There is happiness.

I read a quote several weeks ago that I loved: 

Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel.

 “Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘An High Priest of Good Things to Come’,” Ensign, Nov 1999.

 I have thought a lot about that quote over the past month. I've had it on my desktop at work for weeks and whenever I would get discouraged about the job hunt, or working, or not knowing when and where, and if we were going to go anywhere, I would read that quote and I found comfort, if only for a moment.

I finally decided to take Elder Holland's council a couple weeks ago and "Trust God and believe in good things to come". I was sitting at work worrying, like I always do. I'm really great at it! :D I was worrying about when we would get a job and when I could quit my job and when we could move, etc. I sat at my desk overwhelmed with hopelessness and I decided I wasn't going to worry any more; I couldn't it was exhausting and it was effecting my job, my marriage, my relationships, and so many other things. I decided that I would put my trust in the Lord and have faith in the future and I did.

Personally, I think the Lord has humor and I think he laughs a lot because it wasn't six hours later that Matthew received his first call about a company that was interested in interviewing him- and I chuckled to myself and then I felt bad I hadn't trusted him sooner.

We have been blessed immensely since that night and although the future is still uncertain I continue to put my trust in the Lord and know that he will guide and direct us where we need to be and there IS happiness in that.

Adorable

This sweet video tugs at my heart strings...

Love you dad!

Happy Anniversary!

I saw Matthew for the first time on Sunday, January 5th, 2003. My oldest brother, Louis and my mom had just driven me back to Utah. It was a difficult time for my family, as my father had just past away a few weeks earlier. My mom and my brother went to church with my that afternoon at the BYU Law Building. I was sitting there saying hi to my sweet friends and feeling their wonderful love and support when in walked this strong, handsome farm boy. I was immediately attracted to him.

Weeks went by and my image slowly changed. I dyed my hair a darker color and started going through a "punk" phase. My family was worried about me, but I felt like I was just trying to find myself and cope with everything that had happened over the last several months.

Matthew and I wold walk past each other on our way to classes and every time I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. I finally verbalized my crush for him to the girls in my ward and by March he called me on the phone and asked me out on a date. I was elated!!! I hung up the phone and screamed, I felt like the luckiest girl in the ward. 

We moved fast in our relationship, by our second date I told him I was really attracted to him and I wanted to see where things could go, but that I came with some serious baggage. We were open with each other from the start and it was so refreshing. On that same date we had our first kiss.

The next year brought a lot of struggles for both of us. We were young and trying to find ourselves and figure what we needed, but being together was never a question. On April 10, 2004, we went up to Sundance and he proposed to me in the very same spot where we had our first kiss.

I moved home to AZ a few days later to plan the wedding. On Saturday, July 10, 2004 I married the man of my dreams and I've never been happier. Matthew is my world and I've grown to love him more and more every single day. 

Here's a look at us throughout the years! 

Us on our wedding day- 108 degree weather is not ideal.

 

 

Our Honeymoon in Mexico, where I began the never-ending bad luck with all motorized vehicles that are not cars. I wrecked our 4-wheeler about 15 minutes after we rented it and I was determined to take it back right away. This has only continued throughout our marriage, the most memorable can be seen here.

 

Our very first picture with our very first digital camera. This is history in the making folks!

Our 1-Year Anniversary-We went up to Salt Lake City and stayed at Little America where Matthew proceeded to get sick with food poisoning-definitely a memorable anniversary!

December 2005

 

I will NEVER forgive myself for this...I used to cut Matthew's hair and I thought I was pretty good at it. Until this specific incident when I had taken the guard off of the clippers to get around his ears and then I found a spot that I had missed on the side of his head and I went at it without the guard on...before I knew it, it was too late!!! Needless to say, I refused to buzz his head, so we had to take a trip downstairs to Nate and Jill's-she was braver than I was and afterward he looked like our niece Grace. I've never cut his hair since...

 

Sept 25th, 2006 - The night before Matthew's first marathon in Logan, UT

 

Sept. 23, 2006 - Just after crossing the finish line after his 1st Marathon!

 

Disneyland June 2007-Matthew's 1st trip!!

 

4th of July, 2007- I love his curly hair!

 

Christmas in Boise 2007

 

After purchasing our first car-Christmas 2008

 

My first race "Running with Angels"-May 2009

 

My 25th birthday in Park City-September 7, 2009

 

Matthew's Graduation-April 30, 2010

 

Special Olympics-June 2010

 

4th of July 2010

Happy Anniversary babe, I love you!

Provo City Half Marathon - May 1, 2010

My training for the half marathon was difficult. It seemed every race I had leading up to the big day had its own challenges; the biggest of all was the IT Band Syndrome I had in both of my knees. 

The last few weeks of training were a huge struggle. Matthew and I would head out on Saturday morning with our water belt, gum, music, GU Chomps and our trusty Garmin GPS watches; and we would head up Provo Canyon. I felt great for the first few miles, even making it all the way to Vivian Park on one training run, only to be discouraged and disappointed on the way back. My pain would get too severe, so I'd have to stop at one of the parks and Matthew would run ahead to get the car and pick me up. I was devastated; I felt like I wouldn't be able to accomplish this one goal I had set for myself.

Matthew talked to me about possibly running the half marathon relay, he would take the first leg and then I could take the second and cross the finish line. He also talked about the possibility of skipping the race altogether and not doing it. Taking time off, resting my knees, recuperating, and then trying it all again in a few months. I wouldn't listen; I got upset anytime he brought it up. I was determined to do it, but in the back of my mind I had doubts.


I wanted May 1, 2010 to be the day that I accomplished this goal. My parents would be there, my little sisters, Matthew's family and that was more important to me than any pain I felt.


The farthest I had gone in training was 10 miles, which hurt. I didn't think I could make it another 3.1 miles after that race. Two weeks before the half marathon I was planning to run 12 miles, it was on the schedule, but I only made it 8.5 miles. I was determined to run 10 miles the next Saturday, but I only made it 5.


I broke down, I didn't know what to do. Should I give up? Should I rest? Should I risk getting injured just to reach my personal goal? I decided to go for it. I knew if I was going to do it; I needed to give it everything I had. So, I went to our family doctor the Monday before the race. He gave me a cortisone shot in each knee, which was really painful, and told me to rest until Saturday. He also suggested I buy some straps to put above my knees while running to take some of the pressure off, so I did.

The week went by fast and before I knew it, we were celebrating Matthew and all of his accomplishments and then we headed to pick up our packets. We went to bed early and I prayed for good weather and a strong body. I woke up early, ate some breakfast, and we headed to the starting line. It was a beautiful morning.

Provo Tabernacle (Start and Finish Line)

But, it was a little chilly,

And, I was really nervous,

So, I turned on my tunes,

and I stretched a LOT. Before I knew it, we were saying goodbye,

and we were OFF!!!! We stayed toward the back of the pack and I got in my groove. And about 5 minutes into our race, it started sprinkling...and then it started drizzling....and then it even snowed, but it didn't stop me, I kept going.

The weather stayed at a constant drizzle and we were both grateful we decided to run with our gloves on, they literally saved us! I stopped at every aid station. I stretched a little, drank some water, ate my GU Chomps and tightened my IT Band straps as I needed to. My pace was a little slower than I would have liked, but I felt good and that's all that mattered to me. My music was keeping me motivated and before I knew it, we had passed the half way point, which was such a relief. Each mile marker we passed I felt good, and when I passed mile marker 7 as "Another One Bites The Dust" came on, I started laughing and then my eyes filled up with tears, I was actually running my first half marathon!!!!

At mile 10, Matthew looked over at me and he said, "This is virgin mileage, babe! Every step from here on out is farther than you've ever gone before".-And I still felt good. :D

Around mile 12, Miley Cyrus started singing "The Climb" to me. MOST.AMAZING.SONG.EVER!!! I started crying and laughing all at the same time. I think it was in that moment that I finally realized that I was going to make it. I was going to finish the half marathon.

The last mile was definitely the hardest. I felt like I was running in slow motion and my body felt like it was shutting down, but I kept going. And when we rounded the corner for the home stretch, my step-dad was standing there in the rain and pretty soon I started seeing all of our other family and friends that came to support me, and it was emotional. 

We were almost there, and every step was a little more difficult than the last.

And then Matthew started celebrating before we even got to the finish line...

And then I grabbed his hand, and we finished together, just like we always do!

We were soaked and we were tired and it only took 3 minutes before we started to freeze, so we didn't stay long, but it was so worth it.

I'm so happy that I had friends and family there to greet me at the finish line. It was emotional giving them hugs and sharing this experience with them, definitely something I will not ever forget. 

And I couldn't have done it without my best friend. He is the one that keeps pushing me and helping me reach all of my goals! And maybe someday, we'll even run our first full marathon, and finish together! :D

This has been the soundtrack of my life/training over the past several months: 

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Friday, April 30, 2010- Matthew's Graduation Day

I know I'm really behind, but I think I'm ready to get back into blogging and catch everyone up on all the big events that have happened the past few months. The biggest and best news of all is Matthew is done with his Bachelors of Science in Computer Science. Hooray [I'm Jumping up and down]!!! :D I couldn't be more pleased with him and all of the amazing things he has accomplished. 

This day couldn't have been more perfect. We seemed to have spent weeks and months planning for the big graduation day and it all happened so quickly. I kept telling myself, throughout the, to live in the moment and soak it all in. I didn't want to forget anything about this moment, these feelings, etc. My only regret is that I did not get enough pictures, but I will cherish the ones I have for a lifetime!

Friday morning we had the privilege of going to a President's breakfast where they honored the Valedictorians of each college. Matthew's parents were able to join us as guests and we had such a lovely time. The weather was a little gloomy, but I think I wore enough sunshine for everyone!

 Matthew and I at the President's Breakfast

 

Picture with Matthew's wonderful parents

 

Proud wifey!!! :D

After breakfast, we attended commencement, where Matthew sat on the podium and was recognized by the President of UVU, Matthew Holland. I met his wife at breakfast and she is just the most lovely, beautiful woman. President Holland spoke and used the text from Dr. Seuss' "Oh The Places You'll Go", definitely a favorite book of mine. They also had Larry Echohawk, head of the U.S. Indian Affairs speak to us. Matthew's dad played football with Larry at BYU, so we met him before commencement during the Presidential Breakfast.

Immediately following commencement, we had the convocation for The College of Technology and Computing. Matthew sat on the podium and gave a wonderful speech. We have it on video, but it's in the wrong format and Matthew requested I not put it on the blog, but it was amazing. I received a little shout out; it made my heart flutter and it brought tears to my eyes.

 cute hubby on the podium

  

 I love this look, melts my heart!

Giving his speech

 

 Receiving his diploma

 

 Picture we got with the family that was able to attend-THANK YOU!!!!

 

After all the ceremonies, we dashed off to pick-up our packets for the Provo City Half Marathon and then we went to Matthew's Celebration with family and friends. We had such a wonderful time and truly appreciate all the love, support, and prayers we've received on our behalf over the last several weeks, months, and years. We've started to look for jobs and we feel so blessed to know that the right one is out there for us!

Thank you to all of you!!! We love you more than you could ever know!!!