someone else and I would probably regret it. Lastly, I thought about it and the one thing I'm terrified of most is dying. BUT maybe, just maybe, if the only thing I have left to do at the end of my life is die, then dying won't be quite so scary. So I decided to face my fear and take a risk. It's not something that I am itching to do ever again, but I am really glad that I did it. We had another first together and lived to tell the tale. For our next anniversary maybe we should just relax on a beach...

We have shirts to prove it.

Two going on Forever

This summer has been a busy one for Kyle and I so far. It has been so nice to be back in Bellingham and closer to friends and family. Strange to think that this chapter of our lives is slowly winding down as we get ready for the next. We have a lot of big decisions and changes in the not so distant future. Being a 'real' adult isn't always all it's cracked up to be, but our childhoods are surviving and thriving somewhere inside us still.
Two years ago Kyle and I said our vows. We wrote our own, because although we love traditions, we tend to go with the nontraditional. We vowed to be by each other's side through all of life's experiences, and share this crazy adventure called life together. The past two years have not been perfect all of the time, but to be honest, they have been pretty amazing. People told us the first year would be the hardest and the worst...we had the time of our lives and enjoyed being married an absurd amount. Our second year of marriage a lot of people listed off a lot of statistics and told us the second year would be our worst. It was a little more challenging because we both had very busy class schedules, but...we still made amazing memories and had a lot of laughs. We made our apartment into a home, and tried a lot of new recipes together. Sorry to break it to you, but kitchen hugs, dancing in the dark, forehead kisses, Sunday adventures, and TLC beat all the statistics. Life isn't a fairy-tale, or a Nicholas Sparks book, but sometimes it still turns out pretty extraordinary. Sometimes two people's lives intertwine and in this perfectly ordinary life we get swept off our feet. So Kyle Mathew Aamot, thank you for two incredible years on this adventure. Sometimes you still even sweep me off my feet.

odds and ends

Dad's 72nd

makeovers

cohen's first "rib"

bein cute

uncle kyle

family bbq

eric...ha

kyle and seth

bridget and co

Big

Being home means spending time with family. I love that my family is growing so much and how much fun we all have together now that we are "growing up". Here's a peak at some of the cute nieces and nephews we have spent time with over the past few weeks. Having a big family means getting picked on and teased, but it also means someone's always got your back.

jasper

cohen

seth

madesyn & kyla

sweet spot

We are home for the summer, and it has been incredible. Kyle is interning at Granite, and I am teaching at Whatcom Day Academy. Kyle is absolutely loving every day of work, so I guess he really chose the right career. Not only will he enjoy what he does, but he will make good money doing it. The kids that I get the pleasure to spend time with are really adorable and I think laugh lines are just around the corner for me. We are getting so excited to see what the next 6 months hold for us. It feels like life is starting for us. It is both terrifying and amazing. To celebrate being home we went for a walk on "our beach". The memories that place holds for us are so precious.

We Did It.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." If you had told me five years ago that I would one day marry my best friend, and not only graduate college, but be on the Dean's list, I would have told you those things would never happen for me. What lies behind me I will never forget. I will never fix, let go, or understand. What lies before me? Something unimaginably wonderful. What lies in me is more than I ever thought possible. I did it. I did what I never thought I could. I kept going. I am two weeks away from receiving my college diploma. I'm a first generation college student. I wanted to give up so many times. Instead I pushed through and somehow wound up surprising even myself with what I was capable of. 
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
Kyle is a few credits away from being done. Yes, we are walking at the same graduation ceremony. No, it was NOT some special request. He was given the option to walk in Spring or Winter, and chose spring so we could celebrate together with our families. Kyle has come so far since he started college. His GPA has improved tremendously. He may even graduate with honors...he's pretty darn close now. I have seem him defeated and seconds from tossing in the towel. He never did, be proud of that. He isn't a quitter, and when people push him down he just comes back swinging. When people discouraged him or told him he would never make it, it only gave him more fuel, so thank you. Thank you for being a part of his drive to surprise anyone who doubted him. He knew what he wanted to become, and didn't lose sight of that dream. 
Our life looks pretty amazing on paper and in pictures. It isn't always perfect though. We have struggled. We have encouraged each other through the struggles. This has been one crazy and fun adventure together. It isn't easy to go out in the world and try to figure out who you are suppose to be. It's harder when people that are suppose to love you no matter what always expect you to be one way. Harder yet when what they want is always changing. We have been looked at through a magnifying glass, and we are well aware. The comments and rumors don't stop shy of our ears. If you love Kyle then you know I'm part of the package. I'm slow to warm up, but I'm probably not the person you were expecting. Give me a chance. If you love me, then accept Kyle. I'm not stupid, I'm married to him. I know he is flawed, as am I. As are YOU. Accept that and love him because I LOVE him. Stop being so hard on him and give him a chance. We are so happy that we get to experience a happy marriage and graduate together and live this crazy life together. Be happy for us! Have hope for us. 

“I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.”

WSU 2012

Thank you to everyone who loved, supported, and believed in us. Your encouragement helped us get to where we are. It has meant so much. 

Love, US.

Mom's Weekend

"But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins."

Kyle had a house full of women this past weekend. For me it was a nice change, but for Kyle I'm sure it was mostly entertaining. Our mothers, my godmother, Ginger, Kylie, and Peyton all made the long car ride over to spend Mom's weekend with us. In little moments of silence I realize how much I take the family in my life for granted. I know it may sound awful, but sometimes I take people all in…just stare at them from their laugh lines to their wrinkled hands. I get lost in the little details that take me off guard. The little changes that you don't notice because their smile and laughter stayed the same. Then I think to myself "how much longer will I have them?" The thought process of a pessimist. After the thought of loss comes the afterthought of "where's the pause and rewind?" Our memories are the only time machine we may ever have, but mine take me back to so many great moments. Sitting in second grade on the reading carpet waiting for my turn to give Mrs. Callero (my godmother/"aunt") a shoulder massage. She was one clever teacher because we fought over who could massage her each day. Keeping Ginger awake all night because Kylie, Peyton, and I could not stop laughing. Every hair brush and nightgown my mom burned leaning against the fireplace to get warm while we all laughed and my Dad shook his head. And in what seems like the not so distant past, sitting just feet away from the woman who would one day be my mother-in-law thinking how lucky my friend Kyle was to have such a precious mom and family. Somehow I ended up with all of these amazing women in my life. Having them all in the same room was hysterical and I'm fairly certain a decent abs workout. I'm so glad that everyone was able to come and Kyle and I have this weekend to look back on. Life is incredible, but if we let it, is so capable of passing us by.    "It's such a shame to waste time. We always think we have so much of it." Thank you for coming and giving us so many laughs and memories. Love, us