Easter Traditions

Although Brady usually kindly vetoes my ideas for family traditions (i.e. Tres Leche Cake apparently is not a significant enough reference to Jesus' three days in the grave, and so it got cut from our Easter menu...although I do admit to stretching its symbolic worth just to have an excuse to eat it), he did approve the idea of decorating Peeps for a festive FHE (no religious symbolism here, by the way)...

Okay, so...not exactly Pinterest-worthy, but they DID make incredible s'mores.

 Like, incredible. If there is still leftover Easter candy at your local Target, you should buy them out.

Brady enjoyed this creativity so much, that we decided to make a wreath for our front door:

...and he even accompanied me to Hobby Lobby, to pick out the materials! "There is so much to look at," he commented as we were leaving. "Someone could spend forever in there!"

It was a moment of empathetic connection. I think that he now understands where his wife goes some Saturday afternoons.

We came home and made Good Friday dinner (no Tres Leche...) before breaking out our crafting supplies. Then Brady and I watched Skyfall and fashioned our spring wreath.

18 and up only, please (months, that is)

I love Sandra Rast, and I love this painting in our dining room :)

After I was released from Relief Society two weeks ago, I joked with Brady that if I was called to the nursery I would spend the first two weeks disinfecting the toys with Lysol.

...ahem...

Haha, ok so today was my second Sunday in my new calling (as Assistant Nursery Leader) and I have politely tucked away my germophobia to wholeheartedly love thirteen adorable 18-month to 3 year olds.

Ok, so I won't lie. The first Sunday I was there, I sat down and was eye to eye with uncovered coughing fits and toddlers who so generously spit their gum out to me for proper disposal. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous. But I smiled through the cloud of coughy germs and told the little ones to hold onto their masticated Juicyfruit until I returned with a Kleenex. And...sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, I suppose. Little Zoe Fay strutted (and I do mean strutted, I love this little girl's style and confidence!) over to me, pulled open her Disney Princess purse, and handed me some berry-scented hand sanitizer.

"Want some?" she asked with a huge grin on her face.
"Why yes, Zoe Fay. I don't mind if I do," was my reply.

We are besties. This little girl is a dead ringer for Hermione, from the Sorcerer's Stone, and her answer to every question is either "Jesus" or "Food."

I love all of these little ones, and I have this incredible peace that this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be right now. Life is good, and is even better with goldfish at snacktime :)

London Calling

Coming up at the end of this year, Brady will be deployed. No standard nine month-er, his unit is planning for a year plus. Selfless and caring as my husband is, he's been relentless with planning for me during that time. Through pondering, discussions, and prayer, we've both felt that it was right for me to pursue graduate studies during this time.

But where? It would need to be completed within a year, so that I wouldn't have a half degree when he came home and we moved (and no thank you for this online thing again). The UK's standard for graduate studies is one year, right? But those schools are good, there's no way I'd get in.

Or...maybe sometimes we are better than we think we are?

Maybe so (drumroll please)...as of last Tuesday (well, actually last Monday, but Brady had a late-night flight and so I didn't open it until we were together Tuesday evening) I am the newest student to the University of London! This means that afterwards I can officially curate, or teach at a smaller university, or prep for furthur studies to one day teach with the really bright people at universities with captial U's :)

So happy :) Brady and I are soon to be twinsie London grads.



And...I won't lie. I really want to meet Kate :)

Lectures and Lemonade

Brady and I found out some good news last Tuesday (post to follow!), and so we wanted to celebrate it that weekend. Upon becoming a wife, I assumed the roles of not only personal chef and laundress (the former I love, the latter...eh, I do it because I love my husband and don't want him to smell bad in front of the other officers) but event planner extraordinaire as well. Accordingly, I kept both our interests in mind for our Saturday date :)

The weather was perfect, and so after a crisp morning run, both of us slipped on some shorts and flip flops and headed on to Nashville.

Umm...and sorry I look obese in this picture. I really have not gained 30 pounds since my last photo, nor miraculously lost it since this photo was taken. Baggy bermudas and a striped tee apparently do not photograph well :)

We both really like the Frist, a privately-owned gallery in Nashville, and last weekend they were running not one but two really great exhibits. We were already excited enough about a double feature of the ancient American and Rembrandt shows, but then I found out about a lecture for the ancient American exhibit that morning (I love my husband for attending these nerdy dates with me, by the way, and looking for ways to enjoy them). I was in heaven. One of my senior seminars was on the art and culture of ancient Mexico, and so Brady let me give him a guided tour of the Mexico rooms before we headed off  to learn about Peru and Guatemala - together :)


c. kingofages.com

Good art makes us smile. Exceptional art speaks to our souls. Rembrandt was phenomenal, and we both left feeling that our spirits were filled. Am I going to their free student admission Thursday and Friday nights? Yes, please.

We had been inside for a while, and needed to head back to take care of a few things for school and work. Because the weather was so beautiful, however, we took a stroll, basking in the abundance of Vitamin D, before driving back to Clarksville (and keeping the windows down as long as my hair and the loose papers in the back seat could stand it). 

And...because art critiquing expends some serious energy, we stopped off at Chick-fil-a for some spicy chicken and green lemonade.



Could life get any better? With both of our joyful presents and promising futures, I submit that it can :)

Home Alone :)

Brady went to study aviation with a friend this evening after work, and so after six hours of Chinese History, I set aside Gengis Khan:His Life and Legacy and went to our apartment complex's Pinterest Party.

Coasters!

 

A DryErase Menu Board!

Afterwards I passed on the Dominos spread that they were offering and popped these Healthy Beef and Bean Enchiladas in the oven. Not reminiscent of South Phoenix in the slightest, but they just have a good, fresh, "whole food" feeling in my tummy.

These are still waiting on Brady when he gets home soon :)

Sunshine in My Soul

 

 

I have a very special friend named Sunny, and her spirit is every bit as bright as her name implies. Yesterday I felt so privileged to be her escort during her endowment in the Nashville Tennessee temple, and Brady and I were delighted as we watched her and her husband be sealed for time and all eternity.  

 



 

The temple has always been a special place for Brady and me, but that day it captured one of those moments that will be a cherished memory forever. We could almost feel heaven's smiles :) 

 

After a lovely experience, Brady and I let our dear friends celebrate in private while we had a little date at McAlister's Deli. We shared our feelings about the day, planned for the future, and enjoyed some yummy food. Our hearts felt as did Sister Hinckley's when she said, "How grateful I am for the gospel and the assurance that even friendships are eternal."

 

And how grateful I am that I get to spend eternity with my best friend :)

Lucky Number Seven...

I love it when the 21st of the month falls on a Monday, because it means that we'll have wedding cake and Martinelli's for our FHE treat. I think the best part is battling with Brady over who can scoop the most of the remaining fondant balls onto a Noritake plate without seeming selfish. And although we've cut into that top tier seven times so far - and it's beginning to taste more like our freezer each time - he always manages to win out at smuggling sugary snowballs...and at melting my heart :)