mini hUman

Today, most every blogger is writing about all of their biggest accomplishments or the greatest things that have happened to them in the year 2012, and it got me thinking about my 2012 year. And the only thing I can think about is this tiny little person growing inside my belly. That's it. Just this little baby "it". So there you go, our "greatest thing" for the year 2012 is being blessed to receive one of God's children.

 

Not too bad if you ask me.

 

 

 

my grandma's front pOrch



I am who I am because of you.

I'll remember this day forever.

normal is not mY normal

It's okay to be different.

It's okay to like out of the norm things.

It's okay to be your own.

I think one of the greatest discoveries one can make is realizing their own opinions and joys, and through that realization, knowing that those opinions and joys are perfect, regardless of what every individual is forcing into their mind..

For the longest time I had this mindset that a wife was supposed to be a certain way. She had to decorate her house with nice things that were adult like. She had to cook every meal and do the laundry faithfully. She must iron the clothes, especially the husband's church shirts. She must dress like an adult and shop at Christopher & Banks, and she MUST have a 'normal' haircut with a 'normal' color. She must grow older and as she grows older, she must take on the form of every other older lady. 

While a lot of these things are great and a necessity of living, it took me a long time to figure out that it's okay to do them in my own way.

I don't like adult-like houses with perfect decorations. I like messy and creative and colorful.

I forget to cook and I constantly forget about the laundry until there are no clothes left.

Why would I iron when I have a dryer that works just great?

And 'normal' hair color? Yeah right.

I don't want my life and my future families life to form to the norm of society. 

I want my little ones to have ideas and opinions.

I want them to know they can express those creative opinions and make their own life into something wonderful, something that isn't what everyone says to be right, but something that is their own.

I hope that their little minds won't be stuck inside the lines.

I think that everyone's uniqueness is what makes this world so wonderful.

It took me a while to realize that my different opinions are what make me awesome. 

No, I won't be the socially accepted 'normal' wife that many people expect me to be, and I probably won't be the 'normal' mother either. But I will do things in my own way and make my own kind or normal which will be wonderful.

And in my opinion, that is perfectly okay.

thanKs, love

dear Better Half,

Thank you for taking care of me while my face looked like a blow fish on account of the dentist removing all my wisdom.

Thank you for taking time off of work so you could drive me home since I was too drugged to decipher the difference between my tongue and the gauze inside my mouth.

Thank you for picking up my medication and buying all the jell-o, pudding, and soup I could ask for.

  also,Thanks for remembering that I like vanilla pudding more than chocolate. That just would have been an unneeded attack of emotions. 

Thank you for changing my disgusting gauze every twenty minutes and even checking the clock to make sure it had actually been twenty minutes. 

Thank you for running to your parents house to get ice (more than once) and making sure I had some on my face at all times. 

Thanks for telling me I looked beautiful and NOT swollen, even though I was.

Thanks for preparing all of my meals for me and wiping the tomato soup off of my chin because I was too numb to feel its presence. I know you'll take care of me when I'm old and senile and can't remember how to feed myself.

Thank you for letting me sleep all day and waiting patiently by my side to make sure I was alright. I'm sorry I fell asleep in every single movie we watched and you had to practically watch alone. I know those weren't the funnest days for you, but thanks for staying by my side.

Thank you for calling me when you went back to work just to make sure I was taking my medicine and felt alright. Some days I wonder how I even survived this life without you. 

Thank you for never once complaining about all of the money we have been forced to spend on my ridiculous teeth lately and for calming me down when I start to freak out about it myself

And most importantly, thank you for giving me that Priesthood blessing last night. 

You said everything I needed to hear.. 

Thank you for being worthy of that, and for portraying every good quality of a man of God.

You are my everything Steven Jon Warby.

I'm so glad you picked me.

I love you.

love, your sweetheart

future hoMe consisting of sunny skies, blue ocean, & sandy trousers

WoooooooOOOw.

I have not been able to blog. Really, guys. SO much has been happening that I don't even know where to start. And honestly, the main reason I have this little blog is so Steven with a 'v' and myself can remember these splendid days. Having you people read (or skim.. (guilty)) is definitely a bonus. I love reading the sweet comments you leave. Even though I'm not that 16,532 follower blog, (or even 22..ha.haha) getting even one comment from you sweet folk just seems to brighten my day. Just thought I'd let you know. So.. thanks!

Back to remembering the splendid days part. 
For starters:
Back in May, we went to Hawaii. 
See?



Goal:  Live in Hawaii for at least one full year with my sweetheart.

continue alWays

Lately it seems like so many people are going through trial after trial. Even I myself have found a few bumps in the road that to be honest are hardly bumps at all, but still, I have been left to wonder why? 

I know we are put on this earth to go through hard times to become better, but it seems like those people who experience something very trying and rise above it are only met with another blow that shatters their world all over again.

As Steve and I ate lunch today, I was explaining my "frustration" to him.

To be honest, I said I didn't know if I could have the amount of faith I needed to get through. If I was giving it my everything all the time but things continued to down spiral, I'll be the first to admit I would probably wonder if God really was there. 

And then, I came across this blog by a girl named Al Fox. 

It's about continuing. Continuing ALWAYS.

  She makes the comment: 

 "Those times when we are convinced, even just for a moment, that Heavenly Father  has left us crying out what Joseph Smith and Christ themselves felt to cry out, 'Oh God...Where art thou?', are the exact moments where He is the closest with us."

  "Not a single heartache, not a single trial will be wasted or go unnoticed. You will never be asked to do anything that will not be the absolute best for you."

This is exactly what I needed to hear. 

Heavenly Father will never leave us. And even in those extremely difficult times when we truly do wonder, 'Oh God...Where art thou?' He is the closest He has ever been.

So whatever is happening in your life, continue. Things will work out. You are NOT forgotten. 

 

oNe year & ten days



That's right, one year of marriage.

I'm still so madly in love with this Mr. And it just keeps growing.  

Did I mention we are at the Hawaii Temple in this pic? 

No biggie.



because it's impOrtant

I have worked with some pretty amazing people during my college years who have influenced my life greatly. 

I have always valued their opinion and maybe a little too often would ask for it in certain situations. 

One particular conversation has stuck with me however and I feel it's so applicable to every one's life that I would share it.

One of my bosses has been through an awful lot in her life. When I imagine going through the things she has had to, I honestly don't know if I could do it, let alone with the amount of class and poise she demonstrates. Her life is still full of trails and heartbreak; just like every single one of us.

When I asked her how she does it, she said:

"Sometimes you just have to pray every 15 minutes that you'll make it through the next 15 minutes."

It's so simple but yet, so powerful.

I don't know the personal struggles some of you might be facing, but I do know that you don't have to face them alone. 

I know from personal experience that if you ask, Heavenly Father will lighten the sting and heartache of what you might be feeling; big or small.

So get on your knees and pray. Every 15 minutes if you have to.

"...the strait and narrow path, though clearly marked, is a path, not a freeway nor an escalator. Indeed, there are times when the only way the strait and narrow path can be followed is on one's knees!"
--Neal A. Maxwell

dear mOm-

 Dear mom,

Remember when I was little and you would french braid my long hair and poof up my bangs?

 I would always wine about how it hurt, but honestly, I loved every hair pull when I saw the beauty of the final product.

 Remember how Randi and I wanted to cut that long hair but you refused to let us for the longest time until one Sunday morning you surprised us by taking us into the bathroom and cutting it yourself? 

I still remember how happy that made me.

Remember when I was in first grade and I came home crying after school one day because Travis teased me about my freckles?

You told me that my freckles were angel kisses and he was just jealous. 

Remember when you made us go to church every week and I asked you one day if church ever took a break like school did? You laughed and said no.

Thank you for instilling the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and telling me every chance you got that I am a daughter of God.

  Remember when we would take those trips to Provo just to go shopping? Or our annual 7-Peaks trip with the Hooper's? 

I looked forward to those trips like I looked forward to Christmas.

Remember when you would bake a big batch of cookies only to tell us it wasn't for us but for a family that needed it more at the time?

Thank you for teaching me how to give everything of myself to those in need.

Remember when I grew older, started playing high school sports, and became an expensive child with shoes, jerseys, team shirts, fundraisers, and bus trips to pay for? 

Thanks for giving me the money to do what I loved.

Remember when I didn't always get a long with some of my coaches?

Thanks for always being on my side and supporting me when I needed it the most.

Remember when I turned sixteen and I wanted a new car so bad?

Thank you for not giving it to me. Thank you for teaching me that I needed to work for those things I wanted. It made the day I bought my own car so much better.

Remember when I thought I knew everything and you knew nothing?

I was wrong, entirely.

Remember when I would gripe and complain to no end because you made me clean my room, the bathroom, vacuum the stairs, weed the garden, fold the laundry, dust the living room, do the dishes, mow the lawn, and spray off the carport? And then make me do it again because I didn't do it right?

Thank you for teaching me not only how to clean, but how to clean right.

Remember when I would buy clothes that needed alterations in some way or another?

Thank you for sewing almost every piece of clothing I own so it fit. (Even still)

Remember when I would go out with my friends at night and you would wait up for me?

Thanks for talking to me about my night when I got home and making sure I was safe.

Remember when I went away to college and life was completely different? 

Thanks for always calling me to catch up and making sure I was okay.

Remember when I epically failed one of my tests in my Natural Hazards class and I called you crying hysterically?

Thanks for listening to me and telling me everything would work out. It did.

Remember the day I called and told you about Steven? Remember how that was the same day you bought me that ring that says 'Nothing is impossible'?

I will wear it forever.

I think you knew before I did that I was going to marry him. Mother's really do just know.

Remember my wedding day and how you did everything in your power to make it the best day of my life? And how you wore our matching purple ring?

Thank you for remembering our special rings, and for wearing it that day. It WAS the best day of my life.

Thank you for always being there to answer my silly wife questions and validate my feelings.

Thank you for making me who I am today, mom.

Thank you for always loving me no matter what.

Thank you for building bits of you inside of me.

And even though it scares me to death to think about having children of my own and raising them in this crazy world, thank you for showing me how to be a wonderful, loving, patient, kind, humble, and caring mother.

I love you momma.
You mean the world to me.

coWboy up

So Steve and I were FINALLY able to visit the family in Aurora this weekend and we definitely picked the right weekend to go.

 For those of you who don't know, my family is a farmin' family.

Born and raised cowgirl right here.

My lovely husband on the other hand, is not.

He is often the target of many jokes when he walks in wearing flip flops and shorts because honestly, I have never even seen my own father wear anything but wranglers. 

But one of the wonderful things about Steve is that he takes these types of things very well and plays a long. 

Back to my point.

This weekend was the annual 15 mile cattle drive and Steve and I both went.

This was only Steve's second time on a horse and for riding 15 miles, HE WAS A CHAMP.

We even got him in chaps and boots. (Hottie, right?)

Not many people will jump so far out of their element and do it with a smile but that is definitely one of the things I love most about Steve.

He knew it was important to me so he "saddled up."

He truly is a gem.

I've got to be honest, I was a little worried about my riding skills from being away from home for so long AND being put on a horse that my dad warned me might buck...

Rest assured however, I managed to stay on top of the horse instead of under it.

Although we are both a little sore, It was definitely a good time.

To anyone who has never ridden a horse before: Put it on your bucket list. 

You won't regret it. 

 

 

chanGe: something made different

Many of us are probably experiencing the above title word. This time of year brings graduations, moves, and brand new beginnings for many people. At least those of you who are poor college married folk like us. Usually, I'm all for the change, when I benefit from it of course. (So selfish, I know. Call me human.)

However..

This ending semester brought the change that I have been dreading for quite some time.

You see, I know these two pretty amazing chica's. 

                     
Tonya (aka:teets)
<-------




                    


            -------->
   Kenzie(aka:Kenz/T)

Beautiful, right?

I met Tonya through work two years ago.

I met Kenzie when we were little tikes. Known her forever.

Kenzie and I came to SUU together. A lot of people told us we shouldn't be roommates because we would end up hating each other. 

 We didn't listen, and I'm glad we didn't. We became closer than we had ever been before.

Tonya and I obviously haven't known each other our whole lives, but to me it honestly feels like we have. 

When you are working in an office with only one other person for eight hours a day for an entire summer, you really get to know them. 

To be honest, I probably spent more time with her than most people. We would truly talk about everything and anything.

But to get to the point, these two ladies have had a huge impact in my life. 

They've been here in Cedar City ever since I have, so the thought of them not being here is like Ellen Degeneres without humor. It's just wrong.

BUT
Life has a way of continuing to carry on and despite my efforts, these two have left Cedar City.. for good.

Tonya turned into an adult and graduated and Kenzie moved on to bigger and better things.


To say I am happy for them would be an understatement. 
These two deserve the very best and I'm glad they are livin' their dreams so to speak. 
And although I HATE not being able to have them here with me, I'm simply grateful for the memories.

So anyone reading this, don't forget to BE WHERE YOU ARE and live everyday with the ones who 'tickle your fancy'. Because before you know it, change will happen and some of the greatest humans you know will be moving away. 

So, Teets and T, thanks for being awesome and changing me for the better. I love and miss you both more than I miss LOST & One Tree Hill ;)

One last thing: If there are any single male readers or you know of any out there who have qualities resembling Captain Moroni, you should know... these two are single. Get goin'. 

oH life and her lessons

Life has taken an interesting turn for the sk-Warby family.

1. We have decided to move from our cupboard-less, half walls of a house and venture into a completely different world consisting of an actual bath tub and full length walls. What will we do with all of this luxury? 

However, this unknown world I speak of won't exactly be available until the twenty-fifth day of May. This would be wonderful if we didn't have to be out of our current humble abode on the tenth day of May. (There should be a law saying it's illegal to have someone move out on their birthday. They should get AT LEAST a fifteen day advanced living quarters for that.)

So... currently, we will be homeless for precisely fifteen days.

No worries though. Luckily we have AMAZING family that has offered their living space and bathroom facilities so generously.

Steve says it doesn't really matter where we stay as long as we're together.

I believe him.

2. And since being homeless for two weeks wasn't exciting enough, our car decided it wanted to add to the adventure.

When we were being good little family members and driving to Richfield for my cousin Jaren's Benefit Auction, our beautiful little baby Stef (that's what we call her) decided she wanted to overheat.

The results:

A blown gasket

Cracked thermostat housing

(and the kicker) a warped or possibly cracked head

Translation: $$$$$

It may be time for us to retire our baby Stefani, (you know, like Gwen Stefani) and get an actual legit adult car that has automatic windows and door locks. 

Call me a baby, but it makes me really sad to think about getting rid of this car. I'm realizing I get way too attached to things, making this transition a dreaded one.


BUT, thus is life. 

And even though we have a lot of changes; some annoying, some sad, and some dreaded, coming in the next few weeks, we still know we are extremely blessed to have these new experiences and life lessons. 


AND even though I'm mean and ornery about our situation sometimes, I'm glad God knew to send me Steven. 

He keeps us both, sain and happy.


So all in all, life is definitely 'going' for us, and we are well!

 

hoPe

This past semester I have been interning at Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center and I have grown to love the place as well as the people in it. This Friday they had a fundraiser at many of the local restaurants and I was lucky enough to be a host at the lovely Costa Vida.

To be honest, it was extremely awkward standing/sitting around for three hours while I waited patiently for people to come in before I would pounce and inform them about our fundraiser and how much we appreciated them coming.  

Some people gave me the "I really couldn't care less what you have to say" look,

and others gave me the nod but at least humored me long enough to hear my spill,

and my favorite kind, the people who actually cared and were interested in our cause.

To you people, THANK YOU.

Thank you for having a kind heart

Thank you for not making me feel like a crummy host

and THANK YOU for actually donating money.

It's beautiful people like you that make the world awesome.

So I thank you, and CCWCC thanks you!

Also, a sidenote, while I was sitting/standing looking all awkard and such, my wonderful Steven with a 'V' came and sat with me for the last hour because he knew I felt like a weirdy. Who couldn't love him?

For that, he received this:

Life is good people. Donate your dollars!!

walkS..

Yesterday I came home from my internship and Steven said we needed to go on a walk, so we went. 

I asked him why we were going on a walk and he said, "Because I know you like them and i've decided I don't take you enough... and because it's a beautiful day."

I did contemplate bringing the camera to capture the small moment.. but I decided against it. Need to be more in the moment, you know?

So we walked and talked about each others day.

He picked me a dandelion. I kept it.

Feeling very blessed.

it's these simple days that i want to remember foreVer..

Today is a good day.

It's one of those days when you enter your house and find your husband doing the dishes but when he notices you are home he seizes the moment and stops to give you the beautiful x&o.

It's the kind of day that you've been wishing for for weeks. A free night to do whatever the two of you choose.

We chose to do laundry and watch the Aristocats.
The laundry part didn't even matter because we both were just...there. 

The Mr. also chose to cook dinner....

yes, today is a gooood day.