PERFECT.

My friend from my ward posted this quote today on facebook, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. It really spoke to me, and it totally put patience into perspective for me.  

Originally from an Ensign article in 1980 by Elder Maxwell, but quoted in a talk during General Conference a few years ago by Robert C. Oaks.  Read the whole talk here. I can't express enough love and gratitude for latter-day prophets and apostles, scriptures, and this wonderful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I belong to. 

THE REAL DEAL

DISCLAIMER: I'm sorry in advance for the long post, but since this is a form of journalism for me, I need it on here.  Also, we really are so happy and love this time in our lives!  (It's still hard sometimes...you know how it is).

It's been one of those weeks...and this week I've felt a little bit lonely.  Most of the time living in Alabama is so so good for both Gordy and I individually as well as together.  Every once in a while though, for some reason that doesn't really make sense, it becomes a little bit hard (or harder).  

The life of a graduate student is rigorous! People often comment to G how they don't know how he does it all and quite honestly, he does it with a heck of a lot of hard work. That's the first thing I loved about Gordy--his work ethic. 

 (I have to admit that I do love G's reply to people's comments though because he always attributes it to me supporting him and caring for him.  I am sure that I help (we're a team), but really he is amazing on his own).  

I sometimes feel that we paint a semi-realistic view of what his graduate school is really like with everything fun that we do. Sure, sure he is simultaneously completing two master's degrees, tending to class president duties, working 20 hours a week, and is very involved with his church calling. (Depending on the time of year he also coaches youth hockey. And I'm not even going to talk about residency search and preparation right now...) 

So what do our lives really look like a majority of the time? 

G's looks like homework until midnight or later every night, required night classes, constant group projects, constant emails, never having free time but neglecting/postponing to-do's to spend time together, (unfortunately) not-so-uncommon days where we don't see each other for 12+ hours at a time (that's half the day people!), quick study breaks for dinner together at 9 pm when G gets home from class, and just a general feeling of tiredness.  I'm pretty sure G comes home everyday and says, "I'm tired," haha and I sure don't blame him! 

^^But look how cute he is!!! HELLO HANDSOME!

 Right after he became Class President.^^

My days look like school online basically all day every day (literally from when I wake up until I go to bed at night, unless I nanny that day).  This means that I am home alone staring at my computer screen for the majority of my day.  Since I am such a social person, this can get pretty wearing on me. However, G always makes sure to spend time with me and give me attention every day and week.  He is so attentive to my needs and I'll always love him for that.  I honestly love this man so much and am so proud of everything he is doing! 

Sometimes on these hard weeks I need feelings (or foods that bring feelings) of comfort.  This week, I patiently waited for my bananas to brown so that I could make some much-needed banana bread.  Tonight I deemed they were perfect for making into bread so I whipped up some banana bread faster than ever! As I was cleaning the kitchen, I started to smell it.  Excitedly, I glanced at the timer and realized that there were still 30 minutes left of baking time! (Noooooo).  haha.  But it was fine because I thought to myself, "I don't know of any smell better than homemade banana bread baking in your oven."  So I patiently and happily waited for the time to run out.  After I pulled the bread out of the oven, I noticed that it looked different. After tasting it, I realized that I forgot the sugar.  THE SUGAR!!!! I have never forgotten an ingredient in all my years of baking! hahahahaha. I started laughing, because after all...it has been one of those weeks. 

^^ See how weird it looks? ^^

(Sorry that we threw you away banana bread, but you really didn't taste very good).

So I filled the void with some Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate ice cream like any normal person would do.  Blue Bell is definitely one of the perks of living in the South! 

WE'RE GETTING WHAT?!

We were completely surprised when we found out we were getting one new niece/nephew in November, but our excitement and shock tripled when we found out we would be getting THREE new little ones in the fam in November.  (So crazy! We still kind of can't believe it!) G and I have four nieces--two on each side of the family, but the numbers are practically doubling! Let's be honest...all of these kiddos have nothing but tons of fun aunts and uncles who adore them.  It's weird how much you love your siblings kids, but it's so real.  Here are the pics of the siblings expecting!

p.s Did we mention they are all having MORE GIRLS?! 

Natalie & Kevin's cute girls:

Brandon and Lisa's cutie pie:

 Megan and Chris's cutie:

^^These cousins LOVE each other! They can't wait to be big sisters! 

And they love their Aunt Cole! ^^

NO SHAME

When we found out that it was Cow Appreciation Day over at Chick-fil-a yesterday, we had no choice but to dress up and get some free food! We LOVE Chick-fil-a. (...oops.  Are you supposed to admit to loving fast food?)   But seriously, I love their advertising and the fact that their mascot is a cow.  

While we were standing in line to order, we had a pretty funny conversation.

G:  "Isn't there a cow on some movie that has hair like yours? (He was referencing my braid).  

B:   "Are you thinking about a cow, or a milkmaid?"

G:   "Oh...maybe you're right..it might be a milkmaid..."

Hahaha, thanks G...for thinking first that I looked like a cow and second a milkmaid.  He claims it was just because I was already wearing spots and that he really does like my hair like that.  I guess I'll believe him! haha.  I'll tell ya what, life is never boring with this cute kid!

Much later that evening we met up with some of G's classmates for a birthday dinner at a restaurant called FIVE BAR.  It was delicious!! We were still full from dinner so we just got a few appetizers to share, but oh my they were good! I mean...baked avocado with shrimp and spicy sauce...you can't go wrong!  I can't wait to go back and eat a full meal.

^^^ The lighting was weird for pics, but OH I love this boy. ^^^

DONUTS AND CHIGGERS

DISCLAIMER: The first part of my post is very pleasant, but the second is kind of gross. You've been warned.

Remember how I said here that one of the best things about living in Alabama is the food? Well I wasn't joking! Donuts are a big deal around here.  The most well-known are Shipley's, Heav'nly Donuts (who serves hot and fresh beignets ever Saturday morning and they are DELICIOUS!), Dunkin' Donuts, and Krispe Kreme.  Last week we were introduced to a whole new kind of wonderful called Donut Joe's.

^^^ Glazed, blueberry cake donut, maple bacon. ^^^

I mean seriously, everyone needs these in their lives! I can't even describe their goodness!  And that is why I take no shame in admitting that I ate all three of these by myself.  Happy day for me! 

In other news, we have been house sitting for some friends and they have the cutest, sweetest dog! He used to try and sneakily bite Gordy, but we thankfully have moved past the biting stage to love.  It's so funny because G and I aren't pet people (besides horses at the ranch), but we seriously love this dog!  Twice during our stay we noticed some odd tan growths on his head.  The first time I thought it was a tick, but the second time around it was so huge that I started doing more research.  It was a chigger! (Don't worry, we removed both of them).

And now it's time for Creature Quest: (You're welcome Annie and Kana)

It turns out that chiggers don't bury themselves into you like ticks and suck your blood.  Instead, they attach to a host, inject digestive enzymes into the bite wound, and then suck up the digested tissue.  Lovely.  They are really gross because they don't stop until they are finished feeding which can take UP TO 4 DAYS!!! (yikes!) So, we did our best and removed these nasty creatures from our new pal.  And just for your enjoyment, here is a picture of two chiggers removed.

^^^ Two chiggers.  The big one popped a little on removal. ^^^

It was so gross and I did it all by myself while G was at work!

The tiny red one on the right is what it looks like before it starts feeding and turns into that giant mess next to it.  Seriously it's the size of my nail.  I am getting itchy just thinking about these! Yuck!!! The good news is that they only make you itch and can't give you anything like Lyme's disease or anything.  If we've learned anything quickly here it is that bugs are on a whole different playing field down here in the South! 

So....who wants to come visit? ;)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!

This year was our very first 4th of July living away from family.  It was strange not having family plans like BBQ's, Grandma Dunham's birthday party, pool parties, the ranch, a huge parade (they do it at Christmas here and I LOVE it), the Freedom Festival, and attending Stadium of Fire.  I kind of feel like July snuck up on us, also. Hi, how is it already only 5 and a half months til Christmas?! But anyways, I know it is safe to say that we each had a superb holiday.  And I kind of liked that we didn't have a million places to be.  It was our holiday and so much fun! Gordy and I both had work off and decided to spend the day away from the normal cares of school work and house work.

We started off our day with a motorcycle ride through some back dirt roads.  It was fun to explore and really appreciate "Alabama the Beautiful" as the signs always say.  We are constantly in awe of how green and lush it is out here...it's so beautiful! To quote G, "I didn't know Utah was really a desert until we moved out here."

I apologize in advance for the semi-crappy iphone photos.  It's all we had with us!

 ^^^The face that G gets when he asks me to stand by the bike for a pic.^^^

 ^^^The cutest babiest wild blackberries ever!^^^

We went for a swim at our friend's pool and went back home to have a small BBQ with our friends, the Anderson's.  Dude, ribs.  Soooo good.  Then we headed downtown to G's work to watch the fireworks from the roof! Man, did we get the best seat in the house!

^^^ Downtown Birmingham.^^^

^^^On the rooftop with the Anderson's.^^^

^^^G's favorite fireworks (its a star).^^^

They timed the fireworks to a bunch of patriotic songs including Sweet Home Alabama (which is definitely patriotic down here) so we could listen to the radio and watch the synchronized fireworks! It was great! Also, that white statue is the Vulcan.  If you've ever been to Bham then you know what that is. If you don't, then here.

Saturday night we went to the Baron's baseball game here in Birmingham with the Anderson's.  It was a blast! The Barons are a minor league team and an affiliate team for the Chicago White Sox (which is why Michael Jordan played for the Barons years ago).  #funfact

 ^^ I can't stop looking at this pic of my handsome husband! Love him mucho. ^^

They also had fireworks after the game and even though we got showered with ashes we still loved it.  Cheers, America! We are so proud to be Americans and love this beautiful country.  This summer and city are times to remember.