Newlywed Game #5

1. What is your spouse’s favorite room in the house? 
Her: bedroom.. that's where the PS3 is :p Him: Probably our bedroom, she's always cold so she likes to cover up in the covers2. What was the first picture of you both? Where were you/when was it? 

Us: It was taken a a couple weeks after our first date, in the parking lot of Tyler's apartment
3. Describe a typical evening at home. 
Her: We usually just hang out and watch a movie or tv.. just hang together :)   Him: Dinner at 5 bed by 8 :P we're pretty boring but I like it that way...There's nobody I'd rather watch Netflix with
4. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you and your spouse in public? 
Her: Well, when my mom and stepdad were thinking about moving to Arizona, we were looking at houses of them. And at one of the ones we went to, with a realtor who had made an appointment,  it was really messy and we were trying to figure out why they didn't try to clean up a little bit, and as we walked upstairs, a guy walked out of the master bedroom in just a towel! I am so glad we didn't walk into the bedroom, and so glad he had at least a towel on hahaha. I don't know who was more embarrassed, him or us.. Probably us. Him: See above...............
5. What do you like best about your spouse’s personality? 
Her: He makes me laugh :)  Him: How strong and independent she is, she knows what she wants and expects to get it
6. When it comes to ________ my spouse would win first prize. 
Her: being an artist :) he's a talented hubby for sure!  Him: making cookies....I love cookies
7. What is your spouse’s best physical feature? 
Her: his arms, definitely :)  strooong husband :) Him: her butt......wait, am I allowed to say that?
8. What is your spouse’s most indispensable possession and why? 
Her: his wedding ring :) he loves it!  Him: her laptop, only because that is where all of our pictures are
9. Do you think your spouse will be a good Mom/Dad (why or why not) or if you already have children, what makes your spouse a great Mom/Dad? 
Her: Oh yes, he will be the best. He loves kids :)  Him: Absolutely, she has her doubts about herself but I see her motherly instincts everyday...usually keeping me from cutting my hand off or something 
10. What is something that your spouse is optimistic AND pessimistic about?
Her: His current job! He's pessimistic about the actual job, but optimistic of where it could lead :)  Him: Ocean conservation, she's optimistic about one day everyone will know how much damage we are causing but sometimes pessimistic because there is such a long way to go still.

Newlywed Game #4!

1. What is your spouse's favorite animal? 
Probably dogs.. Either whales or dolphins :)
2. What does your spouse do..what's their occupation?  Explain as much as you possibly can. 
Right now he's doing data entry. We work at a huge insurance company, and he's in a stepping stone to further his career right now :) She works at the same insurance company that I do.  She works in the imaging dept which basically is digitizing policy documents and routing them through the company.
3. What is your spouse's favorite pro sports team? 
The Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens :)Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens!
4. If your spouse could retire anywhere, where would they choose? 
I think after our weekend in Dana Point last weekend, that would be our dream :p The question said anywhere.. not realistically ;) Either Belize, or Dana Point...she would love to go whale watching every day of her life.
5. What is something on your spouse's bucket list? 
At the top would probably be visiting the UK. :) We actually just crossed off a few things off our bucket list last weekend! Visit Europe again, this time with me :)
6. What is your spouse's favorite candy or sweet? 
Cookies! He says he loves me more.. but I'm not so sure ;) At the moment? Wonka Sweetarts for easter :P
7. What is something your spouse would love to have in their dream home? Like a specific room they want, etc. 
A man cave! :P And probably a theater room :) I think we both do! Theatre room hands down...I'd probably spend the most time in there though haha
8. If your spouse could only watch one movie over and over for a week, which one would it be? 
Back to the Future. She doesn't really watch a whole lot of movies, but she has all of the Gilmore Girls DVDs so that is close enough right?
9. Who chose the wedding colors? Your or your spouse? What were they? 
I did! They were purple, silver, and blue. Mostly purple and silver though :PShe did :P
10. If your spouse could teach a monkey one trick, what would they have it do?
Probably have it do dishes.. lol! Back tickles...(and I would totally have it give Hi-5s for dollar bills :P )

Newlywed Game #3!

1.  Who does the laundry in your home, you or your spouse? Any good stories?

Me: I usually do the laundry and he puts it away! Him: She usually does

2.  If your spouse had to eat at one restaurant for the rest of their lives, what would he or she pick?

Me: Oh gosh... Ling and Louie's maybe... he's had something different every time we've been there and hasn't found anything he hasn't liked yet :p Him: Probably Peter Piper Pizza...it's not my favorite pizza in the world but she adores it. 

3.  Are you or your spouse better at cooking? Any good stories?

Me: He is! We usually bake together, and he usually cooks! Have I mentioned he's the best? ;)Him: I'm the chef!

4.  Which one of you is more concerned about their "fashion"?

Me: Probably me.. but we both will usually choose comfort over "fashion" hahaHim: My fashion ends at hats...so her probably :P

5.  Ideally, if you don't have them already, when does your spouse want to have children?

Me: Oh, he'd totally have them right now if we were totally good financially! He wants to be a daddy, and honestly, I don't blame him, he's going to be great! Him: She wants to wait about 7 years until we are more than financially stable, which I can agree with.

6.  Who planned dates when you were dating? And what was one of your favorites?

Me: Him probably.. but we mostly just said hey let's do this.. or hey let's do that. We're homebodies though, and I guess we always were really. My favorite "date" was the picnic he took me on when we got engaged :)Him: I don't know if anything was planned besides our first date and when I propose.  We kind of like to live in the moment. 

7.  What's been the toughest part of being a newlywed?

Me: I can't be completely honest about this question because.. well, I can't pick and choose who reads my blog if you know what I mean. But, I'd say probably finances. This probably has more to do with us getting married young, and we've put ourselves in a position where we're better off than a lot of people are in these economic times, but it's still hard to feel completely stable right now. This year we're hoping to get some more money into savings :)Him: ^^^^^^^^ :D

8.  Who is the best with the finances?

Me: Definitely me! I am in charge of budgeting and paying the bills. Him: I'm terrible with money....

9.  Who is the strict one?

Me: Probably me. Him: Her! Booooo rules! 

10.  What will you plan to do for your first anniversary? Or if you've already celebrated your first anniversary, what did you do?

Me: We kept it simple, just spent the day together and went out to a nice dinner :) You can read the recap here, and see what gifts we exchanged :) 
Him: Exchanged some small gifts and went to a nice dinner. It was perfect for us.

A cause we both feel super strongly about is saving whales. Sea Shepherd is the only organization who is directly doing something about it, and Captain Paul Watson needs our help.

Please, take a moment to read and sign this petition.

The Newlywed Game #2!

1. How long were you dating your spouse before getting engaged? 

Me: 9 months! And we lived together after just 6 months! But it all worked out :)Him:  9 months 

2. Do you remember your first big fight, if so, what was it about? 

Me: Not particularly.. but if you follow me on twitter, you can probably guess hahaHim:  No I can't, we had some pretty big problems when we were dating.  But obviously it all worked out. 

3. Who said "I love you" first? 

Me: He did! Him:  I actually said the words first, she sent me a text saying "I :heart: U" which I mistook for her saying it first.  I said "I love you too" back to her...a few months later I realized that's not what she meant at the time. :P I still meant it though. 

4. What is your spouse most afraid of? 

Me: Clowns, definitely clowns! Him:   Probably spiders :P I have to save her all the time.

5. Who uses more hair-care products? 

Me: He does! Only because I don't use any at all.. he only uses a little bit of gel when his hair gets way too long :p Him:  Uhhh...maybe me...she doesn't use anything.

6. Who initiated the first kiss? How was it on a scale from 1-10? 

Me: Oh, he totally did! On the first date too.. little brat haha! It was a 20! Best last first kiss ever :) Him:  I did...I had been waiting a long time to be in the moment.  It was off the charts ;)  

7. You are on your way out, and need to turn around because someone forgot something... was it you or your spouse who most likely forgot something? 

Me: If it's the weekend, probably me! But during the week , definitely him! ;)Him:  Definitely her all of the time. :P 

8. Who takes longer in front of the mirror? You or your spouse? 

Me: Most days, it's probably about the same! But if I straighten or curl my hair, definitely me.Him:  She does.  Most of it is spent dancing and looking at herself though :P 

9. What would your spouse name your children if you had one girl and one boy? 

Me: Leia and Luke (By the way, that would never happen lol!)Him: Lorelai (I'd call her Rory, Gilmore Girls anybody?!) and Dom (short for Dominic) 

10. If you were able to give away one thing that your spouse owned, what would you choose?

Me: One of his pieces of art is Heath Ledger as the Joker and Batman and it's an amazing, but it creeps me out so much! I would never let him hang it in our room :PHim:  Her bed :P It's the one that's shes had since she was a teenager, I want to upgrade to a king. ;) 

The Newlywed Game!

Our wedding! October 22, 2011

The day after we got married! 

one:  What was it about your spouse that made you think they were "the one"?Me: Honestly, when I would look at him doing something across the room, and just smile. And you just feel it, can't really explain it.. but I knew.Him:  She put up with things that no normal girl should have put up with at that age. Especially to be with a nerd like me!two:  What is your spouse's most annoying habit?Me: He snores!! I love him so much, but it is horrible :p Especially when I wake up the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep..!Him:  Her most annoying habit is that she doesn't have an annoying habit. Awwww.three:  Does your spouse have to sleep on "their side of the bed", if so, which side?(if you're laying in bed looking up at the ceiling)Me: No.. I get my way on that, so he just sleeps on the other side of where I sleep... Such a sweet Husband :)Him:  For some reason she always seems to want to sleep on the closest side to the door.  I don't get it.four:  How are you planning to spend Valentine's Day?Me: Like any other day... I've never been big into Valentine's Day! Him:  She doesn't like Valentine's Day...so probably nothing. (I picked a winner ;) )  five:  Who usually ends up trying to resolve an argument (aka..being the "bigger person")?Me: He usually likes to be the one to talk it out... I'd rather have my space until I'm ready to talk :p We don't really get into that many big arguments though... mostly just bicker about stuff! Him:  Nobody is really the "bigger person" I usually just bug her until she is forced to yell at me...anything is better than the silent treatment!six:  How many kids do you plan to have one day, if any?Me: I'd love two! He'd like to be closer to 4 :p We're adopting, and we'd love to find a sibling group, so if we find a group of 4 that we fall in love with, then it was meant to be.. right? :)Him:  2-4seven:  What is your spouse's best friend's name & do you get along with them?Me: Zach, and I do get along with him :) I think everyone would though, he's a sweetheart! Him:  Jon, I have yet to officially meet him because he is studying in Iowa.  But from what The Wife says about him, there is no way I couldn't get along with him.eight:  If your spouse one day told you that they are an ex-convict, how would you react?Me: Definitely depends on what it was.. but I think it would be more of an issue about lying, than being a convict.. does that make sense? Him:  Depends on the crime, murder I'd probably freak out.  Bank robber I wouldn't be surprised, her dad would probably be her partner. HAHAHAHAH! nine:  Do you wish your spouse would stop doing a particular routine?Me: Getting up in the morning and blowing his nose.. I mean it's cute, in a really annoying way :p Him:  Not really, she doesn't exactly have specific routines.  She lives in the moment most of the time and always keeps me guessing. :)ten:  Did the honeymoon go exactly as planned?

Me: Well, other than the fact we waited about 6 months before we went on what we considered our honeymoon.. We also had to detour to Utah, but we still had a great time just being together... and yeah, we both got sun-burnt... idiots :p At least we learned our lesson, even if we had to learn it the hard way! ;) Him:  For the most part, cannot say that I planned on getting incredibly sun burnt when I fell asleep on the beach.

Oh How Far We've Come..

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw this picture a couple weeks.. On the left is my wedding ring, and on the right is my engagement ring. In a way, it's a perfect metaphor for how far we've come together.  As we enter our 4th year together, it's crazy to think of where we were. For those of you who don't know, we are high school sweethearts. And the first time we hung out, was a school pep rally, and after when my mom asked me if I liked him, I told her "no", and we weren't ever going to be more than friends. Umm obviously, I was very wrong :p 

I think it's important to not live in the past, but I also think it's important to remember it. And our past together wasn't easy. We had a lot to make it through, including the Husband moving out and in with my Dad and me, right after we graduated high school. Not everybody thought it was a good idea, and his family believed we couldn't make it and he'd be back. But we did. We even got engaged a few months later. In February 2010, he went from having a job at Ace Hardware to entering his career path at a big insurance company. He started in the mail room, and then was promoted in the mail room. He was on a salary, with days off, and health benefits. At the age of 18. At the age of 19, we got married, on our two year anniversary. Which brings us here.. to 2012. 

March 2012

I started this wonderful blog :) 

April 2012

We bought our first car! :) 

The Husband got promoted! 

May 2012

We finally went on our  honeymoon! 

June 2012

Finally ordered our wedding album.

July 2012

We carved our initials into a tree.

I graduated college with my  Associates Degree! 

August 2012

We leased a new place!

First sleepover in our new place. 

October 2012

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary with questions and gifts.

I started my new job! 

November 2012

I showed off my cubicle :)

We celebrated Thanksgiving.

December 2012

Our first car issues...

Celebrated Christmas! :) 

2012 has been a REALLY great year for us, and I cannot wait to see what 2013 will bring :) 

Friday Letters, InstaRecap, and a DIY

Dear Husband, your Anniversary presents were so wonderful and so sweet. I loved every single one :)  Dear Paper, thanks for being such a fun traditional gift for first wedding anniversaries ;) Dear anniversary post, we had a lot of fun writing you and answering questions. Dear Monday, I am kind of dreading you. Dear new job, I am excited to start you on Monday, but I'm also freaking out because I am so overwhelmed. I know we'll get along in the long run, but I hope we get along the first few days... I am counting on you as much as you are counting on me. Dear blog, I might be a little MIA for a couple weeks just until I get settled, but I promise to try my best to be wrong about this letter :P Dear readers, I really do love you all, and your comments seriously make my day. Thank you. Dear glitter that I used on this project, you are a PAIN, but it was worth it. Dear Husband, I love you, thanks for making life so amazing.

InstaRecap: Anniversary Edition

My gift for The Husband was a travel map of the world :) 

(bucket list item #47)

He also pre-ordered a Special Edition version of a video game 

he wants, that comes out next week :) 

Gifts from The Husband :)

Inside of the paper airplane, is that not the cutest? :)

We ended up getting the actual CD from Target because I wanted their edition.

Here's more on the map:

I used a frame with the glass taken out, attached cork backing and a map :) I couldn't find the color of push pins that I wanted, so I spray painted some clear ones I already had.

1. I used an old box to push the pins through. Be careful ;) I didn't know how many we'd need so I just filled up one face of the box :P

2. I spray painted them, I only used one coat, but it just depends on how you want your color to look :)

3. I put them in a little plastic box I already had to we'd have extras somewhere safe :) 

I stole this photo from The Husband's instagram ;) 

Happy Friday! :) 

One Year Later

Well, today marks our first year wedding anniversary! We made it! ;)  I thought it would be fun to answer some questions. Some will share our story, some will let you know more about us individually, and some will let us know more about each other :) My answers will be written in purple, his answers will be written in blue, if we answered together or had the same answer, it will be written in green. I'm hoping the colors make it easier, and not more complicated :P 

1. Where was your first kiss?

In his car :) 

2. When did you first know you were in love? 

I don't remember exactly where we were or what we were doing, but I do remember just looking at him across the room and thinking, "I am so lucky he is mine", and in that moment I just knew. 

I realized that I was in love with Tyler when I started missing her the second I left her.  It was also when I opened myself up to her and she accepted me for who I am as a person.

3. How did your family react when they found out you were getting married?

Both sides thought we were too young, but we made our decision and we were fortunate enough to have most people support us, even if they didn't agree :) 

4. Who is better at managing your finances?

I am :P I'm a better organizer, so it works.

Let's just say I'd have nothing without her. ;)

5. Who controls the remote? 

I do ;) For the most part though, we enjoy most of the same shows, so it usually doesn't cause too many problems! 

I do...it's her shows though.

6. Who's the better driver?

Me!
She is...I get anxiety in certain situations

7. Who's the faster driver?

Definitely him. // Me! Woohoo!

8. Who is most likely to eat dessert for breakfast?

Probably me! I firmly believe a slice of cake or cupcake is perfectly acceptable for breakfast ;)

Probably her, I have had my fair share of cake and ice cream for breakfast though.

9. Who will be doing most of the yard work?

Totally him. I am not great with power tools, or bugs :P

Definitely me.  Hammers scare her, so lawn mowers and other yard tools wouldn't go over well.

10. Who is usually the first to fall asleep at night?

He is. It takes me awhile to fall asleep! 

Me most nights, I can get in the perfect position next to her that has the same effect as a sleeper hold.

11. Who steals the covers more?

Me, I won't even try to deny it haha. 

Her! Total cover hog...

12. Who's most likely to use up all the hot water?

He is. I shower really quickly. 

Me, I do my best thinking in the shower!

13. Who's most likely to get lost?

Him for sure. 
I got lost at the mall shopping for her Christmas present last year...so me.

14. Who's most likely to ask for directions?

I am... I'd rather ask for directions then wasting time searching myself! 

Her, who needs directions with a smartphone?!

15. What is the first thing your spouse would buy if you won the lottery?

His dream car! // A ship for Sea Shepherd. 

16. Where would your spouse want to go on a dream vacation? 

To a few countries in Europe. 

She honestly has so many...Bahamas, Belize, Italy.  She would be perfectly content spending the rest of her life traveling if I let her. :P

17. What charity is your spouse most likely to raise money for? 

Sea Shepherd. It's an organization we both hold very close to our hearts.
If I won the lottery I'd give as much as The Husband would allow, to Sea Shepherd. They do some amazing things in saving our planet, and I'd love to help and support Captain Paul Watson as much as I could. And The Husband is right, I'd buy them another ship, but they would have to name the ship what I wanted ;) 

18. How many kids do you want?

Ideally, 2! // 4, no exceptions. ;)

19. If your house was on fire and you had a chance to grab only 5 things, what would they be?

Other than making sure everyone got out safely, probably my phone, camera, our plastic tub of scrapbooks, a baggie that holds all of our important USBs in it (photos and music files mostly). And my wedding ring.. I don't sleep with it on, is that weird? I just don't want to scratch my face :P 

My wife, my wedding ring and whatever she needs help with.  I'm not very materialistic when it comes down to my home burning down.

20. What is your dream job and why? 

Being a mom. Throwing birthday parties for our kids, and taking them to sports practice just sounds like so much fun. I can't wait. 

Being a world famous artist.  That would be sweeeeeeet, but totally unrealistic.

21. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a dolphin, because dolphins are intelligent and beautiful in every single way. 

A panda bear...pandas are cool.

22. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? 

Anywhere? I'd love to live in a nice house on the beach in Belize ;)

See answer above^^ :D

23. If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Hands down, Paul Watson. He is my inspiration and hero. And I would honestly just love to hear his stories and thank him for everything he's done to help save whales and dolphins. 

Johnny Cash, the man went through a whole lot in his life, but it still would be nice to just hang out with him and listen to his stories. 

24. Describe your perfect house.

Oh my gosh there are WAY too many things to describe. I think I am going to be really picky.. and we might have to build or totally remodel :P I want an amazing basement though, and kitchen :) With my kids and their friends running around. 

The american dream home.  Shutters and paneling on the outside, white picket fence, the works.  Either that or a plantation home.

25. Do you believe in soul mates?

No.. I believe that people have other people they are supposed to be with, but as far as one person for every one person? I don't think so.. 

Maybe not necessarily "soul mates" but definitely someone that was predetermined for you to be with.  I guess that is basically a soul mate though....soooo Yes?

26. Do you believe in love at first sight?

No, I don't. I think you can have a connection at first sight. But love? No. 

No, you can't fall in love with someone without knowing who they are.  

27. What is your favorite holiday? 

Christmas :) 

CHRISTMAS!

I Believe In...

I believe in sunshine.  

I believe in purple.   

I believe in the power of joy hidden in dandelions. 

         

I believe in marriage. 

I believe in equality.

I believe in everything happening for a reason.

I believe in sweat pants and running shorts.

I believe in LOVE.

I believe in protecting our oceans.

I believe in saving our dolphins, whales, and sharks.

I believe in Sea Shepherd.

I believe in Captain Paul Watson. 

{source}

I believe in hugs.

I believe in my future children.

I believe in doing the right thing.

I believe in bringing yourself up, without tearing others down. 

I believe in trying to stay positive.

Most of all, 

I believe in our future.

And finding joy in our journey.

I love you, Husband. 

Together, the world is ours.

Sometimes It's the Little Things.

Yesterday, my Dad, The Husband and I headed North of Phoenix to Flagstaff. 

It was so nice to be at a higher elevation without triple digit temperatures.

We had a lot of fun just hanging out, and I took a lot of pictures.

I won't bore you with all of them, but I thought I'd share a couple!

Dad needed a little bit of a nap, so we decided to stop at the beginning of this trail and explore a little.

I think I'm pretty funny: 

The Husband only has a few things on his bucket list, so when we got the opportunity to cross off one of his items, we had to jump on it!

With that, he did one of the cheesiest things life has to offer: 

Yep, we went there. 

And I have to say, I'm glad we did it. 

We plan on going back every year to see our tree ;) 

Husband, you're a total cheese ball, but I love it :)

Have you ever carved your initials into a tree?

I think everyone should at least once, because sometimes, we all need to be a little cheesy! 

Bucket List: Have the Perfect Wedding

 Have the perfect wedding

Obviously this was crossed off while ago, but I thought I'd share some wedding pictures.

We got married in Las Vegas on October 22, 2011. We chose Las Vegas because we didn't have a big budget. Also, most of my family lives in Utah, so it was a good half way point for everybody!

It was a small ceremony, just about 40 people. And instead of a reception after, we just went to a restaurant for lunch. It was perfect for us and we wouldn't change a thing!

On October 20 we packed up and left for Vegas.

The days before we got married were spent relaxing by the pool and playing board games.

Yeah, we're probably a little boring in most people's eyes..

but we have fun. So that's all that matters :)

October 22, 2011.... The first day of the rest of our lives

Gina helping the Husband get ready

My little sister's friend Emmy, my Dad, little sister

My dad attempting to tie my bow... he did a good job :) 

Here are some of my favorites from the ceremony:

My little sister was my maid of honor, my Dad was the Husband's best man!

I am forever thankful for the bond they have.

We wrote and read our own vows.. I went first because... I hate talking in front of people

We are married... :)