ali spittler

new blog

2010-01-02T13:46:00.002-07:00

With the new year, it's time for a new blog. So come see us at aliandbrianspittler.blogspot.com
xoxo
A&B

happy night

2009-12-24T01:38:00.003-07:00

Last New Year's Eve we got engaged. It was perfect. We drove past the capital tonight, so we stopped and took a jaunt up to the exact spot it all happened. I loved it. I remember exactly where I was and what I was thinking. I was actually thinking, "Oh, he's so cute. He's telling me all these wonderful reasons he loves me, he's so great, OH MY HECK! HE'S GETTING DOWN ON ONE KNEE! I'M GETTING ENGAGED!" I honestly had no idea that he was going to propose, even right up to the very second he was doing it. I'm an easy girl to surprise, which is a convenient thing, because I love surprises.

I'm the luckiest girl.

As we drove away from the capital, we remembered all the events that led up to getting engaged. Moments here and moments there. Heavenly Father really does put us in the right places at the right time, and He is fabulous at micromanaging. I will be forever grateful that He put Brian in my life. Oh, man.

Tonight was perfect with celebrating Grandad's birthday with the cousins, sitting by the fire, chatting and laughing. And then making out at the capital. Life is so happy.

so this is christmas

2009-12-15T08:56:00.008-07:00

Man, Christmas time is a sentimental time, isn't it? I cried the other night last week because we didn't have any Christmas-y things in our house, and I was all worried about our own Christmas traditions, and I was sad that I still hadn't seen 1194 all spruced for the holidays.

It was quite an emotional whirlwind.

You see, we're moving this Friday, and so we decided to not buy a tree or hang lights. I thought I'd be okay, but it was a little harder than anticipated.

But, my dear husband came home with a wreath the other night that he purchased for a steal-of-a-deal, and I was elated. Now it feels (and smells!) like Christmas at our house, and that's what I wanted.

A Spittler family tradition is to go the Christmas Store in Park City and buy an ornament every year. So we bought our very own married ornament on Saturday with them, and I just really loved being married while we were choosing. It's a train and really perfect. I'm so grateful for the Spittlers and for Brian. We also found our stockings, which I was worried we wouldn't, and then what would Santa do? Christmas at our Provo house slowly came together, and we're happy.

Brian hung lights around our window and hung our stockings on either side, and it actually looks darling.

I love my husband. So much.

you can do hard things, he said

2009-11-23T18:21:00.007-07:00

In this picture, I'm sitting on a HUGE tire swing that was crazy fun and gave my stomach a whirl of a trip. But it also made me laugh hysterically --- the laugh that just keeps giving, and soon is out of control. I'll admit that I was nervous at first, and even more nervous as the tire spun in circles at times. But I did it and loved it.

Sometimes, we just have to do hard things. They're there, but it's so easy to choose not to. But Brian pushes me to do hard things. He knows that I can do them and he completely believes in me. Sometimes I need a little push to do those hard things.

One of those is an internship in D.C. I originally was just going to work out there while he was the intern. But then he had this crazy idea that I should do one too. I love him for that. I really love him for it. I am now going to be an intern for the Department of Education in the Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs. It is the liaison between the Department of Education and Congress. So, I will be attending briefings and hearings (like on C-SPAN!) and taking notes. I'll be sitting in on meetings and running all over the city attending lectures (which will help with my direction skills. . .or lack thereof). It will be completely out of my comfort zone, but something hard that is so good for me. I'm so excited because it feels so right.

And now D.C. feels more real. Wahoo! What a crazy, fun life we'll lead for the next four months. We leave December 29th. It's gonna be something we'll never forget.

lessons on home

2009-11-18T20:52:00.003-07:00

When we first looked at the house we currently live in, I was in love with it. I didn't mind the dirt and grime and broken window in the kitchen. It was somehow all enchanting. I was overwhelmingly excited about the checkered kitchen floor, and I knew that once our belongings were inside, it'd be darling. Most of all, though, I was excited to have our own, and very first, little place as a married couple. I couldn't wait to make it our own.

Before we moved in, we cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. It sparkled when we finished, and the ammonia smell from the previous renters slowly faded. Once everything was in, it felt like home.

It's always felt like home. But I will admit that I wanted the front yard to be prettier, I've wished for a disposal many a time, and wanted drapes so badly. Our front yard is currently a space for weeds to grow. There are many. And we hang towels for drapes. But we've made it work. And really, I don't mind. Brian actually hung a sheet in our front window, and it's fooled everybody; they all think it's real because it dips and hangs like a tailored drapery would. He's a genius.

But, our house has become an easy thing to joke about. It's easy because we're just renting. It's easy because we're only here for a semester. And all houses/apartments in Provo are pretty bad. However, I love this little house on 8th east. We've made it home, and we've made some of the most fantastic memories here.

I'm really gonna miss it.

remember vision

2009-11-18T12:08:00.003-07:00

I miss writing. I miss being creative. And yet, I'm so creative at school because I have some sort of project due in every class. But I think they've all drained me.

I start to get the yawns by 10pm.
I wake up feeling like I just fell asleep.
I just go, go, go all day long
I'm on campus 'til 8 every night it seems.

The point is: I love school and I love my major, but I'm not feeling the Balance. Where did it go? How do I find it again? It's hard.

Remember vision. That's what I keep telling myself.

________________________________

I'm interviewing still for internships in DC. They're looking promising, but I'm still holding my breath. I think that once I have my very own internship to call my own, DC will feel more real. It's coming so quick, but it hasn't quite hit me yet.

I love my husband. He makes me laugh so hard. And he's such a good support. Heaven bless him.

halloween

2009-11-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was Taylor Swift. He was Kanye West. I went younger. He went black. I held an award. He tried to steal it.

It was pretty awesome.

2009-10-24T17:53:00.004-06:00

I'm so excited for D.C.

I found this place called Lover's Lane in D.C. that sounds exciting. Maybe in the spring we'll take a picnic and stroll down lover's lane.

my mini me

2009-10-24T17:27:00.005-06:00

This is my sister Sophie. We call her Fifi.

I found this picture while flipping through some pictures from home. It's classic Sophie. She has such energy and personality --- so much in fact, that we ask her to put on The Sophie Show occasionally. If she's really hyper, she'll do it.

Fifi is saaasssy, too. She's not afraid to boss around my dad and tease him relentlessly. And man can she stand her ground.

I just wanted to do a little shout-out to her, because this picture is amazing. As is she.

happy birthday, Jacq!

2009-10-13T14:26:00.000-06:00

Jacque at Conference in Paris, France.

fall

2009-10-13T14:05:00.008-06:00

*I wrote this post while in the strangest mood. So, keep that in mind.

Lauren&Mike&Baby Jack, Kathy&Christopher&Baby Girl-to-be, and Brian&me saw fall up close while on Sundance's lift last weekend. It was beautiful (and romantic --- I love being married, oh my) and a perfect fall activity. It was a bit chilly, so I wore Jack's fuzzy blue outfit on top of my head to cover my cold ears. I'm sorry to Jack who was probably cold.

My favorite part: how much laughing Brian and I did. We laugh a lot.

And our family is the best. It's the best to have family as best friends.

This fall has been perfect. The colors are changing and the sweaters and boots are out, but the temperature isn't forcing us indoors. "It's simply the best! Better than all the rest." Don't ask me why that song zipped through my head and why I felt that it was ok to write it.

_________________

In other Spittler news, I am going to be working as an intern in D.C., too! I am applying to ten places and will know who has chosen me by the beginning of December. Hooray!

I am loving school. I am writing and illustrating a children's book. I have to read 48 children's books of my choice. My art class is my very favorite.

We Spittlers are happy as clams.

coming soon in january 2010

2009-09-26T14:05:00.008-06:00

Once upon a time (in January of 2009), Brian and I went to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. We took a picture in front of the Capital Building and he said to me, "Someday I'll take you in there on an all-exclusive tour." Well, come January, he will! We are moving to D.C. from January to April so that he can intern for Senator Harry Reid.

Now, hold on.

Wherever your views on Senator Reid lie, just lie them over there for now, because my adorable husband deserves some high praise. Brian secured this internship all by himself through some serious net-working and intense persistence. He's been working on getting this internship since summer 2008, so it's been a long time coming. He will have fantastic experiences that will change him forever. (It sounds dramatic and a tad bit cheesy, but it's true.) I'm so super proud of him.

We decided to apply for housing through BYU's Washington Seminar. Students apply to Washington Seminar so that BYU can find an internship for them. But since Brian already secured his own, we are just going to use their housing at the darling Barlow Center. It's across from Trader Joe's, a few subway stations from the White House, and will be the perfect place for four months. We are so excited, we can hardly stand it.

We spend way too much time looking up DC restaurants and adventures. We already know, too, that we'll be spending plenty of time in NYC with Sami and Connecticut with JT and Liz. We both have this sneaky feeling that we're not gonna want to come home.

And to you, my adorable husband, thanks for taking us to D.C. I love you.

a love letter

2009-09-24T10:18:00.003-06:00

Dear husband,

First off: I love that you're my husband and that I get to call you as such.
Next: I love that we walk to school together and that you hold my hand.
Next after that: I love that we love SYTYCD and Project Runway. Thanks for making me love Top Chef, too.
Next Next: I love that you cook for me. I love talking to you in the kitchen.
Finally: I love you for always.

me.

Aside: some people say that the newlywed phase wears off (all that mushy, gushyness). But I say, no way. Mushy, gushy, laughy, giggly is the best sort of love happiness.

1 cup of ice cream

2009-09-17T11:11:00.003-06:00

I was getting sleepy last night, but Brian wanted to watch The West Wing, so I decided that I just had to have some ice cream to stay awake.

So I had my favorite kind in THE cutest measuring cups on the planet.

My cousin Lizzie gave them to us for our wedding, and I've decided that they're good for ice cream, too.

the house with the checkered kitchen floor

2009-09-04T15:20:00.003-06:00

The flusher on our toilet doesn't quite work --- we have to open the lid and pull up the stopper by hand. So naturally I always feel dainty and lady-like when I do this. But other than that, our little house is darling. It's definitely got its quirks, but it's happy to come home to.

On one of the first mornings in the house, we made waffles on our plates from Spain and poured milk from a pitcher just because it's cute. We sit at a little round table that my parents had in their first house. (we like sentimental things.) I remember thinking that my cousins who were receiving hand-me-downs for their marriages were so grown up, so it's funny to be at that point in life.

We laugh a lot. A whole lot. And we're obsessed with The West Wing and oreos and milk. We love making our house Us (we wish the lawn wasn't dead and growing weeds) and making it feel like home. The best thing, though, is coming home together. I highly recommend marriage.

one day more

2009-08-22T17:39:00.003-06:00

I played "One Day More" from Les Mis for Brian this morning as we woke up, because today is Brian's last day of working this summer! Bright (dark, actually) and early tomorrow we drive home back to Salt Lake. It's been a grueling but fantastic summer in Colorado, and we're ready to head home. We've loved our little apartment with the periwinkle couch and red front door; nights and Sundays with the Schreiners and Becks can't be beat; afternoon adventures with the girls have been wonderful. But cheers to the summer and hello to home and all the goodness it holds!

PS: we're moving to Washington, D.C. in January for the semester!

happy yellow

2009-08-18T15:55:00.002-06:00

I picked some little sun flowers from the not-so-charming-but-I-wish-it-was-charming woods/brook area behind our apartment. They liven up my kitchen, which is just what is needed on a rainy day like today.

sunday afternoon

2009-08-16T15:33:00.012-06:00

today we made a roast and are watching the pga championship

(and playing with the camera bag app on the iphone,

which is amazing)

happy sunday!

remembering

2009-08-10T12:27:00.003-06:00

I can vividly remember sitting in my cousin Lizzie's room listening to Martina McBride's Valentine over and over and over. We both said that we wanted it played at our wedding reception. It was the first CD I ever bought, and I couldn't get enough of it. I would turn it up loud enough on my stereo so that it would drown out my voice and I could sing along as loud as I wanted. I really thought my voice matched hers.

Lauren told me the other day that Brian wanted Sting's Fields of Gold played at his wedding reception. They were young when he told Lauren that, and as the years went on, he forgot. I forgot, too, about Martina McBride.

We had all the songs that we wanted for the dancing at our reception. Those songs hold all the emotion of that day, and instantly make me smile. Last night Brian held me tight and hummed them in my ear as we fell asleep. It's crazy, really, to think that those two little kids who were making future wedding plans actually got married. It's still amazing that I married the perfect person for me after years of dreaming about him, wondering where he was and day dreaming about what he was doing.

I wish we had remembered those songs for our reception for memory's sake. But it's ok. I just love that insight into Brian's younger self, nonetheless. And now that younger self is all grown up and he now sings me to sleep and makes me laugh every day and is my very best friend.

marriage

2009-08-04T14:47:00.006-06:00

It's funny how certain foods can instantly remind us of home --- "comfort food" as they say. Roast and potatoes is a Sunday love at my parent's house and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese reminds me of summer days in Dallas with Grammie Doll and Texas cousins.

Last night Brian made tapioca pudding, something I've grown to love because it reminds me of my mother-in-law Karen. I was craving it so bad last night after talking about our families, so we ran to the store with only that in mind.

Brian stirred and mixed while we talked about our finances --- budgets and banks and ideas to crunch those numbers better. I actually really loved that conversation because we were being proactive about our future, and that's comforting. Working through things with Brian is one of my favorites about our relationship, because any issue at hand somehow turns right with him. I'm the luckiest wife.

Growing into Us as a married couple is something spectacular to live through. We've learned so many great lessons this summer. Each new lesson and layer we add is somewhat like acquiring a new taste. Sometimes it comes slowly, but often times becomes well-loved in the end.

i love him.

2009-07-30T20:07:00.004-06:00

I couldn't resist taking a picture of us at our first grocery shopping outing since we've been married. I didn't even realize it 'til Brian said something, and then I made us pause and take a picture. Everything is so much happier with him.

We buy two peanut butters: crunchy for me, creamy for him. We buy two toothpastes, too, because he's anal about how to squeeze the tube; I'm not. He likes pulp in orange juice; I despise it. But we both find it endearing and that's the best part.

Marriage is magical.

something you don't know about me

2009-07-27T11:27:00.004-06:00

I was once a bowling champion.

Thanks to sister-in-law, Lauren, who kindly gave up the title to soothe my aching heart of not winning, I took home this golden trophy and kissed it in sweet victory.

Forever will I remember that night.

Much thanks be to Lauren.

tonight

2009-07-24T22:01:00.003-06:00

Tonight I took a walk over to "Serenity Park" : the neighborhood just next door. There are grass lawns and children running around and it makes me feel sane. I love walks. There's this giant crater-sized hole that's covered in freshly-mowed grass in this neighborhood, where sits a nice bench for me to sit on. I sat and sat, just watching the sunset.

I love this city I'm living in because the sky feels so near. Maybe it's because we're at a higher altitude or that we live next to the Air Force Academy so there aren't street lights for miles, but sometimes I really believe that I could just brush my finger tips along the sky if I stretched extra long. It's beautiful here. Especially at night.

I like finding beautiful moments amidst the whirlwinds of life. I have to, or life just seems too heavy.

Life is good.

m.i.a.

2009-07-20T21:20:00.006-06:00

I'll spare you from seeing a picture, but I had shingles this past week. On my upper eye lid. Weird. I told my mom not to tell anyone, but I'm just gonna own up to it since it's kinda crazy.

Shingles, what? At my age? (No offense to those who are older and have shingles.)

I was shocked, to say the least, when the ER doc gave us the news. But, ok. It's in the same family as chicken pox and cold sores, so if you haven't had chicken pox, stay away.

Anyways (I'm probably grossing y'all out. I mean, aren't you imagining scales of skin right now?), I'm so into reading Harry Potter right now, it's so fun. I haven't read them since the 7th book came out, but man, my heart still beats as the plot thickens.

And I love the pool.

And I love Brian most of all.

That's where I've been the past week.

homemade rolls

2009-07-17T20:35:00.003-06:00

I've grown up on my mom's Sunday dinner rolls. My mom grew up on them, too: it's a Grammie Doll recipe.

For a Spittler cousin shower before I was married, my mom tied the recipe all cute to a wooden rolling pin as her gift to me. There's something special in a gift from the heart.

Tonight I tried my hand at following the recipe. I think they'll be a hit.

Thanks, Mom, for sending love from your kitchen to mine.

xoxoxo

independence day 2009

2009-07-11T20:59:00.011-06:00

Amy and Jon came into town for the 4th, and we had plenty of fun adventures. We spent the day of the 4th in Denver shopping our favorite boutique street and 16th street, too. Sadly, Brian and Mike worked oh-so hard. We took turns holding adorable Jack in the back pack, which was too fun.

That night, the guys met up with us for the Rockies baseball game, which was a blast, and I actually got really into it (baseball is easy, let's be honest). They didn't win despite my cheers and yells. But the firework display was seriously unreal. Bri and I laughed it was so dang good. I loved being at a favorite American past-time on America Day.

And, I still revel in having an additional four siblings, all of whom I LOVE (+ three more at home in Bountiful!).

us. amy&jon. mike&lauren&babyjack.

outside the field just before heading in.

gorgeous, right?

us.

he just makes me smile from ear to ear because i love him so much.

oh, man.

washington park.

*pictures courtesy of Lauren

garden park

2009-07-08T17:42:00.005-06:00

My last post was about my family, and here I am again posting about them. I just love them so much. And I'm pretty positive a big part of me really misses them.

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when I was home for Sam's farewell. We took a walk to the church (our ward building is just walking distance from our house), which we frequently did when I was growing up. I love night walks around Garden Park. I love walks in general. It all stems from family walks ever since I can remember.

sharing a bit of our town

2009-07-02T12:14:00.013-06:00

{washington park paddle boat ride}

mom.sophie.madi.me.

{ice cream at the famous bonnie brae's}

{nighttime water aerobics}
struggling to get our act together

Now they've left. Way sad.

We laughed so hard and shared some fun things together.

Family is just the best.

home sweet home

2009-07-01T13:23:00.004-06:00

{driving from slc to co.}

Mom and Madi were in one car, Soph and I in the other. I drove our car, which is manual, so it was a big deal (and the truest test of my driving skills). We rocked out to oldies and pop (a little Backstreet Boys, not gonna lie) and finally arrived back in good 'ol Colorado Springs around 9:30pm. It was heaven to see Brian again!

Yesterday the girls and I went to the pool and did some bargain shopping at the outlets. We love having them stay with us in our cute little apartment and see our world!

It felt sort of funny the first night being hostess to my mother. "I feel like I should tuck you in," she told me as we said goodnight. What fun, though, to show off our new married life to them!

farewell

2009-06-28T21:39:00.009-06:00

It's been a week since Sam's farewell. We've already received a letter and an email, and he already sounds older and wiser. He looooves the MTC and his companion. They both love ties and being clean.

Kathy and Clark came home this afternoon from their MTC seminar this past week. They gave us the blow-by-blow of it, and then it was goodbye. I didn't think I was going to be emotional, but it was actually really hard to say goodbye for three years. I can't wait 'til they're there with Sam, though!

sam and the girls

some family who have served missions

me. rachel. liz: cousins three

jumping cousins

(i look like i'm gonna fall flat on my face. chloe looks slightly nervous about hitting the ground. sam and madi are beyond great --- madi should be in a gap commercial.)

black and white panoramics part II

2009-06-28T12:40:00.004-06:00

black & white panoramics part I

2009-06-27T11:49:00.005-06:00

slc part v

2009-06-27T09:50:00.007-06:00

I took my bridals in Heber at this funny western place because the background colors were perfect. While my photographer and I were shooting, my mom and dad took a lunch break at Tony's BBQ just steps away, and ever since then we've been in love with that restaurant. Heber= Tony's.

I picked up my wedding pictures yesterday, so we of course went to Tony's on our way out. Try it. You'll just be amazed, I promise. Plus, it's complete with Texas stars and country music. The owner is a doll, and now she knows us since we've been a few times. That's fun.

_________________________

Kels and I had dinner last night at Trio. Light chatter surrounded us, + some Coldplay. We swapped stories of recent and dawdled at our table while it poured sheets outside. It was a lovely evening.

Trio is the place where all big things seem to be told. At Trio, my dad told the kids that he was called as Bishop. Brian and I had our first date there, and I learned he was something special. I had a wedding shower dinner with the girls, too. And plenty of fun date nights have happened in between. It's just the greatest restaurant ---- No.2 next to The Dodo.

dear husband,

2009-06-26T12:38:00.005-06:00

{my funny brian. mcdonalds. gibraltar. honeymoon}

I miss you! It's just not the same without you here.

And going to bed alone is lonely. So that's why I stay up super late so that I just fall asleep without my knowing and wake up with the sun. If I go to bed at a decent time, I just lie there thinking of you, wishing we were snuggling.

I super miss your handsome face (and those glasses! ah!) and that smile that makes me melt. That's a feature I loved from the very beginning, ya know. Yer jus s'darn cute. I've been looking through our honeymoon pictures to look at pictures of you. Remember that unreal trip?

But you are working your little fanny off while I'm away, and for that I'm super proud. Ah! I just love you a million.

Happy Friday.

xoxox

me.

PS: I painted my nails purple. And got a bang trim at 8am this morning. I'm so glad they're back.

slc part iv

2009-06-25T22:51:00.010-06:00

WE had dinner tonight with my cousins at my Grandparents Close. We sat outside on their beautiful patio, which I love. It's one of my favorite summer activities, so I didn't want to miss it while I was home this week.

mom and dad.

I luf them.

my eyes disappear when I laugh really hard.

cousins Kellen + Linnea

yay for Kellen returning from his Swedish mission!

Emma and Aden playing in Grandpa's wishing pond. The kids were soaking by the end of the night.

__________________________

Fifi moved into Sam's room tonight. Sam's skis are a nice touch, I think.

slc part iii

2009-06-24T23:19:00.017-06:00

This is the last family photo (minus mom who took the photo and Bri, + Sami and Chloe and Rhett) before we took the journey to the MTC. We followed Presidente y Hermana Hinckley + Lizzie down to Provo, then snapped a few photos before dropping Elder Close at the curb. My favorite line of the day: "We will do our best to treat him like our nephew" from Presidente. There was relief on the heart knowing that Sam will meet his aunt and uncle in Barcelona come August.

A sweet senior sister crossed Sam's name off the list when we arrived at the curb. Second favorite line: "You have three {I love the exactness} minutes to take some pictures and say goodbye." They are most efficient at the MTC. One excited elder took Sam's bags, another walked him inside the Lorenzo Snow building. And that was it. Can't wait to hear from him!

He's asleep now after a long day of learning. What a great kid, now a missionary.

____________________________________________

Parents, Soph, and I + Madi and entourage went to the south lawn of the Capital for a free movie and popcorn under the stars tonight. It was actually so fun and so summer. Yay for summer nights.

slc part ii

2009-06-23T23:03:00.003-06:00

We spent the afternoon at the pool today: one last family outing before Sam leaves tomorrow. I started reading Harry Potter again, and I just have such childhood nostalgia that all comes back every time I go to pick up where I left off. Pool-side reading is simply the best.

Now Sam is adding the final touches to his bags. He's been set apart as a missionary, and he'll be in the Provo MTC tomorrow!

xoxoxo

slc part i

2009-06-23T00:49:00.017-06:00

this week's posts are for you, babe ---- one every day 'til I'm home.

I can't fall asleep because I'm in SLC and my husband is at our house in CO. I'm missing my favorite half --- it's just not the same.

We drove down together for my brother Sam's farewell on Father's Day (gor.geous drive, ps, hint hint), but Brian flew home super early this morning, and I'm here for the week. I've missed my family tremendously, and being home fixes all the missing. But now I'm missing my husband, wishing we were together for all the Salt Lake adventures.

Today we drove down to our little house in Provo to drop off some furniture of Sami's for us to store (and by store I mean use). Now we're equipped with family's furniture, including Grammie and Grandad's darling dresser. After moving, we lunched at Provo's classic Brick Oven.

{do you notice my alfalfa arch of hair? what?}

Then we hit Salt Lake's finest: the Snow Shack, followed by living room catching-up at the Garfields.

And tonight we had a backyard family bbq.

love

2009-06-15T12:15:00.004-06:00

I will always love you. Deeply. Madly. Foreverly. I just wanted you to know that even though it seemed weird to take your picture while you were making our bed, I just really wanted to try and snap a picture so that I wouldn't forget how I love you even in the simple, mundane moments of life.

outside my window

2009-06-13T16:30:00.004-06:00

Out our balcony window I see a house that looks like it belongs in Italy. Maybe it's just the light or the distortion of the blinds, but I like to think that there's a little villa out there. It's always fun to day dream, to wonder what it would feel like to be someone else for a day. But

today I love feeling the burn at the gym, my soul search in my red journal, and a girls night on the way. Even slow days bring happiness.

cheers.

s'mores and more

2009-06-08T12:18:00.003-06:00

adam&holly.lauren&mike&jack.ali&brian

grill night at apts.

plenty of hilarity and chit-chat.

A&B

2009-06-01T11:43:00.012-06:00

here's to one month, babe!

xoxoxox

the woes of the kitchen

2009-05-29T16:04:00.005-06:00

When I was a Beehive in Young Women, we made a recipe book out of index cards. I remember thinking that I would totally have cooking under control (which is the humble way of saying mastered) by the time I was a wife and needed to cook for my husband and myself so that we could survive. Needless to say, I haven't quite got the whole cooking part of my wife duties under control. One afternoon I found this spaghetti sauce recipe amongst other silly recipes, hoping to find something brilliant to cook for dinner. It just so fit exactly how I was feeling: this really should be as easy as adding Prego sauce from the bottle to cooked meat.

but it's not.

Inventory:

--- I burned two bagels while in the oven on broil (we forgot to bring our toaster out here.) one right after the other. I don't want to say that I forgot about them in the oven, but I did. The smoke alarm went off both times, but by the second time my heart wasn't pounding out of my chest while I wondered frantically what my neighbors thought of me --- I was immune. I didn't want to give it the "third time's the charm" go. I just gave up and opened our balcony door.

--- I made Sami's brownies for Brian (topped with golden marshmallows and Nutella) one of the first days we were here, because he loved them so much after we had them in NYC when we stayed with Sami. But I had no Pam, so I used butter, but they still stuck to the pan, and every day they got harder and harder. Finally on day three I asked Brian to be honest and tell me if I should just throw them away. In the kindest of ways, he told me to throw them away. So I did, then let the pan soak for 24 hours.

When I made the brownies a second time, the marshmallows burned black and set off the smoke alarm. I was so mad that I just scraped off the burnt mallows and put on new mallows. Needless to say that the brownies were very thin. But we ate them anyways. I was determined to force feed them to Brian and myself if I had to.

Now you're all afraid to come visit us because of my serious issues with the kitchen.

Last Sunday I was craving my mom's roast and potatoes so badly because I wanted my house to smell like 1194 when we walked in from church. So I called Grammie Doll that morning to make sure I was preparing the roast right. It worked out just great, the smell and all, and we even invited Mike and Lauren over.

So I'm not completely doomed. But let's just say that cooking is way more than just spaghetti sauce.

home

2009-05-29T15:53:00.007-06:00

The half hour from 9pm to 9:30pm is great because I anticipate Brian coming home so much that I practically turn hyper. Last night I left him a little note on our red door of 2234 just to show him how excited I was that he was finally home. I love when he comes home. so much.

And that kiss was good.

little boy jack

2009-05-29T15:40:00.004-06:00

One day Lauren had to do some work in the office, so I played with Jack while she was gone. He's absolutely hysterical with his spit bubbles and giggles. Oh man this kid is cute.

our afternoon goodbyes

2009-05-28T13:53:00.009-06:00

I love my husband because he kisses me goodbye every morning, followed by a gigantic hug as he heads out the door for work. Then he whispers sweet things in my ear that make me smile from ear to ear. Today he told me that I make him a better man. Truth is, he makes me a better woman. How'd we land such a perfect togetherness? (Perfect for us, that is.)

Love him forever.

a fort

2009-05-26T14:00:00.008-06:00

I made a fort for us in our living room yesterday afternoon; it's just the right size for two. When Brian came home last night and saw the blankets hung on chairs that sat on the couch, he laughed with love for his wife who is still very much a child at heart. I so very much love that my husband adores all my crazy antics simply because they make me me. Sometimes I feel like they make him love me more. Never once have I felt that I couldn't be myself with him.

So we watched a movie in our fort 'til our eyes began to droop with tiredness, then sauntered off to bed.

love to my husband

2009-05-22T10:26:00.004-06:00

Normally, Brian and I wake up early so that we have the mornings together before he heads to work. But this morning he's very tired, so I'm holding myself back from jumping on the bed to wake him up. I just love knowing that he's in the next room soundly sleeping.

I love everything about you, husband, including your sleeping feet. I love dreaming together and rolling over in the night and finding each other. You're my very favorite.

Love you, sleeping husband.

me.

happy honeymoon

2009-05-18T10:58:00.022-06:00

Spain was nothing short of a blessing. It was probably the most spectacular week of our lives, and for that we are ever grateful.

We stayed in a cute little two bedroom apartment with a balcony. We rented a Fiat, bought groceries at the Super Sol and cooked most every meal in the apartment. One night, Brian made a fancy pasta dinner and we ate on the balcony at sunset.

When Brian told me that he had officially bought our honeymoon tickets, he gave me a Spain guidebook. It came in handy on this trip, because it recommended visiting Ronda. Now we recommend it to all of you! It's our new favorite city. It was quaint, full of culture, not too touristy, and the architecture was like nothing we had seen before.

Ronda sits on top of a gigantic cliff where the old and new parts of the city are joined by a spectacular bridge. Since Ronda sits atop a cliff, the views were mesmerizing. Rolling green hills of every color held beautiful olive tree gardens. We stared and stared.

I love poppies. Especially red ones. We found a mini hillside of them, so Brian picked one and put it behind my ear. I wore it the rest of the day. He's too darling.

This silhouette of me is down inside the bridge.

We just wandered and wandered, sometimes following the guidebook, sometimes not. While not following the guide book, we happened upon this mansion that has been turned into a museum. It was filled with immaculate detail and beauty. It was completely spanish style: colorful tile, arches, court yards, gorgeous & quaint gardens. We decided that we want to build our house after this mansion.

One of the days in Spain, we took a little day trip to Gibraltar. It's still under English rule, so everything is very British. I was so hyper when we arrived, so there were many Harry Potter jokes used that just wouldn't be funny to repeat here. But I did name it the New London of Spain (even though it's its own sovereign, essentially.) I just had to stand in the red telephone booth.

Gibraltar is known for its tailless monkeys. They are completely unafraid of humans now that so many tourists have come to see them, so they just sit by you without any questions. But if you touch them, be ready to pay 500 pounds to New London.

The rock of Gibraltar is taller than both the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower. So we took a cable car to the top then walked many miles down through these tropic-like surroundings.

We saw this amazing cave that holds classical concerts today because of its incredible size and acoustics. We also saw the siege tunnels that were used during World War II, which was incredible. We were dead tired by the end of the day, but we loved Gibraltar. Cheerio!

We also went to Seville, but it was big-city and not quite as spectacular as Ronda. We did see, however, the palace from which Christopher Columbus was sent to America. It was absolutely breathtaking, but our camera gave- out half- way through.

On the way back to Salt Lake, we had a layover in NYC, so we stayed with Sami and met-up with Lizzie in Madison Square Park for the Shake Shack. It was such the perfect layover.

The south of Spain is so worth a trip! We loved every minute of it.

silverware hunt begins tomorrow

2009-05-18T10:56:00.004-06:00

We don't have silverware, so I had to eat cereal with a gigantic spoon. I just laughed.

it really is as good as it's cracked up to be

2009-05-15T12:18:00.008-06:00

I'm using someone else's internet, 'cause it's free and we haven't bought ours yet. It only works at my kitchen table, but that's ok, because this little kitchen/living room has become my new favorite room of our new apartment. A load of whites is in the washer, everything is unpacked and looking oh-s0-cute, and I'm just praying that this internet that I've swiped will last so that I can write all about the many adventures as of late.

I think it just hit me that my husband goes to work every day until way past dark and I'm left to fend for myself. I played with Lauren all day yesterday after unpacking, though, which was the best. I'm pretty positive that will happen most every day simply because she's a kindred spirit whom I love dearly. I'm so lucky to have a sister and a best friend in one. I'm feeling a little bit lonely right now, I'll admit, but I've got plans up my sleeve, so I can't dawdle in self-pity for too long. If I do, it's gonna be a long summer.

I'm really loving it, I promise. We're in a charming apartment with a red door. I've always wanted a red front door. The apartment is pretty glamorous compared to our Provo house, and I know for a fact that we'll have a little culture shock when we head back to our little matchbox in Provo. Furniture was here upon arrival, so Brian and I unpacked only kitchen glams, clothing, and things for decorating. Lauren had Chinese take-out on the kitchen counter ready for us, plus printed pictures from our wedding all around the front room. It was such the most wonderful house-warming welcome. Love her. Brian and I reveled in unpacking and unpacking kitchen boxes. We danced to Etta James' At Last in the kitchen because we missed it at our reception, and it was just so romantic- feeling to be in our house together. Life couldn't be sweeter.

{Internet connection still holding. This is good.}

I bought all necessary items for living yesterday, but I was a bargain wife shopper. We quickly learned that you can't live without toilet paper. It was so fun to pull things out of boxes, remembering who gave them to us. We are so grateful. You're all apart of our beginning.

Brian and I baby-sat Baby Jack last night after work while Lauren took Mike out for his birthday. It was Brian's first day on the doors and my first day as house-wife, so it was sweet to talk about our long days while Jack slept. I love when Brian comes home to me. It's the best to not ever say goodbye for more than an afternoon.

Lauren said something yesterday which I loved. She said that she loves that her marriage is all that Marriage is cracked up to be. I couldn't agree more. All those engaged days when we knew that married life together would be spectacular have come true. I couldn't be happier than I am right now.

xoxox from CO

{Spain pictures to come next!}

married in five

2009-04-27T09:51:00.004-06:00

We have a cute little house for fall! It's ours to rent for as long as needed! It has a blue kitchen (with an ugly light that needs replacing --- see it in the background?), complete with blue counter tile and black and white diamonds on the floor. (I about died when I saw that! I've always wanted a kitchen with a black and white diamond-ed floor.) We've officially moved out of single housing and are storing most of our belongings in our house for the summer 'til we get back from Colorado.

Did I mention that we are FIVE days, I repeat, FIVE days away from being married?!

I went through the temple on Saturday night in Bountiful. All I can say is that it felt like home. Thank you to all who took part in the letter writing for my temple book. I read them all Friday night before I went to bed, and sobbed the whole time. I felt like you were all in my living room with me, each telling me your story. A million thankyous. Really. xoxoxo

We are getting married THIS week!

grammie doll's veil

2009-04-16T10:53:00.004-06:00

Did I mention that I'm wearing my Grammie Doll's (my mom's mom) veil? It's in perfect condition, so she pulled it out after Brian and I got engaged. She took me to her back room one night when we were at number 2H and pulled it out of the box. It was three layers deep and had a beautiful head piece attached. "You can take it apart and use any part of it that you want," she told me excitedly. I was thrilled. That little wedding poem ran through my head instantly and I thought, I have something old. But a piece of my Grammie.

So as my dress neared finishing, I decided that I just wanted one layer and no head piece for the veil. When Susan took it apart, it was held together by silk thread; that's something unheard of these days. I wasn't going to do a veil initially. I thought that I'd feel silly. But when I tried one on just for kicks, it completed the feel --- it made me a bride.

Grammie's veil is perfect. Forever will I be reminded of her and how we were connected on May 1st by the same veil we both wore on our wedding days.

xoxox, Gram

post script: I debated for a good seven minutes if I should crop a bridal picture to just show my face and the veil. But in the end decided that that's still cheating even though the whole dress isn't showing. So for now, enjoy a post without a picture.

beginning moments

2009-04-11T08:43:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was our three week mark. It's all feeling more and more real, but surreal in the same moment, too. My life really began when I met Brian, but it's going to start again on May 1st. I think life has many beginning moments --- beginning moments of immense goodness. They could be called life chapters, I suppose, but they seem more than that, more than just add-ons to what is. These beginning moments are more like the next book in the series. You finish one book and are left wondering how it could ever get better. And then it does. It's called a beginning moment. I had a beginning moment when we first talked about marriage in October and when we got engaged on New Year's Eve. I've no doubt that May 1st will be a beginning moment.

On our way up to Salt Lake last night, Brian and I met my mom at Costco to print off our engagement pictures. We're sending them Monday morning! Then I headed straight to Susan's for my final dress fitting. Dad came with me for a little daddy/daughter time. As Susan explained to my dad how to stand at the bottom of the stairs and wait for me to saunter down, I stood in front of the mirror just in awe at my bride self. I am a bride. I couldn't believe my dress is finished, all buttons in place, all seams bound, all nips and tucks made. Finished. It was a special moment with me, myself, and I in front of that mirror. My bride self has grown as the dress has grown. I've stood in front of that mirror so many times, gazing at the changes each week. The dress really did speak to me like Susan said it would: ditch the jacket, do a bow here, stick with the buttons. I've shared special moments in that upstairs bedroom at Susan's. It was special one last time as I shared in that daddy/daughter moment.

After dinner with Dad, we met mom and the reception food team around the round table in the red room on Michigan. Darin sketched the Garden Park grounds, drawing tables and placement of food as desired. What a happy night with them! So much laughter, so many ideas, so much goodness. I feel so cared for, so loved. Brian and I have many people who have been generous beyond the moon to us. Thank you.

Today started off early in the temple. I was just a walk-in, but was taken care of so well. I love connecting to people while there. Up next: nails at 9:30am, hair at 11am, bridal pictures in Heber at 4pm. Ah!

Weddings are too fun to stress about.

wants = needs

2009-04-07T13:58:00.002-06:00

i want to blog, but have no time.

i want to eat, but also have no time.

i want to sleep, but that's the last thing on the list.

i want to be with Brian, but we're seeing less and less of each other as finals draw nearer and nearer.

i want to sit in the sun, but have to furiously fake this research paper while inside.

lame.

AHHHH!

2009-04-01T17:37:00.003-06:00

thirty days exactly!

why i'm excited to leave single housing, part II

2009-03-30T09:20:00.001-06:00

Because I've grown tired of the animal kingdom living on my shower curtain.

crazy surreal

2009-03-27T15:48:00.002-06:00

I have my first shower tomorrow. That's just crazy.

And our invitations arrived and they're gorgeous! I just kept staring and staring. And then I'd put it back in the envelope and stare off into the distance and then pull it out again. I just LOVE it. Yay!

count down

2009-03-26T18:01:00.009-06:00

{a silly picture which I adore. capital building.}

Counting down 'til May 1 of course reminds me of counting down 'til Christmas: the anticipation is thick and the spirits are high. Those December days until the 25th don't seem to pass quickly enough, yet at the very same time you wish they'd last longer just so that you can go ice skating one more time and squeeze in one more mistletoe kiss --- adventures that are really only December- worthy. And then when Christmas day breaks, isn't there a bit of sadness because you know that the season is practically over and everything you've anticipated has come?

But that's not how May 1 will be.

We are anticipating the day like no other (literally speaking, here), yet we'll be just at the start of our adventures. I love that these engagement adventures only come once like mistletoe kissing in December. But I love even more that we'll be anticipating other mini adventures all throughout our marriage. The adventure never stops. It only heightens.

Really, we're just counting down to the beginning.

why i'm excited to leave single housing, part I

2009-03-25T13:11:00.004-06:00

Because these sticky flower things just aren't me. Let me just say that my bath-mate and I didn't consult about the sticky flowers before she decorated our bathroom.

sneak peek

2009-03-25T12:15:00.010-06:00

Sometimes my ring catches in my hair when I'm doing it in the mornings, and I smile with glee at the reminder that I'm getting married in thirty-seven days. But it's not like I really need a reminder, because I'm definitely counting down the days. My paper chain is so much shorter, showers and invitations are on their way, and I just could not be happier. I'm realizing these days why songwriters only write about love --- because they so desperately want to express what they're feeling, so they write again and again, hoping that at least one line will make some sense of their heart. I wish I could adequately describe how I feel these days. There have been a myriad of emotions. I love Brian more every day.

Love's growth blows me away.

Our invitations are coming this weekend, and we'll be making the final cut on the engagement pictures, too. My dress is beyond gorgeous, and it's fascinating to see it unravel just as I want. I love my dress fittings. Plans are finally starting to blossom, and I just can't help but giggle like a little girl. I'm the luckiest girl.

I feel like I'm stepping into my best self. I can see it up ahead --- it's almost here!

i love this day

2009-03-20T10:27:00.004-06:00

happy first day of spring!

in retrospect

2009-03-17T01:18:00.002-06:00

Goodness this weather is fantastic! I pulled out one of my favorite parts of me again: my skirt self. Yep, I wore a skirt and cardigan and loved not having a coat. Not even at night! We are a lucky people here in Prov.

Today was a bit rough overall. No particular reason --- just a hard one, ya know? But then I'm sorta sad as I get ready for bed that I sorta wasted this sunny day bein' kinda mopey. Better mood tomorrow for sure. Tomorrow I won't forget that I'm a goddess with enough supreme power to put my foot down at the tempting foot of Ho-hum/Gloom/Blah. The sweetest fiance reminded me today of who I really am.

So as I brushed my teeth tonight I tried to remember every last thing I'm grateful for. That is, all the things that I forget about on a regular basis. Things like warm water from my faucet (I just let it run over my hands for a couple minutes. mmmm.), floss, legs that just move without me consciously demanding their movement, etc. You know that list. I am grateful for a bucket-load of things. Gratitude really does lift your spirits.

This morning I remembered how to do double-dutch. I felt so proud.

Things weren't really that bad today. Too bad I was a bit gloomy for no real reason. Better mood tomorrow for sure.

it's you i've been looking for

2009-03-12T20:34:00.001-06:00

We're down to 50 days 'til May 1st, so I made a little present for the fiance. We're almost there!

honeymoon

2009-03-11T12:51:00.003-06:00

My first trip to Europe is coming May 2. And it's with Brian (It'll be his first trip to Europe, too)! Malaga, Spain!

Thanks to the future parents-in law who gave us the honeymoon as our wedding gift we are able to choose anywhere in the world for our honeymoon. When The Dominican Republic fell through (original plan) and tickets to Europe fell to crazy-low prices, we decided on Malaga. So it was all just in the works until last night when Brian stopped by my house with a bouquet of flowers and a present in tow. The present was a book, but not just any book. It's our first travel book . . .about Spain! The pages about Malaga were marked with our itinerary as a bookmark --- the flight is booked! Spain! Ah!

I'm the luckiest girl.

growing up

2009-03-04T22:54:00.005-07:00

Brian and I went shopping last night, and while shopping I remembered that I need new pajamas (like it was some staple on a grocery list like milk. silly me.). So we looked, I tried on, and I found the most dreamy, comf. pajamas. I want to live in them. They're just the right amount of stretch so that you want to just curl up for always in them, ya know?

As we walked out of the store with purchased pajamas in hand, Brian said, "I think it's time to let go of the tie-dye shirt [that I wear to bed], too. You're gettin' a little old for that." (He sadly saw it when he showed up on my doorstep to surprise me to birthday breakfast. Embarrassing.) He looked at me with that little, loving smirk that I love. The one that says, "You're a silly, silly girl, but a very loveable silly girl." It was a classic moment. I laughed out loud and knew it was so true. Plus, I just couldn't wear tie-dye with the new beauties. Perfect- pajama suicide. So we bought a shirt, too, and let me tell you that I feel all sorts of better. Going to bed is all the more great. And I feel my age.

aside: the tie-dye shirt may have ONE HEART ONE MIND stamped on the front in bold. It may be my sister Madi's from girls camp. I may have stolen it. All possible.

i just love him

2009-03-04T00:49:00.000-07:00

that's all that i'll ever need. i'm so in love.

he's a missionary with a mission!

2009-02-26T14:25:00.006-07:00

hint: Clark and Kathy Hinckley will be his mission presidents!

beatrix for birthday

2009-02-25T12:08:00.002-07:00

I grew up reading Beatrix Potter books, and I loved Miss Potter the movie about Beatrix herself. Well, my parents completely surprised me with bunny rabbit book ends for the old classics. Mom says that they're for my upcoming school kids as well as my own kids! They're so cute on my shelf right now, and I can't wait to read them to little future kids!

night thoughts

2009-02-25T01:28:00.004-07:00

I dreamt of making my Spittler home this afternoon as I took a soak in the sun on the green grass of BYU campus. In Februrary? I'll take it! It was the most lovely, spontaneous birthday gift from above. I'll admit I smelled like grass afterwards, and I wished that my legs were more cleanly shaven (that sun shows all!), but I just kept day dreaming, 'cause it was just too good of dreamin' to worry about hairy legs and smelling like grass. I dreamt of light streaming through windows, me watering little plants growing in little pots on the kitchen windowsill, white bed sheets: our space. It was quite a treat. This morning, though, Brian started my day off right by waking me up at 7am and taking me to Lauren and Mike's where he proceeded to whip up some amazing concoction of pomegranate/ pear french toast and homemade apple turn-overs. I'm totally marrying right.

Isn't it interesting that none of us really know anything about marriage? Yet we walk into it anyways. With full force. With miracle-found readiness. I feel completely confident in marriage because I have Brian with me. I'm excited to have two peanut butters (he likes creamy, I like crunchy), two orange juices (he likes pulp, I like no pulp), to dance in the kitchen while doing dishes, to have a TV show that we watch religiously together every week, to have pillow fights before bed, to stay up late talking in the dark, to make forts in our living room, to have each other one hundred percent. I'm not omitting the hard stuff that comes in the package, but I do know that the hard stuff makes the marriage sweeter and the fabulous moments all the more fabulous. I'm so ready for the whole package.

It's hard to not get caught up in wanting to be married so bad it physically hurts. I've cried many a night after saying good night to Brian. But I'm happy. Happier than I've ever been. One year ago on my very birthday I was kissed for the very first time. Now I'm wearing an engagement ring from that same boy who gave me my first kiss. Crazy how time passes and the dots line up all in a row. Little did I know that seeing Lauren and Brian in the LRC that January day a year ago would change my life forever. I loved more than any other year this past year of being twenty. But I'm most positive that this year of twenty-one will top them all. Ah!

the very first

2009-02-23T12:02:00.005-07:00

Last night we had a mini pre- birthday bash pour moi (pictures to come), but Brian and I got to open our first wedding gift, too! We love my dear aunts and Grandparents Hansen for giving us our every day dishes! I can't believe we have a wedding gift. My paper chain is getting shorter, and plans are being finalized and dreamed up, too. We're having a ball.

for valentines. . .

2009-02-18T09:22:00.006-07:00

we bought the first piece for our future home: a mid-century modern lamp from EmilyJane in Salt Lake. It's so perfect we can't even stand it. We're so excited. (Probably a little bit too much for something like a lamp, but oh well.) Then we wandered through other consignment stores until they closed. That night he took me to The Metropolitan: a fancy five course meal restaurant downtown. I opened a beautiful letter and a box of real pearl earrings so that my ears won't be ruined by fakes. They're gorgeous, and he's a gem. After opening, I overheard the woman next to us whisper to her husband, "Chris, he wrote her a letter and got her a present. You didn't do anything for me." I love Brian so very very much. I can't even believe I have a sweetheart. I'm the luckiest girl.

xoxo

2009-02-14T19:45:00.001-07:00

happy love day! i'm so glad that you're mine to keep. for forever.

paper chains

2009-02-13T00:59:00.006-07:00

Brian made a paper chain to count down the days until May 1st. It inspired me to make my own chain, so here's to seventy-eight and counting {DOWN!} Hooray!

note

2009-02-12T01:11:00.005-07:00

Sometimes I write myself secret blogs, never posting them because I wonder if it's too much for the blogland. But I've come to realize that through that, I sometimes write (or don't write) because of the blogland, not for myself. There are definitely some things that just shouldn't be read by the blogland; somethings are just meant for the confines of our hearts. But I want to continuously write for myself, for my being --- not just most of the time. It's interesting to keep a journal of sorts online, but like I've said a hundred times: I love it dearly. Just remember to always write what I want.

realities of my future

2009-02-11T20:00:00.005-07:00

Since Brian and I've been engaged, he's asked me a couple of times if it's hit me yet that we're getting married. My answer has always been that I've of course known that we're getting married, but it hasn't really hit me. After we talked about marriage for the very first time I gave him a hug and said, "This is all that I've wanted." And it is. More than anything ever before. But it wasn't until last night that I realized that I'm really planning a wedding, that I have found the person who is my better half and who is my very best friend.

Brian and I went to the Draper Temple open house with my family last night, and I was emotionally stable through the whole tour, even the sealing room. But after the tour we found out where we'll be this summer selling for APX (Colorado!), and then my future life caught up with me and I was overcome with emotion. I held back the tears all the way from the temple to our car, but on the ride back to Provo, I just sobbed.

It's indescribable, really, how close I felt to God and to Brian in the same moment. And it was also realizing that all that I've dreamt about and hoped for in a husband and in a future is here. It was the creme de la creme of a moment, and one of those where you're more firmly rooted.

jump for joy

2009-02-10T17:49:00.006-07:00

I'm in! I am an official Elementary Education major! I overheard a girl in math lab tell her friend that she got accepted into the El.Ed. major, and my heart skipped a jump, wondering if my acceptance letter was at home waiting. So when I saw the stuffed envelope on my kitchen table, my heart skipped again. There's nothing quite like the feeling of your future career in the hands of someone else. But the letter said all things good!

Once upon a time I was an English major. But then discussions about passions with best friend Jacq rekindled my love of education. But even after deciding that this is what I want to do, I was timid. But Brian, the sweet boy that he is, knew I could pull it off. So here we go! I love the feeling of a choice being absolutely right. It's that on-top-of-the-world feeling, want-to-squeeze-the-person-next-to-you feeling. Bring on the scissors and construction paper, children's books, and silly dance moves; I couldn't be happier!

happy birthday to you

2009-02-09T00:00:00.005-07:00

My one and only, the love of my life, my very best friend is TWENTY-FIVE this very day!

01. he's the best date: a gentleman through and through + great date planner.
02. he's the best gift-giver; he loves to give only the best for you.
03. he'll do anything for you at the drop of a hat.
04. he knows all bands and songs, I swear. he's willing to pay the big bucks if you play "Name that Band" with him.
05. he puts his whole heart into whatever he's doing.
06. he knows the most random facts, but they make for great car ride and date conversations. ask him about how to measure heat in hot sauce next time you see him.
07. he'll make you laugh every day.
08. he's simply dashing.
09. he loves to travel just as much as I do.
10. he's the best listener and advice-giver.
11. he's opinionated, which I love.
12. he's Brian 100%.
13. he wants to change the world for the better.
14. he's willing to grow.
15. he's a restaurant connoisseur.
16. he's brilliant with directions, even nyc and dc subways.
17. he's such an easy conversationalist because he asks thought-provoking questions and has insightful things to say.
18. he makes you feel your best.
19. he's so patient and understanding.
20. he's a natural leader.
21. he's a CNN expert, devoted listener.
22. he's incredibly sweet.
23. he loves to mix modern with retro/antique.
24. he's great at staying calm or calming others.
25. he's the best part about me.

i'm good with the dark, but fake lizards?

2009-02-04T09:03:00.007-07:00

I came home last night and went straight to my computer to write a quick one page paper. Then I got in my pajamas and went to climb into bed, but stopped because there was a lizard on it. Not even lying, I threw my pen at it to make sure it wasn't real. Here was my train of thought: Ah! What?! It wasn't here when I first walked into the room, so it must have crawled up here. It's not moving, but they're always very still. I need something to throw at it to make sure it's not real. . . a pen! It turned out to be fake; it was a lovely prank from my roommate that worked. I'm pathetic.

nyc subway surprise

2009-02-03T19:19:00.006-07:00

I was filming on the subway in NYC one time and caught a fabulous surprise --- you'll know it as soon as you see it. But after that, the rest of the video's pretty boring, so don't watch (I wish I could somehow edit it to just the good surprise.) It's just one of those things that's so sad and embarrassing, but so funny, too.

"things of nature just speak to me!"

2009-01-30T12:11:00.003-07:00

Um, no big thing: my dear friend Kelsie created this in one day for a school project (she's at FIDM in LA). She picked these Mexican palm leaves from her neighborhood early in the morning so she wouldn't get in trouble, then brought them home and finished with this. She's incredibly talented beyond words.

nyc and dc

2009-01-29T18:40:00.024-07:00

Brian and I met at a Barack Obama meeting back in January one year ago here at BYU. I was just getting into politics because of Obama, but Brian got on board back in 2004. We continued to work on the campaign here in Provo at BYU, and we traveled to Colorado every weekend and El Paso once and he to Nevada as well. We put everything into the campaign for all those months, and then the Utah State Director offered Brian two tickets to the Inauguration and the Western States Ball for he and me. How could we ever pass those up? It was so last minute that it seemed practically impossible, but thanks to cousins Ada and Sami, it all worked out. We stayed in NYC with Sami for the weekend before, and then with Ada on the following Monday and Tuesday in DC. Thank you, thank you to both!

We flew into NYC and took a subway with all of our bags and then walked a few blocks to Sami's darling apartment, which we adored! The subway was a little bit crazy with our bags, but I loved it the whole time we were there --- so adventurous!

We ate out with Sami for every meal because there are just too many fantastic hole-in-the-wall restaurants to pass up. If we lived there, we'd have to have serious restraint on the wallet when it came to food. Our favorite dessert was Rice to Riches: rice pudding; try the chocolate chip or french toast heated.We literally craved more as soon as we finished. Provo's Pudding on the Rice doesn't compare, ps.

One day we went to see the Empire State Building while we waited for Sami at work, and then we met cousins Lizzie and JT in Times Square before they were going out with friends later that night. We walked with them to Rockefeller Plaza for the MOMA. Modernism is a new art form for me since I've been with Brian, and we loved this museum very very much.We had to say hi to the Mother J.Crew and see the ice rink, of course. It was a splendid tourist's day!

For breakfast one time, we ate at Norma's: a FANCY restaurant in the Parker-Meridian Hotel. I ordered chocolate french toast, but in reality was served chocolate cake. But it was filled with strawberries and laced with chocolate sauce and was simply amazing.

I loved the subway because of all the funny characters that ride it. I caught on video a guy sleeping and then falling over and hitting his head on the railing. It was classicly funny, but so sad, too. Oh, the subway.

On the Monday before the Inauguration we took the China Town bus from NYC to DC and stayed in Alexandria, VA with Ada and her girls. Yay! Inauguration day was an adventure all on its own. We were out the door by 6:30am and made the metro ride to the mall with plenty of others doing the same. Everyone was so nice and interested in each other's stories. It was such a fun way to start the day. Once we reached the mall, we stood in random lines that led to nowhere because of lack of direction. But we finally found where we needed to be by 9am and then we staked out our six inches for the next two hours.The crowds were really what it looked like on TV: just miles and miles of people, each ecstatic and energized to be there. There was such an energy that is indescribable. It was uplifting and held that finally and hooray! feeling. It was simply invigorating. We both felt so lucky to be there witnessing history. We were on the mall listening to the man who we had campaigned for for months. We LOVED it. We were behind the reflecting pool right behind a giant screen, so it was perfect. The lady in front of me gave me some hand warmers and a tissue ("You need this, honey," she said to me as she handed me the tissue.) It was so fun to be there with millions of people who love Obama and America. It's something we'll never forget, and something we'll tell our kids. (Our kids! Ah! That's a crazy thought!)

After Obama finished speaking, we headed out toward the subway, thinking that we'd be ahead of the game. But so did everyone else. We were all in a stand-still for hours it seemed, but we somehow made it through. We walked for miles that day, probably ten without exaggeration, trying to get to the Mall and home. It was insane. But totally worth every step. We hurried to get ready at Ada's for the ball that night, and then we spent the end of the night at the ball with good dancing and fancy dresses and lots of laughter. What a day! Unforgettable, really. We are two very, very lucky Americans. It was nothing short of a blessing.

The day after the Inauguration we walked the Mall. We started at the Capital, which was awe-inspiring to just stare at it. We hit the Air and Space and American History Smithsonians, and then ended the night with the Lincoln Memorial. The sun was setting as we reached the Lincoln and it was the perfect way to end the trip. We stood on its steps and stared at the Washington Monument with the sun setting just behind it. I was grateful in that moment. Grateful to be an American, to have an America, and to have taken this trip. And grateful above all else, for the forefathers building of this country. Hooray for our trip! Hooray for America!

look familiar?

2009-01-26T16:19:00.002-07:00

I love my fiance because he's my very own Clark Kent.

the stork brought a gift today

2009-01-24T17:54:00.003-07:00

I walked to Liberty Heights Fresh tonight to buy a bundle of flowers for the Schreiners Three: yes, welcome Jack Michael Schreiner! I can hardly wait to hold Baby Schreiner later tonight; I'm ecstatic that he's arrived!

a holiday back east

2009-01-14T16:40:00.006-07:00

I've lived a crazy last two days, trying to square away everything before leaving for NYC! I turned in my application to the Elementary Education program, which was at the top of the list, and now I just feel exhilarated that that is finished. I love night flying, so I'm beyond excited to head out on the red-eye tonight. Brian and I are traveling to NYC to stay with Sami and see Liz and JT (+ Ada, Chris, and girls) + a long list of greatness (as per Lizzie) --- it all awaits us in all the glam and glimmer that NYC can give. And Tuesday the 20th holds all things Inaugural: the swearing-in, plus some fancy, (real) black-tie dancing at one of the ten Inaugural balls. We are two lucky people to be able to steal away to NYC + the Inauguration. The DC part has special meaning, because Brian and I met at an Obama meeting in Provo last January, and then worked on the campaign up until November 4th. We are so lucky to witness history this upcoming Tuesday. Also, I can't wait to post pictures of my fabulous dress that soon-to-be mother-in-law, Karen Spittler, is creating for the ball --- you'll be just as amazed as I am about her serious talent. What a week it's going to be!

I've always dreamed of going to NYC, and now, in just hours, I'll be standing there +the Inauguration! I mean, c'mon! Who does this? Brian and I both are so lucky.

a night in salt lake

2009-01-10T09:37:00.002-07:00

I didn't think I really did much last night; but in retrospect, it was quietly eventful. I bought a quart size can of candy from Artichokes & Co. for a dear old friend from J.Crew, bought little boy blue things for Miss Lauren's baby shower, and then spent the rest of the evening watching Singin' in the Rain and looking through wedding magazines with mom. I really, really love being home.

today, most of all,

2009-01-08T19:25:00.004-07:00

i love you because you'll never be gone forever. (you're just gone for the weekend.)

it's not just may day

2009-01-08T12:17:00.003-07:00

I just want to tell you a few little secrets: I love wedding planning. Being engaged is the best! I love daydreaming about the first of May.

The dress is in the works and everything else is falling into place.

me myself and i

2009-01-06T18:13:00.005-07:00

I'm eating pancakes for dinner (they only take water!) and just about to dash off to a work meeting. I've nearly slipped a thousand times today (this weather doesn't work when you're simply trying to look cute or fashionable), and each time I thought of Jacq because we used to laugh about being slipping Grandmas. I got twelve compliments on my ring. And I just came from a lecture on knowledge verses certainty; the verdict is that knowledge doesn't mean you're certain. Strange, because you'd think that the phrase would be knowledge and certainty, but I suppose it makes sense from a spiritual point of view: God is all about growth, and that can't happen when you stop learning because you think you know it all. Interesting lecture. I felt best friends with myself today; I was just kind of in my own world: just laughing at myself each time I slipped, and swapping thoughts with myself as a I crossed campus a hundred times over. Somehow, in all it's craziness, it was beautiful.

there's always good

2009-01-05T18:54:00.002-07:00

Jacque flies to Paris today! She called her family this afternoon, but I obviously couldn't be there. But then when I got out of class tonight, she had called me from the airport! I stood still in the middle of the JSB hallway just listening to her voice and sobbing through the whole message. I'm so incredibly distraught about missing her call because I was in class, but then I happened upon this quote (thanks m.writes!) and somehow it makes me feel slightly better. I'm sad I missed her call, but I'm glad I got to hear her voice. That message will definitely be treasured for these next sixteen months.

ah!

2009-01-04T23:57:00.003-07:00

i love my fiance because sometimes he randomly tackles me, and then we laugh and laugh and laugh until our cheeks hurt and our lungs are tired.

photobooth

2009-01-03T19:30:00.006-07:00

I love my fiance because we watch the Colts game and listen to the BYU basketball game at the same time. And then I make him pause and take some pictures to keep me entertained, too. He's so cute when he's watches sports.

a new year brings:

2009-01-03T12:41:00.002-07:00

my very own lambs

2009-01-03T12:13:00.002-07:00

My dad paints and his lambs are my favorite. But they're a favorite of all LDS Utah women as well, so he quickly sells them after painting. So this year for Christmas I asked him for a painting of my own. It was by far the best Christmas gift from the parents and I will cherish it for always. It will most definitely have a place in my future home. Thanks a million, Dad.

us for always

2009-01-02T20:31:00.004-07:00

I love this picture a) because Brian's wearing a crown, and b) because we're sappily gazing into each other's eyes. I really love us.

I'm so glad you're mine for this year + more and more. Happy new year, sweetheart.

us.

2009-01-02T19:31:00.011-07:00

We got all dressed up for a ball at the capital --- he in a tux, I in my new heels and dress. We stood in the very spot we first kissed and he told me sweetly that he wants to start the new year off officially as us. And that's when I knew that he was milliseconds from getting down on one knee. Until then, I totally bought into the ball; but I learned quickly that it was all for fakes. He reached into his left pocket and I immediately covered my eyes, not believing that I was really living my proposal. It was completely an out-of-body experience, and one point when I was hugging him and he hadn't put the ring on yet, I literally thought that I was dreaming. But we are really engaged! It was surreal, but my favorite moment yet in life. Yay! He's really mine! We both smiled and laughed so much that night that our cheeks hurt by the end of the night. Aside from being really his, my favorite part of the proposal is that it was completely us. I love you so much, babe. Immediately after he proposed, a new layer was added to us, and it's the best. Go us!

I buried myself in him after he asked the question, having only barely glanced at the ring. And then he eventually said, "Well, do you want to see the ring?" The ring is gorgeous, and perfectly me and I still can't stop staring at it. I honestly couldn't ask for anything different.

After the proposal, we went to Banbara for dinner. He had a vase of flowers on the table, and our menus were customized to say Congratulations Ali and Brian! Neither of us could even think about eating; we couldn't stop smiling and he told me all of the behind the scenes details and I my ideas for the wedding day. There was a live jazz band playing, so while we waited for our entrees, we danced and I loved it. I loved it because I didn't care who was watching and I didn't care that we weren't on a dance floor. We were just in our own world and that's perfectly perfect.

We met both families up at the Spittlers after dinner, which was another happy surprise. We told the story and took a million zillion photos and then counted down until midnight. What a happy New Year's Eve!

There's nothing else I've wanted for the last three months than to have us be us for always. He's my bestest friend and the love of my life. How fantastic is it to always have him for always? I am ecstatic over and over and over again. I've jumped up and down too many times to count and definitely worked those smile muscles. We are happy beyond measure.

I can't believe we have a story. I can't believe we have engagement pictures. I can't believe I'm wearing the most gorgeous ring. Ah!

Save May the 1st!

all that i've wanted

2009-01-01T02:59:00.002-07:00

Add getting engaged to the love of 2008!

*pictures and story to come later on today!

love for 2008

2008-12-31T12:15:00.004-07:00

What a spectacular year! I have loved 2008 for so much (other than that it's an even year)!

To remember:
IN 2008

-- i ran my first 5K
-- i up and moved to provo and started my student life at BYU --- quite a good difference from Westminster
-- i wore red lipstick
-- i had my first kiss
-- i sent off my best friend on her mission
-- i fell in love
-- i became a democrat
-- i became a BYU football fan
-- i went to texas and colorado for Obama
-- i bought heels
-- i ate sushi and LOVED it
-- i danced in the rain
-- i got the best hair cut of my life
-- i learned to whistle
-- i learned to drive stick
-- i listened and was somewhat ok with screamo music

black heels and diamonds

2008-12-31T10:55:00.003-07:00

My shoe collection is forever altered, because last night I bought my very first pair of heels. And these are intense heels, I must say. Darling boy and I have a fancy black-tie affair tonight at the Capital, and that calls for black heels and diamonds! I'm ecstatic about the new dress ups for a New Year's Eve celebration!

*yes, the tag is still on the dress.

christmas with darling boy

2008-12-30T13:29:00.010-07:00

Once upon a time the most darling boy (aka the Brian Spittler) and I went shopping for jeans at Down East Outfitters. I picked through jeans but found none, but I did find a blue J.Crew coat that I couldn't take off once it was on. It came to the Crew last year just before I left my job there, and it was upwards of $200 then. So when I saw the killer price with darling boy, my mouth dropped. But I still couldn't afford it with my slim to none monies, so I walked away practically in tears. I thought about it all day and the next day and the next. I whined and whined to darling boy and he listened intently to my woes. But then he said, "It's probably best if you forget about it because you're going to kill yourself thinking about it. Something better will come along soon." So I forgot about it truly, until I opened that package on Christmas day. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. First words: "Ah! You didn't! You're so thoughtful!" He apparently went back and bought it immediately after dropping me off at home. He said I just had to have it.

So needless to say, it was a spectacular gift exchange between the most darling boy and me.
I love all things A + totes, so I screamed upon opening this box.
Pearls are a staple in my Hansen family. Grammie Doll has strands and strands (all of which I wore once to a dance in high school), my aunts and mom all have their own and they are worn frequently. I bought myself a pearl ring in Beijing last year, but I didn't own my own strand of pearls until this sweet boy said, "Open this!" and there they were! They are absolutely beautiful and carry both sentimental family feelings, as well as love for this darling boy.