Apples, Peaches, Smiles, and Cider

Oh, my! Fall.  I know I raved about autumn in New England last year. But I must have forgotten a little bit, because I feel totally blown away.  The leaves dance in the breeze flaunting shocking reds, flirty pinks, bold oranges.... then the apples, straight from the tree.  Peaches so juicy and sweet, you need at least three napkins to clean up your mess.

Cliche, but I totally love it. 

We went apple-picking at a crazy fun apple orchard close to West Haven.  We indulged in kettle corn, bags of apples and peaches, apple cider, then snuggled on the grass next to a duck pond while watching kids hurl chunks of crumbly bread at the eager beaks of the birds.  We needed that relaxing break from all the pandemonium of this semester.  Halfway done!  WOOT!
I can't believe how quickly, and yet slowly time flies.  I am seeing patients regularly now, and feeling increasingly comfortable in clinic.  Dental hygiene school is very challenging, but rewarding.  I truly love what I am doing, and know that this is my path in life.  I am eagerly anticipating the end of school when Tony and I get to move on to the next chapter in our lives.  We have been so blessed along each step of the journey, and know this home stretch is the part where our dear Savior is carrying us through. Every single day, the knowledge that I am a daughter of God who is special, talented, and loved puts a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

The apple store... Amazing!

If I had a caramel apple

that close to my face, I would be

wearing a different expression:

BLISS.

Another shot of the apple store. 

Amazing Women Part 1

Being so far away from my family, then spending time with the gang this summer made me realize how unfathomably grateful I am for the women in my family. I have been blessed with women who nurture, demonstrate charity and compassion, and yet still fit the description of a "spit-fire."  These women, these unsung heroes, deserve a special debut to feel the love an appreciation of their hard work and dedication.  And this is only part 1.

First, my sister, Nicole.

Nicole is 10.5 years younger than me, and the vast time canyon makes her life interestingly different than my experiences growing up.  Even now, she lives as an only child with my parents.  Yet, she somehow manages to compile all of the positive traits of her siblings as she develops into a young woman.  She inherently treats people with sweetness, and strives to unearth smiles from grumpy faces.  She's ambitious and willing to learn, searching each and every day to build herself into a better person.  Certainly a spit-fire! I have so much to learn from her.  

Second, my sister-in-law, Jen.

I met Jen 10 years ago and she instantly struck me as a dynamic woman.  I soon came to learn how much of her dynamic worth went unnoticed. She is obviously smart, patient, and an easy fit into our family.  Then I started learning more about her core: the part not so obviously seen.  Jen sees answers to problems before the problem even arises, then takes care of business.  Her brain constantly whirs... always figuring out ways to help those around her.  I have never seen so much Christ-like charity housed in one body.  She loves unconditionally and patiently.  Her devotion to her children moves me to tears, and they flourish under her love and tutelage.  She is a friend to turn to, a shining example, and a inspiring mother and wife.

Third, my beautiful mother, Sue. 

I am so blessed to carry along the name of such an accomplished, compelling, and motivating woman.  She epitomizes every beautiful thing: mother, wife, friend, mentor, inspiration.  She loves fiercely.  This love enables her to protect those she cares about, so let's just go ahead and add protector to her list of many talents.  She taught me loyalty, work ethic, and how to balance a multi-faceted life. She helped me explore and develop my little world, opening my eyes to my limitless potential.  She touches everyone she meets, and spreads the happiness along the way.  Somehow, with all this concentrated sweetness, she knows how to have fun and get a little spicy.  As the "cherry" on top, she taught me to try new things with an open mind.... so you can blame her for Tony and me living in Connecticut!

Last, the woman who started it all, my Grandmother, Barbara. 

Barbara IS the definition of a spit-fire.  Growing up in New Mexico, she dreamed of marrying a Montana cowboy.  When she got a teaching offer in Winston, she packed her bags and became a Montana girl.  She met and married her feisty Montana cowboy, Jack, and raised her family in Townsend.  It's easy to see where my mom gets her fierce love, as no other words can describe the bond between Barbara and her family.  Throughout their family's climbs, spills, and adventures, Barbara gracefully succeeded in every endeavor: mothering, working, teaching, performing, even cooking for the jailhouse inmates (my grandfather was the Sheriff)!  I firmly believe there isn't ANYTHING this woman can't do, and do well. Now, as she is nearing her 90's, she writes historical fiction novels. Her latest, Montana Lawman, celebrates the life she built with her husband in Townsend.  

(She's on the right, if you can't tell :)

I love each of these women dearly, and am so proud of them.  I am blessed to have such shining examples and teachers surrounding me, and I hope to live up to their high standard. Thank you for all you do.  

 

Pictures!

If a picture says 1,000 words, lets just pretend I'm saying all those things right now... and show you what our life has been like through pictures!  I can't describe our happiness any better way :)

 Me and Kalaela!  Hanging out with the Staus Family.

On our fabulous 1 year anniversary, my husband surprised with breakfast in bed

Along with a dozen roses

And chocolate!

A surprise from my husband

when he went for a beach stroll

3 angels! SO Sweet.  Blake, Carissa, and Alivia.

Little Lance.  Look at those baby-blues!

Blake is one handsome boy.

 Another handsome man

with baby-blues ;)

One of the stunning cliffs in Moab, UT

along the Negro Bill hike.

Maybe my mind is constantly tuned in to chocolate, but I can't help but 

visualize dripping chocolate from a melty ice cream cone.  Yum!

 Another Moab, UT pic

So happy to be a Dalton girl!

Blake... keep your eye on him...

he is totally prone to getting into trouble!

Carissa can't help but smile in the arms of her Grammy

Summertime in Montana....

Literally perfect. 

Tracy... The Cowgirl!

Do we look exhausted?

Yes.

Did we just have the time of our lives floating the Smith River?

YES!

15 months and still happily married. 

I promise!

NYC!!!!

Splurges!

“You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” 

Truth!

Tony and I have been so busy the past few weeks.

And yet, somehow, spring managed to come!

I love wandering around, feeling the warmth radiating

from everything!  The trees, people, the peeking flowers,

the budding grass....

Warmth. 

Ahhhhhhhhh :)

Anyway, we have been trying to have some fun sandwiched 

in between studying, projects, and more 

studying.  And clinicals.  

But don't get me started on clinicals. 

Our school sponsored a spring carnival for Cinco de Mayo,

so Tony won a sombrero!

I wouldn't wear it.... 

Only because it looks so much better on him....

Look at that stud!

We also saw the new Iron Man movie.

See?  We splurged!

It happens so rarely, 

we just had to take a picture of it. 

Tony and his best friend!

A random wild turkey in front of our apartment. 

WHAT?? 

Happy springtime everyone!

Playing Catch Up

Just when we thought things in life couldn't get any crazier....

they DID!

But that's ok.  We just put on our big kid pants and started trucking away!  

Tony got a 4.0 last trimester and is just starting another bout of school (sounds like he's contracted a serious illness.... careful everyone... it's highly contagious.....) He still loves his program and comes home everyday with new stories for me, new ideas, and a general fervor for learning and trying new things.  He is attempting a special project right now, although I can't imagine where he is finding time between school, research, internship hunting, basketball, and keeping up with my ridiculous schedule.  He is such a champ... he is even my patient every Monday for 3 hours!  He (albeit rather grudgingly) lets me poke around in his mouth and pester him for weeks.  I can't believe how lucky I am that he supports me so fully. 

Dental hygiene.... wait.... I don't think I want to open this can of worms!  In summary, classes and clinic are going very well.  The curriculum is challenging, time-consuming, and sometimes tear-inducing.  Luckily, I get to come home to my sweet husband every night and he reminds me everyday why I am going through this.  Then volleyball workouts remind me why most schools don't let dental hygiene students play collegiate sports!  Just one day at a time.....

The sun teases the east coast.  It will shine exuberantly, then laugh at you when an icy winds cuts your bones in half.  But every day is a little warmer :)  We can't wait until summertime. Heck, we would even settle for leafy trees at this point!

A Moment Like This

Sorry I have been absent for a while in the blog world. 

After a week of sleepless nights, 

some tears, 

lots of homework,

and exams....

we are all feeling much better now!

We went to a Yale basketball game!  Thanks Court for taking us!

I have never seen a place quite like the Yale gym. 

Very Hogwarts-esque.

High, vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and no air-conditioning.

And so much fun!

And, of course, Valentine's Day :)

Tony was my first ever Valentine.... 

and he will be my Valentine forever!

We exchanged gifts in the morning 

(only because Tony knows how impatient I am about opening presents...)

Then we went to school. ALL. DAY.

Tony picked me up after class with a rose in hand, 

so I knew we were going to have a fun night. 

When we got home, the house was all clean, roses were waiting on the table, along with 

a dinner setting for 2 and lots (and lots) of chocolate.  We ate yummy italian food in our sweats!

Tony made a plaque for me with a very sweet message :)

I gave him a picture book illustrating our second year together

set to the lyrics of Kelly Clarkson's song

"Moment Like This"

so..... practically a wedding album ;)

My husband is just the best.  

Oh and funny poem of the day....

"Roses are red

But sometimes they're thorny

When I'm with you

I get kind of.....

corny. 

I know what you were thinking.... shame on you!"

Haha <3

Finding (and Enjoying!) Nemo

Coming from Montana,

We have seen a lot of snow storms

We have made innumerable snowmen

We have shoveled snow until our noses froze

But this was something else. 

We found Nemo.

Holy buckets.

I never thought he would be so excited to see us :)

We ended up with about 30 inches of snow in our area, 

although many of my friends had closer to 40 inches. 

Our first task:

Dig out the car

Then we could have a little fun!

This isn't our car.  We just didn't have the camera, so this is

the car just ahead of ours.  Our looked just like this one!

Tony fell in!  I'm still trying to get him out!

Look how deep that is.... 

Welcome to West Haven, CT!  Home of 

white beaches as far as the eye can see!

Just watch out for tourists!

Taking a stroll

Connecticut's first Montana Snowman!

Go Chargers!

Marriage

A recent acquaintance asked me why Tony and I got married so young

Which got me thinking,

Why did Tony and I get married so young?   

I was (an still am) 22, and Tony was 24

but we definitely weren't factoring our age into the marriage equation.  

So what could possibly posses us to forgo relationship spontaneity, random flirtations, and thrilling "firsts" to shoulder responsibility, monogamy, and a lifetime of the same thing over and over and over again?

Truthfully, that's an easy question to answer.

We like it.  

In fact, we love it.  Because we love each other. 

We still have spontaneity, random flirtations, and thrilling "firsts"

and we are lucky enough to share each and every one with our best friend. 

Marriage isn't a ball and chain for either of us, and this is my list of my top 5 reasons why:

1.) LOVE.  Real, honest-to-goodness, pure, simple, deep love. I love him.  He is my sunshine, my motivation, my steady hand, my foundation, my happiness, and my 

best friend. 

It's the most important reason we got married.  

With every single day that passes, I find the love between us growing stronger.  

2.) TRUST.  I don't have to worry about him, and he doesn't have to worry about me.  Period. Nothing in our past causes shadows of doubt.

Nothing in our future scares me.  

I trust in our love, our relationship, and the foundation of our marriage. 

3.) GOALS.  We are striving to achieve similar goals in life; therefore, we help each other along the twisted, convoluted path of life.  

4.) FAITH.  We share a love of God, Jesus Christ, and our faith in our religious convictions. 

5.) TONY.  He is definitely a huge reason why I wanted to marry so young.  He is one of the best men I have ever met, and I would have been foolish to let him slip through my fingers.  It was time for me to grow up, and cherish the beautiful responsibility of being a wife and, someday, a mother. We may have been young, but our relationship was ready for this step.  

And it's not the same thing over and over and over.  

Every day seems like a better day than yesterday.  

I'm just so lucky to have found Tony. 

We still flirt. 

We still can be spontaneous.  

And we get to spend every day living

happily

ever

after 

:)

Nerds

Go... live your dream!

I will. 

Your dream stinks. I was talking to her.

 

I love Tangled :)  It is so applicable to life.  

Tony and I were discussing our passions the other night.  He described to me my passions (he was totally right), and I took a stab at his (which were also right).  Glad to hear how well we know each other.  I am so grateful to have a constant motivator- patiently supporting me in my endeavor to achieve my dreams.  I hope I can do the same for him.  The most comical moments in our marriage happen when we start attempting to interest each other in our personal passions.  We never get very far on each other.  However, we have both discovered that we are extremely nerdy.  An example of our conversations:

Tony: "Class today blew my mind!  Did you know that HR in most organizations is totally misused, causing employee dissatisfaction and low achievement?"

Me: "Did you know inherent filtration occurs within the primary beam passes through the glass window of the x-ray tube, the insulating oil, and the tubehead seal, which includes approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mm of aluminum?"

Moment of silence.

Both: "Baahahahahahaha....."

Tony: "We are nerds."