home sweet home

OK, I know I've been MIA this last week but working overtime and moving is not a very productive combo for blogging. Many of you have asked where we moved - well, brace yourselves . . . 5 miles away into my parent's house. It's going to be a huge adjustment for all of us but it will be a great blessing in the long run. David graduates in less than a year now and we plan on buying a home (somewhere outside of AZ - READ: San Diego) once he's done. As much as we would love to buy a house right now in this craptastic market that we live in, it would not put us in a good situation to sell once he graduated since we're both determined to live outside of this very hot state. (FYI: It's nearly impossible to sell a house in AZ right now). Moving in with my parents was not ideal, but it will be so helpful to save money and also really fun for us since we love my parents.

In any case, our garage sale was a success except for a stupid lady that said she wanted to buy the sofa and then after we held it for her all day, she decided that she didn't want it anymore. In the mean time, 7 people offered to buy it. We're very mad. So, if anyone's looking for a very comfortable, 1 1/2 year old, slipcovered, inexpensive sofa let me know. We're selling it for $250 and it has to go this week.

I have so much to blog about! I didn't even get to brag about the gifts David got me for Mother's Day, the new "interior design" project I got to do for work or all the moving fiascos. I need to document all this stuff. For now, I'm mostly reminiscing about the home that we've loved for the last year and a half.
When David and I were engaged, we looked around the Phoenix Valley for a place to move into when we got married. Several apartment complexes later, we were both discouraged by the ridiculous price for such crummy places. No yard, noisy neighbors, small spaces, very little parking and absolutely no painting are just a few reasons to not live in an apartment if you have a chance. After a small miracle, David's uncle graciously gave us a killer deal on his 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in the right location as a favor to us. We were thrilled. David spent the week before our wedding painting the whole house the perfect colors that I had picked out. We lovingly changed toilet seats, planted flowers, pulled weeds, trimmed bushes and all kinds of other little projects. It's sad to move from the place where we began our marriage but we look forward to creating more memories with children in the next place.

TOP TEN THINGS I'LL MISS ABOUT THE HOUSE
10. The wood shutters that David and his dad put on every window in the house.
9. My white, painted headboard in the bedroom. 8. The orange trees next door at the church that smelled divinely of blossoms and the smell of irrigation from the ditch.
7. Living walking distance to Superstition Ranch Market.
6. How quiet it was (Senior Community surrounded us).
5. The vines that grew around our bedroom window and surrounded the entire front of the house. 4. The water pressure of the master bathroom shower (just right).
3. Our duck (she has 7 eggs now!)
2. The faded olive green exterior paint contrasted by the front door that I painted dark blue. 1. Having a place to come home to that was our own. A place to relax and talk and love with no distractions. Goodbye Little House. We love you!

{a few favorites}

Today . . . meet my husband, if you haven't already. I really love these pictures of him. I have a lot of favorites but I wanted to expound on why these few are special to me.

1. This picture perfectly encapsulates David because a) it was taken at the beach and he lives for the beach b) because he is tan (way, way tan) and it's disgusting how tan he is c) because his hair is blonde, curly and total "surfer" (which he is and always will be) d) because he is wearing a Rip Curl sweatshirt and loves Rip Curl more than any other kind of clothing - except maybe Vineyard Vines or Brooks Brothers. When I met David, he still had this summer tan and I was drawn to his bright blue eyes and charming smile (see picture). Even though I was on a semi-date with his friend, we immediately hit it off. A week later, I politely told his friend "No thanks." and David politely asked his friend "Do you mind?" and the rest is history.
2. Getting engaged is probably on just about everyone's "favorite memories" list but I think mine is the best. I love that I was surprised when he proposed. I love that I was worried that he would never propose. I love that that morning I had cried to my sisters about it. I love that we went on a walk late at night at my dad's ranch and I couldn't see a thing. I love that he kneeled on the hay of my dad's barn while my heart skipped several beats. I love that David cried and I giggled (a lot). I love that his voice cracked when he called his parents. I love that the next morning we burned our names into the wooden post next to where he proposed and I love that I'll always have the memory each time I go to my dad's ranch.
3. We love La Jolla. We love it A LOT. So, of course, we took our engagement pictures there! My amazing brother flew in from Seattle and we took off to the La Jolla coves and Point Loma where he proceeded to take several great shots. This isn't the one that we used for our invitations but I love it just the same. This picture is special to me because I remember thinking how happy I was when my brother was taking the pictures. I didn't have to pretend to smile and that was a great feeling.
4. I love this picture because I have no doubt that David was whispering something funny in my ear and making me laugh. He's really good at that. I also love it because this wasn't our "first dance" - it was just a dance. No one was watching. No one really even cared all that much. It felt so intimate in this group of people around us. Talking, mingling, eating. I love this picture because it reminds me of that night and how I felt so excited about every little thing. My heart didn't beat at a normal rate all evening. Mostly, I love this picture because it was the day that we were sealed together forever and nothing will ever top that.
5. David really wants to own a boat someday. I'm not talking about a cheap fishing boat or even a decent skiing boat. I'm talking a yacht. Like, a several thousand dollar yacht. He wants to retire and sail around the world with me while stopping at fine places like Greece so we can eat delicious food, walk around the city and then sail away on our next adventure. I'm fine with this dream. Maybe someday, Sweetie. I love this picture because it was taken in Hawaii for our 1st anniversary. I love the colorful sails in the background, the serious look on David's face and how his chest is somewhat puffed up with pride. Most of all, I love how when he realized that I was taking the picture, he got somewhat embarrassed and gave me a goofy smile. Secretly though, he loves this picture too.

I married a very, very, very sexy man.

{a very long engagement . . . but not really}

DOES SHE LOOK THRILLED OR WHAT? I'm so happy that my dear friend, M (see previous post) got engaged last night! At 9:30 p.m., I got the following text message: "March 5th 9:30 p.m. Steve + Michelle = Engaged!" The text message resulted in an obnoxious phone call from me to her while I incessantly screamed into the mouthpiece, "YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA". It was MOST annoying for all involved but absolutely necessary. I am delighted, to say the least.

I got some of the juicy details about how he proposed (very romantic and clever and soooooo them) while I had a BIG grin on my face. I'm pretty sure she'll be sharing most of the story on her blog tomorrow. Make sure you wish her congratulations here! Tell her I sent you.

{the many faces}

When you're trying to take a picture of yourself and your husband, it's really annoying when he'll only make these kinds of fake smiles. However, I love that man.

Life is so good.

We are going to spend the whole weekend in bed . . . cause that man is getting a cold! Sicko.

I'm tagging myself on this one for fun:

Basics

1. Who is your man?

David Robert Bryant

2. How long have you been together?

2004 (break), 2005 - 2007: 2ish years

3. Dating/Engaged/Married?

Started dating my first week at BYU-I. He dumped me after a month. Awful. We were "friends" (if you know what I mean) for about a year and then got back together in December of 2005. We dated until we got engaged on August 4, 2006 and got married on November 3, 2006.

4. How old is your man?

25

You or your man?

1. Who eats more?

Probably him but it's different. He likes "real food" and I like treats. I will only eat a few bites of dinner if I have to stay my appetite for dessert. He doesn't care for dessert so he'll eat food to his heart's content.

2. Who said "I love you" first?

Him, the second time we dated. I told him that I didn't want to kiss another guy until I knew that it was going to be pretty serious (a.k.a. when we said "I love you"). We were constantly telling each other that we "like" each other and then one day we were cuddling and I said, "I like you a lot" and he looked at me and said, "I love you".

3. Who weighs more?

Him. He's pretty huge-like (height and muscle) and if I ever weigh more than him, I will kill myself.

4. Who sings better?

Um, me. But I love it when he sings. He just needs to practice. P.S. He is begging me to try out for American Idol but there is no way I will do so if even Emily didn't make it. (How did this happen?)

5. Who's Older?

Him. Almost exactly 2 years.

6. Who's smarter?

Math and Logic: Him
English and Reading: Me

7. Who's temper is worse?

TOTALLY mine. I've never seen him lose his temper. I doubt he knows how.

8. Who does the laundry?

Me. He swears he "doesn't know how". I don't mind though.

9. Who does the dishes?

Him. I know that we'll never go to bed with a sink of dirty dishes because of him.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?
I don't know. Which side is the right side? I sleep by the side not next to the wall. I can't handle it.

11. Who's feet are bigger?

His! Ew!

2. Who's hair is longer?

Mine (snicker). He's a little bald, bless his heart.

13. Who's better with the computer?

Definitely me.

14. Who pays the bills?

Usually me since he's going to school and only works part time. We use my bank account for bill paying anyway.

15. Who cooks dinner?
Me.

17. Who drives when you are together?

Him.

18. Who pays when you go out to dinner?

It depends on who has the money. We have separate bank accounts. Weird?

19. Who's the most stubborn?

Me.

20. Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong?

Me, but a lot of times it's really sarcastic and I do it just to bug him. I'm a bad wife.

21. Who's parents do you see more?

This summer it was his all the way in California, but now that my parents are home from their mission, mine.

22. Who kissed who first?

Neither of us remember our "first kiss" the "first time" we dated but it was before our first date. Our first kiss the "second time" we dated was right after he said "I love you". It was pretty funny actually because he told me later that he mostly just said "I love you" because he knew I wouldn't kiss him unless he said it. Trixy.

23. Who asked who out?

Him, I think.

24. What did you do?

We went to Idaho Falls and walked along the water by the Temple and talked. Then we went to dinner and I had Calamari for the first time. Afterward, we took a blanket to a beautiful spot by the Falls and made out. Awesome.

25. Who's more sensitive?

TOTALLY me. I cannot stress the "TOTALLY" enough. He has cried twice since I've known him.

1) When he proposed, he cried like a baby. I just giggled.

2) When we got married, he was crying pretty hard too. I didn't shed a tear.

26. Who's taller?

Him: 6'4"
Me: 5'6"
You do the math.

27. Who is more indecisive?

Me, unless we're deciding where to go or what to eat because he is always saying, "Whatever you want, baby".

28. Who has more siblings?

Me, by a long shot, at 10. Him, 2.

29. Who wears the pants in the relationship?

I think it's probably kind of even. He says that I "try" to wear the pants but that he's actually the one who does. I secretly agree.

30. Who has the best husband ever?

How (and why) would I say anyone else??? Are you crazy? My husband is the bomb!

I have been married for 272 days. That means that I only have 93 days to plan our 1 year anniversary to Hawaii!

You know how they say "time flies when you're having fun"? Well, this year has been the longest year of my life . . . but I'm not saying I didn't have fun. This 1 year has seemed like 5.

I feel like I've changed so much over the last 272 days. Every day, I learn something new about myself or David. One day I'll learn that I'm a lot more patient than I give myself credit for. The next day I'll learn that I hurt my adorable husband when I ask him to snuggle with me when I know he needs his space. The next day I'll learn that I am horrible at making homemade bread when I so desperately want to be. The next day I'll learn that, even though I can't make a decent loaf of bread, I'm still a good wife because I'm trying. The next day I'll learn that this time in my life is a perfect time to become good at the things that I want to master before I'm a mother (i.e. sewing). The next day I'll learn that being in the temple with my husband solves practically everything. The next day I'll learn that I make my husband so happy when I make him dinner and gush with love for him when he insists that he does the dishes while I relax. The next day I'll learn that my husband wishes I was more athletic and I'll work hard to learn how to play volleyball (still working on that one). The next day I'll learn where to buy the cheapest produce. The next day I'll learn how to wake up a few minutes before David so I can start cooking the steel cut oatmeal before he gets in the shower. After all those days of learning, a month has usually gone by and I'll have my monthly breakdown (if you know what I mean) about something ridiculous and then I'll learn, very slowly, that every time I have those "breakdown" moments it tears me down inside and only I can control that. The next day (or after about 3) I'll learn that everything is fine and that my David still loves me and that life goes on.

I have been married for 272 days and it has been awesome.

What have you learned in your days or year(s) of marriage?

I'm getting married today. WOW!

It will be a few days until I post stuff cause
we're going on our honeymoon for a week so 'til then . . .

Au Revoir to Miss Elizabeth Nielson!