Being married & such

So now I'm an old married woman. It doesn't really feel much different, actually. And I am glad. I didn't want a vast difference; I didn't expect it. The difference is that everything is just amplified by sharing it with Kyle, and knowing we're really in this together. We're learning so much, or at least I am. There is so much to learn of selflessness, of true love, of communication, of what we really want and how to get there. It's a beautiful adventure.

Now you're probably wondering about the event itself. Well, our wedding day was wonderful. But what else could you expect? Started quite early, and we got stuck in some nerve-wracking traffic, but that's about as far negative as you get. Our sealing was so special- my dad even cried. :) We had so many friends and some wonderful family to share the day with. We even got a little Seattle sprinkling when we first got out of the temple (wouldn't be home without it, right?). Our photographer was awesome (see below), the luncheon was delectable and perfect, it didn't rain on our reception... I could go on forever.

I am so grateful for everyone who came, who helped, who were by our sides throughout the process. My heart bursts with happiness knowing how many wonderful people I know and get to be friends and family with! What a blessing to get started with such an abundance of love and support and example.

I'm sure I am still quite blissfully new to all of this and things will change a bit, but I am excited to keep learning and doing everything I can to keep life and love vibrant. Already I have seen so much more beauty and variety in Kyle than I ever knew before. Marriage is such a blessing. The temple is amazing. There is definitely a power in our relationship now that was not there before. That is why I have all the faith, hope, and optimism in the world.

(Thanks to Angie Penrose for our beautiful photos! When we get the rest, you'll see them. Don't even worry.)

priori T's

Recently I've been pondering on priorities. Partly because of looming decisions, but I think mostly because of that constant struggle to try and reach the bottom of the To-Do List and never quite getting there.

Well, I started to think, I know I cannot do everything, but I sure make myself feel like I need to. Why is this? Why can't I just be happy doing the best I can? I know I am doing the things that I know matter most, right?

That's when it hit me. Have I ever really fleshed out what my personal priorities are? I know in general what is good from parents and church, but what do I really believe? If I know this, I know by what standard to judge my efforts and will most likely be more satisfied with my efforts.

So I sat down and figured out, in general, what value I place on various aspects of my life (e.g. family relationships, school, personal development, etc) and in what order I would rank these categories. It's still a work in progress, but it was interesting to set up. How liberating to put down on paper what is important to me so that I do not feel guilty when judging my own actions by external criteria. I can be okay with not getting to the laundry or even doing some reading if I indeed was using my time according to my personal value system.

This is not to say that standards set by family rules or religion are unnecessary; quite to the contrary, they provide us with truth and principles of happiness to gain testimony of for ourselves (this takes effort, struggling, honesty, and heartfelt prayer--but if we seek, we will find what is true and real for ourselves). I feel it is important for each person to live according to his or her own conscience, holding ourselves accountable internally so that we can then be truly accountable to others.

Now, this may make sense only in my head. But I felt the urge to jot it down, maybe just so I can stumble on it later.

Temple grounds + camera

I took these over a week ago, but I am so grateful for temples! I am so grateful for the work done in them that makes forever families possible.

It was sort of funky weather so the sky was bright but colorless... I am still learning how to edit and what I like. I'm not sure about these.

And I am so thankful for a camera to capture so many things with. It brings me so much joy. Today I get to do another photo shoot and I am sooooo excited. Also nervous.

A foggy day in Provo town

After my morning run I couldn't help myself... I had to bike back up with my camera :) Beautiful morning.

Day 54

We also went to Temple Square briefly before they left. It was so great to have them here!!