Marriage does not suck

I married at a fairly young age. When I met Dallin, I was only nineteen, and we tied the knot when I was the ripe old age of twenty. 

Once we started dating seriously, I couldn't believe the "advice" that started coming in. There was so much negativity people were spreading about marriage. Once we were engaged, it really started raining down. Total strangers would counsel me to "just wait a while" before I supposedly kissed the good life goodbye and assumed a permanent ball and chain. 

To be honest, it freaked me out a little.

I know I was young and naive, but still I think I had a decent idea of what I was getting into. I had been looking forward to becoming a wife for as long as I could remember. I was lucky blessed enough to find the kind of man I always hoped I would find, someone that loved and respected me, who made me happy and kept me laughing. I'd found him, so why wouldn't I marry him? I'll admit there were times when the negative comments would get to me, and I would second-guess my decision. 

I'm so thankful I stuck to my guns though, because you know what? Marriage is freaking awesome. 

I know it isn't that way for everyone. Unfortunately it isn't always a happy ending. But if you find the right person, marriage can be the beginning of a fantastic life, not the end. I can honestly say, without reservation, that my life is so much happier, better, and more fulfilling than it was when I was single. I mean, I get to be with my bestest buddy every day. I can be myself – my dorky, unfiltered self –around him, and that's a big deal for me. We do almost everything together, from hot dates, to fun trips, to thrilling events like running to Walmart for that gallon of milk I forgot to pick up. Dallin keeps me laughing because he is funny, and I keep him laughing because of my rather blonde, klutzy tendencies. When my back has an itch, he can scratch it. When he needs an errand run, I am there to help. We each have responsibilities that help keep our household running smoothly. It's a perfect system for fulfilling all of our needs and helping us to be the happiest humans we can possibly be. Seriously folks, being married is the bomb diggity. 

I’m not saying it's always easy. It certainly requires work, forgiveness, sacrifice, and patience, but it is all worth it. So worth it. 

Two

Two years ago today this handsome man and I got hitched. 

Cliché as it sounds, I don't know how I got so lucky. He makes me happier every day. 

When I was engaged, and for a little while after we got married, so many people gave me marriage tips or advice. I remember hearing lots of them say that things get really hard after a few months or a year, once the "honeymoon is over," but man... it just keeps getting better. I don't know if it's something we're doing right, or if we just happen to get along remarkably well. Most likely it's a little bit of both. All I know is that just when I think I couldn't possibly be any happier, somehow every day I am... and it's all his fault. ;) 

Happy anniversary, my dulcet darling! I'm so glad you are mine.

Here.

I haven't always kept a journal, but over the years I've collected quite a few of them. Today I was organizing a bookshelf that mostly has my books on it, including quite a few of those journals. I ended up doing a lot more sitting on my haunches reading through them than organizing.

Annnd... I'm okay with that. 

These particular journals cover bits and pieces of my life from when I was 10 years old until just before I left for Russia at age 19. Those nine years held a lot of adventures and challenges that shaped me into the person I am now. I started out as a stubborn tomboy of a 10-year-old, then stumbled through my difficult (and very character defining) teenage years, discovered what a wonderful place college can be, and then fell for the man I would later marry, all in those nine years.

Flipping through the pages of the journals took me back and reminded me of what a surprise my life has turned out to be. I would never have guessed that I would be where I am now. It's quite a bit different than the plans I made when I was a little 18-year-old. I thought I was so wise then, but little did I know what was in store for me, namely a dashing young(ish) man named Dallin and a game of ultimate frisbee that would end up taking my life in a different direction that I planned.

My life has not turned out as I expected, and every day I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful for the prayers that were not answered the way I wanted, the life plans that fell through, and the unexpected changes that landed me where I am now. I know I owe my happiness to failed plans and letting myself take chances.

During lunch today, when I was snuggled up to that husband of mine with my head on his chest and our little son kicking in my belly, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Grateful to be here.

Here, with a husband that is my bestest friend and makes me happier every day.

At the Mesa Temple a couple months ago.

Here, with a wee man-child that we get to meet in about 13 short weeks.

26 weeks

Here, living a life that is perfect for me. 

I think this picture that I posted on Instagram a couple days ago sums life lately up pretty well.

Here's the caption:

"I wanted to take a "baby bump" picture and started moving all the clutter out of the frame, but then I realized that sometimes "clutter" tells a story. So... here I am with le bump wrapped in my favorite comfy sweater, paint samples/masking tape on the wall, the one closet door (of four) that has made it back upstairs since I refinished them, a bunk bed waiting to be moved downstairs, bags of baby clothes from my mom, and the ipad I was using to prepare tomorrow's seminary lesson. 

Life is messy and imperfect, but oh so good."

(Most of this was written yesterday but didn't have time to post it until today, just FYI)

5 happy thoughts

Because sometimes writing them down makes them come into my head, and if we're being honest there aren't very many happy thoughts in my head at the moment as I lay in bed grouchy, sick, and tired.

1. I will be sleeping in my own bed tonight! This babysitting gig has been (for the most part, as seen by my last post) easier and more fun than I was anticipating, but 10 days is a long time to live in someone else's house and it will be nice to get back to normal life.

2. I married a keeper. He really is the best. Patient, sweet, and always making me laugh. I can't believe he was crazy enough to want to marry this crazy goof of a redhead, but I'm sure glad he did!

3. One of the little girls in the family we've been watching loves to come up, pat my belly, and say, "Hi baby" several times a day. She is also really excited to find out whether it is a boy or girl (as am I!) and has made me promise to text her mom when I find out in a few weeks so she can tell her. It is adorable. I might have to sneak her home with us tonight. Her parents won't notice, right?

4. It's Friday! I get my husband all to myself for the next couple of days! Yippee!

5. My almost 2-year-old sister makes my little heart melt every time she tells me "Lah-loo" (Love you) on the phone. She is pretty stinking cute. (And I'm not biased or anything....)

Funny to look back at these happy thoughts and see exactly what is on my mind... sleep, husband, and babies/kids. Must be pregnant or something... eh? :)

On an unrelated note, you should watch this. And all the other Kid Snippets while you're at it, because they are hilarious. Almost as hilarious as listening to the youngest kid we are watching start quoting lines from it at random and then bust up laughing. THE BEST.



Happy Friday!

Exciting news!

Just in case you haven't heard the news already...

...we've got a bun in the oven, coming February 2014!

We're pretty dang excited. We've been looking forward to it for a while, but now that it is actually here it's kind of hard to believe that there's a mini human being hidden inside my expanding midsection. A MINI HUMAN BEING, GUYS. 

And you know what? That's kind of rad. 

Even if said mini human being likes to turn me into a narcoleptic. A constantly peeing, always hungry, emotional, sometimes nauseated, pimply, narcoleptic, hot mess of a woman that doesn't want to do anything but eat, sleep, and watch Parks and Rec/The Office/Monk (again) on Netflix. 

All day, erryday.

And yet, I'm feeling very, very happy and thankful to be able to take on this crazy adventure. This might be a little personal, but I wasn't entirely sure I would be able to have kids, so we're both feeling very blessed indeed. Here's to a healthy pregnancy!

Before I finish up I just have to say that I really, really got lucky when it comes to that husband of mine. Not only does he put up with sharing a house with a psycho pregnant lady, he has been taking such good care of me by doing dishes, making me food when my stomach is wonky, giving me extra snuggles when he can tell I'm feeling blue, teaching seminary for me today (oh yeah, I'm still teaching this semester!), and just being sweet, supportive, and wonderful in general. 
I'll keep him, I s'pose. ;)

We are cheeseballs. Also, thanks to my lovely mama for the pictures!

Life update

I feel like I haven't been posting much about life lately, besides trip reports and such. This might be because things are kind of... uneventful right now. Nonetheless, here is a brief report on the very exciting lives of the Mr. and Mrs. Durfinator household.

Dallin: 

• Brings home the bacon every day. Not literal bacon, unfortunately, but he provides me the moola to buy it and that's just as good  because we still get bacon just the same. And come on... who doesn't like bacon? (Answer: no one that isn't in denial.) On a more serious note, I really am thankful for Dallin and his good job. I'm especially thankful that I will be able to stay at home with our kids in the future. Very blessed. 
• Goes canyoneering when he/we can, which is pretty often. 
• Does a great job in the Spanish branch presidency. At least, I think he does. And I'm definitely not biased or anything. Also, the fact that I think it's really attractive when he speaks Spanish absolutely doesn't influence my opinion at all. Nope.
• Is the best husband I could have asked for. Really though, he's a keeper and I'm very lucky he was crazy enough to want to marry me.

Mikaela:

• Unemployed, at least for now. I'm finding that this has its perks, meaning I love having time to read, sew, and do what I want. I'm taking advantage of it since I know it won't last.
• Busy getting ready for seminary to start. We have a new curriculum that I am SO excited about. It is going to make things so much easier on me and I think it works with my teaching style much better than the old manuals. Also, 8 of the mastery scriptures are different... whaaaaat? 
• Trying to become a better pianist. In other words, I'm trying to add a few songs to the list of 5-6 that I know since I'm the pianist in the Spanish branch and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one that is getting tired of singing the same songs over and over and over. It's kind of hard though since I pretty much taught myself, meaning I stink. I am improving though, slowly but surely. Emphasis on the "slowly" part.
• Preparing to die during this weekend's heatwave. (I'm definitely not melodramatic or anything.) Living in the cool mountains my whole life has made me dread any temperatures over 95, and it will be well over that. Yes, I am a pansy, but seriously. I think the earth should have a temperature limit of 85 degrees max. Thank the heavens above for A/C... and popsicles.
• Goes canyoneering most of the time with Dallin. Not always though, because sometimes I wimp out on the really strenuous ones, especially when it is hot. (see above)

Even though things are fairly uneventful, life is good. Very good indeed. 

Roman theater ruins in Spain

A very attractive picture of us on our most recent adventure. We're pretty smoking hot.

A pearl beyond price

Today I re-watched this talk by Elder L. Whitney Clayton from General Conference and it got me thinking (again) about happiness and success in marriage. 

I've often wondered what happens to two people who seem(ed) so in love that causes them to lose that spark or even get divorced. Now that I am married, I find myself pondering more often about what the difference is between a happy marriage and an unhappy marriage. I never want us to lose that spark. We have made covenants to be faithful to each other for time and eternity, and that is really, really long time to spend with someone you don't adore, don't you think? I'm really thankful to be a member of the LDS church and to have grown up in a good family. Both of these things have helped me learn from a young age how to have a good marriage.

While there are many factors that can determine success of marriage, I believe the most important one is the mutual willingness to put your marriage and your spouse first. This means remembering that your marriage is special. It is precious. It should never be put on the back burner, not for any reason. It should always be your number one priority. 

Elder Clayton articulates my thoughts on this subject much better. Here's a quote from the talk I mentioned earlier:

"I have observed that in the happiest marriages both the husband and wife consider their relationship to be a pearl beyond price, a treasure of infinite worth. They both leave their fathers and mothers and set out together to build a marriage that will prosper for eternity. They understand that they walk a divinely ordained path. They know that no other relationship of any kind can bring as much joy, generate as much good, or produce as much personal refinement. Watch and learn: the best marriage partners regard their marriages as priceless." 

Those are wise words, and I know they are true. Never take your marriage or spouse for granted. Just as Elder Clayton said in his talk (which might be the most shared quote from conference!), marriage truly is a gift from God. Treat it like one.

(via)

Crockpot pesto ranch chicken {Pin a week 12/52}

Whoever invented the crockpot was a genius. I need to use ours more. For this week's pin, I tried out this recipe for pesto ranch chicken. 

Click here for original recipe

It really doesn't get much more simple than this, and it turned out really good! I did change it up a bit though. Instead of thighs, I used breasts. I also added some potatoes and chopped onion, and next time I think I'll throw in some freshly minced garlic. 

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day from your favorite ginger couple! ;)

Dallin busted out his green suit coat for church today... because how often does St. Patty's Day fall on Sunday? ;)

We like each other.

One year down, an eternity to go

Yesterday was our first anniversary! Believe it or not, my dear husband has managed to put up with living in the same house as me for an entire year... and I think he might even like me still. ;) 

(Photo by Mechelle Felsted)

(Photo by my lovely mama)

To celebrate, we went on a little weekend getaway last weekend, and then had a fancy candlelit dinner last night. Here's some pictures. 

Dallin is a master cheesecake maker. Yep, I'm lucky. :)

I also happen to think he is really cute, so I took quite a few pictures of him while he was making it. Be thankful I only posted a few. 

I didn't take very many pictures of us making dinner. We were both too hungry to think about that!

I'm thankful for our sweet blinds that made it dark enough for a candlelit dinner at 3 in the afternoon... haha. 

Purty!

Photo courtesy of our good friend... le self timer. :)

Awwww. 

We made Macaroni Grill's penne rustica for dinner. Time consuming, but so worth it. 

Fun fact: this is what Dallin made me on our first date. Apparently it worked. ;)

Cheesecake and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert. Oh, so good.

Man, do I love this guy. Maybe one day I'll figure out why he was crazy enough to marry me, but I'm sure glad he did. He's a keeper. :) 

Happy anniversary, darlin'! You're my favorite.

Warm weather, frisbees, and hot air balloons

Today was a beautiful day. Temperature in the 60s, sunny, beautiful, and perfect. I can't believe it's January. 

The weather was far too perfect to stay inside, so once my handsome husband got off work we went for a walk around the park. It's a good time to hold hands and talk and be cute 'n stuff. ;) Plus we get some much needed exercise. 

Did I mention it was perfect? :) I love Arizona. 

We threw the frisbee around for a few minutes too. We first met at an ultimate frisbee game so playing with him always brings back happy memories. :) I can't believe it's been more than 2 years since that chilly October night! I sure am glad I braved the cold. 

On our way back to the car, we spotted a red hot air balloon and I decided to be a crazy person and chase it. 

And guess what? I got lucky and found it just after it landed so I got to get a closer look at it and see them take it down! Here's some pictures. :)

There is something that intrigues me about hot air balloons. I cant imagine what it would be like to be in a little basket up in the sky at the mercy of the wind. I've flown in planes before, but I'm sure this is so different. I would love to ride in one someday, but then again just the thought of being one or two thousand feet above the ground makes me a little dizzy!

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is, but man, I sure do love evenings like this. I love being married to someone that is both my husband and my best buddy. I get to hang out with him every day and wake up next to his handsome face every morning, and that is just the bee's knees (whatever that means). ;) 

October (...Really?)

I really can't believe it is already October. The past few months have been flying by so quickly, probably since life in our neck of the woods has been pretty busy lately. Hence the lack of blog posts. (Like anyone really cares, but hey... leave my ego alone and let me pretend people actually read this :P)

Things are pretty crazy, but life is so good and I feel so blessed. The past few months have been full of lots of challenges -- the main ones being some health problems and juggling a very stressful job and my calling as a seminary teacher -- but I'm grateful to know how to handle them (thanks to the gospel and a good family) and for the opportunity it gives me to improve myself, gain some much-needed patience, and remember that I can't do everything on my own.

The good definitely outweighs that bad though, so let's talk about that instead. :) Seminary is going pretty well! Hopefully my students love coming to class as much as I love teaching it! They are such good kids and I'm really happy to get to teach them. I love that this calling requires so much preparation time since it kind of forces me to study and learn from the scriptures on a whole new, deeper level, and studying with the teaching mindset really helps me see things I might have missed otherwise. We're studying the New Testament this year and I've really, really enjoyed learning so much about my Savior and his life and example. The more I learn about him, the more I love him and appreciate what he did for me. Ah, the gospel is so true! I just love it.

I'm still working full-time at the same job... yup. On the bright side, I have a job. And I am not flipping burgers. Also, I know a lot more about cell phones than I ever thought I would, and just might be turning into a bit of a tech nerd. I'm fighting it though. Fighting hard. ;) It's pretty stressful, especially when I get chewed out all the time by customers who think I am the sole cause of their problems and also have the power to fix them, but oh well... I guess that's how it goes. Sometimes when they are yelling at me I just imagine that I am on a hammock hanging between two palm trees on a beach in Hawaii sipping on pineapple juice with that cute husband of mine. Of course, the nasty customer in question is the one serving me said pineapple juice and anything else my heart desires. Oh and is also giving me a foot massage while they're at it. You know why? Because my feet are extremely ticklish and I have the uncontrollable tendency to kick -- and kick HARD -- whenever someone just brushes my toes. I think you can see where I am going with this. ;)

Work and seminary are definitely the two main things going on in my life now. Y'know, besides being awesome with this guy.

Mystery Canyon

Mesa Temple

I know, I know... pretty much every single post ends with something sappy about that handsome husband of mine. I'll try not to be too nauseating, but seriously... he is awesome and it just keeps on getting better every day. I am really, really lucky blessed. :)

Totally unrelated, but this is awesome (Just like everything these guys do... I'm a big fan) so you should watch it. That's all.

He's a keeper

(Written Friday night)

Today was a particularly rough day at work.

I got cussed out a couple times by upset customers, even though none of their problems were my fault. I was on the phone with customer service for 2 straight hours, and that was just one of the many calls I made today. (I kind of hate customer service... Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.) I was so busy doing customer service stuff that I hardly sold anything, and since I earn most of my pay through commission that means I made hardly any money today. That's just the beginning too... lots of other things happened that I honestly don't even want to talk about. It was pretty bad.

Just after helping a particularly difficult customer, I noticed I had a message on my phone. It was the sweetest, sincerest little love note from my husband. He just wanted to let me know that he cares about me and that I mean so much to him. Yep, you are reading the blog of the luckiest girl in the world. :)

I'm so thankful for a husband that really, truly loves me and wants what is best for me. I'm thankful that he takes such good care of me and always puts our marriage first. I'm thankful that he is patient with me. I'm thankful that he is loyal. I'm thankful he is mine. 

I'm especially thankful that he is temple worthy so we could be married in the temple for time and all eternity. Really, I can't think of anything better than being with my best friend for ever and ever and ever and ever. 

Thanks to him, even the particularly rough days aren't so bad after all. :)

D-backs game

Mesa Temple

On set of the latest Weeber and Judd video. :) Ain't he handsome? 

Anyway, I think C.S. Lewis says what I'm trying to say the best:

"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever 

solid and durable happiness there is in our lives."

-C. S. Lewis

Happy birthday to us!

Our birthdays are just a few days apart, mine on May 31 and Dallin's on the 3rd.
It's fun to have them so close. :) Here's some pictures from the festivities. 

German chocolate cake... mmmmm. :)

I got an iPhone! It is pretty dang sweet! Of course, any phone is sweet in comparison with my old phone... :) It's been fun playing around with different apps and I love having a decent camera with me all the time. 

This is kind of a funny story. I briefly mentioned in passing several weeks ago this cute bike I had seen at Walmart. My wonderful husband took note and decided to get it for me for my birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't describe it very clearly (I wasn't thinking that he was going to get it or else I would have been more thorough :P) and this is the bike that he thought fit my description the best. It's kind of hard to tell in this picture, but it is quite a bit too small for me... haha. :) Wasn't that sweet of him though? He managed to buy it and stash it away without me knowing, and then got up in the middle of the night to put it in the dining room so I would see it when I got up. He is pretty much THE best. :) I was pretty sad when we returned it but it was way too small for me. 

Originally we were going to make pizza margherita for my birthday dinner, but we ended up going out too dinner with Dallin's parents so we made it the next night. It still tasted heavenly. Definitely my favorite... although I think I've made that pretty clear. ;) I think I take a picture every singe time and end up posting it on my blog or facebook since it is just so beautiful. Yes, I am obsessed. 

Being Mormon, turning 21 isn't as "exciting" as it would be if I drank. I am completely and totally okay with that, but I found it hilarious that this is the most exciting milestone I reached. 

I get to have a HORIZONTAL driver's licence? Thrilling! :)

I got Dallin the Millennium Falcon Lego set. Yes, I am the coolest wife ever. 

I really, really love this guy, mountain man beard and all. :)

Birthday dinner. :)

Well, that's about it. Happy birthday to us! :)