An Anniversary...

As of July 14th Hubby and I have been married for five years. 

Five

In the grand scheme of things (eternity) five years is just a little blip. In the last five years we have survived college, became parents, set and achieved goals, laughed a lot, argued, and loved.We wouldn't have it anyother way. I remember on our first anniversary thinking about making it to our fifth and thinking we will be so old, that's a long ways off. Ha. It flew by.

I had this plan to write out our love story (mostly because I know our children would love it down the road.) and post it on our blog the day of our anniversary. Obviously that didn't happen because um, it's September and I haven't even mentioned an anniversary until now. Maybe it will happen eventually.

I was in charge of the plans for this one soooo... I surprised Preston with five balloons that had pictures tied to it through our five years of marriage (you know we've all seen this on pintrest) and a cute little love note.

 We then went Zip-lining at Heise Hot Springs. Talk about fun. It really was a blast and worth every penny. The guides were funny, the lines were high, there was some hiking involved and it rained and rained and rained. It could've even been slightly romantic if we hadn't been with a group of people. A family from Nebraska and some other slightly trashy Walmart workers on break were along for the ride. We got know the family pretty quick and they were entertaining at least, but we could've done without the others and their swearing, and skimpy tank tops (seriously hanging upside down...no good), and creepy eavesdropping but whatever. We had a blast! 

 We ran to the car literally sopping wet when we were done and decided to go home, shower, and warm up.  We eventually went out to dinner and to Orange Leaf for ice cream, then opted out of the movie (we were so tired) and rented a red box and came home. It was the best.

I don't like to get to mushy and corny with my love for my best friend out here in cyber world. An anniversary kinda calls for that though. :] Preston is my best friend, he the best thing that has ever happened to me. Our little love story is kinda complicated, although quite memorable. All I want him to know though is that if I had to choose again, I'd still choose him.

Source

preston told me yesterday...

"Being married on your worst day is still better than being single on your best day..."

He's a keeper.

Happy 4th anniversary babe.

a special trinket...

So I must come clean, I have a slight obsession... it's huge tiny really. I love jewelery. I know, I know, Why don't you marry it then? I would if I could be married to Preston and jewelery at the same time.  but that's a whole different post for another day.

Anywho, as I have also mentioned before I have a serious soft spot in the ol' heart for things with any kind of  sentimental value. What can i say, I'm a sap.

I have accumulated over the years quite the collection of memorable jewels. My wedding ring, the circle diamond necklace Preston gave me when we were dating, or the diamond hoops that were a first anniversary gift. this mothers day though I was surprised with a special trinket (and by surprised I mean when I saw it I shrieked and told Preston about it. He in turn, surprised me with it on mother's day) 

It's not covered in diamonds, nor did I wear it on my wedding day. This little necklace has a  slightly different reason for meaning so much to me....

Back in 2007 I was still taking generals at ISU, I happened to be in a great institute class that happened to have an even better teacher. It was the week back from spring break in Seattle, I was coming back newly engaged and counting down the days. That class discussion coincidentally was about the sealing power that takes place between couples that enter the temple to be married. Brother Williams brought in a canning jar and explained that when a couple goes to the temple to get sealed they make a covenant with God to be with one another for eternity. Until eternity happens, what occurs? He further explained, our goal here in this life is to fill the "jar" with love, faith, service, and compassion towards one another.  Always striving have a celestial marriage. Then at the end the sealing can occur, like when canning food. The actual sealing takes place when all the preserves are in it.

Brother Williams further explained creating a celestial marriage takes work on both parts, husband and wife. The day we get married is the day we covenant with the lord to do just that. Work to fill the jar. At the end, a evaluation takes place with the Lord and we are then sealed and guaranteed all the promises that were made the day we went to the Temple to be married.

I had never heard temple marriage explained that way. My whole life it was "make it to the temple", "strive to be worthy to be sealed in the temple". Now that I was engaged and that date was set, I thought then what?  This lesson was for me that day. It gave me a blue print, or a game plan for my and Preston's marriage. I told Preston all about my small spiritual epiphany during our late night convo over the phone while admiring my sparkly new ring. He agreed with me and we made a promise to each other that night to fill our "jar" toward a celestial marriage. so we could be sealed to one another forever. Three almost four years later we are still praying every night to have a celestial marriage. Is our marriage perfect? NO. Are we perfect? heavens no (although I'm so close it's scary. :] ha)  but we try. This special trinket is a daily reminder of constantly working hard to fill our "jar" full of love and service towards one another, and that promise we made with each other and the Lord that day. I love it.

i believe in marriage...

(Pure Bliss as Mr. & Mrs.)

I believe what matters most is what lasts the longest.

I believe that marriage is the first step, the first adventure, the first everything 

to a long eternity with your best friend.

I believe healthy, happy, long lasting marriages can exist in this day and age.

I believe that marriage takes team work, give and take, and 100% unselfishness.

I believe that it takes hard work and dedication to have a happy marriage.

I know that marrying Preston was the most thought out, spiritually guided, best decision I have ever made.

I know that getting sealed  for eternity to Preston was the most sacred experience in my life.

I believe that I have hit my mushy/corny/cheesy limit with this post.

Happy third anniversary Preston, I love you.

seattle, a ferry, and some bling.....

....Today is March 9th. A Tuesday. A seemingly boring day. Not for Preston and I though. March 9th 2007 was a day that both of us will never forget. Preston asked me to marry him three years ago today. I think it's always fun to hear other couples engagement stories. Each story is like a snowflake. Not one of them are alike but each one is perfect. {and if for some reason it wasn't perfect it's a story none the less :]} 
....Our story starts off in Seattle, and ends on a Ferry....

{Cue the sappy romantic music in your head...}

{A not so good pic of the city at the top of the Space Needle.}

The whole time Preston and I dated it was a long distance relationship. He was in Washington and I was stuck in Idaho. So when we got really serious I would fly over there once every other month or so. For Valentine's Day he bought me a plane ticket and we went looking for rings that entire weekend {talk about a good weekend}. He didn't propose to me then though {I was rather disappointed}. The next month was full of anticipation until I got to see him again. The whole week before Preston kept talking about how he had planned a hike for us that Saturday. ICK! If you know anything about me you know I hate hiking, Preston loves it. So I was thinking to myself "Great I'm going to have to climb up a stupid mountain, all tired and sweaty just to get that ring."  Double ICK! When I got there on Friday we went to Seattle for the day. We went shopping, to Pikes Place, P.F. Chang's for dinner {Yummy}, and to the Space Needle {you would think he would've done it there....nope}. On the way home we caught the Ferry. It was late, and outside it was dark, cold, and of course wet. Preston wanted to go to the top balcony. I argued with him, complaining that it was to cold and rainy. He Persisted. {Did I catch on at this point?....NO.} I gave in, so we went up there and snuggled. Preston stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me to keep me warm. The entire time Preston was whispering sweet memorable nothing's in my ear, but I was to distracted by the view and my shivering to really take them in. I soon realized there was ring box in front of my face and he whispered in my ear "Devry will you marry me?". I was in total and complete shock. So much so that I  turned around to face him & said "shut up". He smiled, I cried and said "yes". He teared up a little too. I was no longer cold or wet :]. And I didn't have to go on a stinky sweaty hike either.

{On the monorail from the mall to the space needle.}

....The perfect proposal from the perfect man for me. Was there a flashing banner at a football game? No. A 1000 daisies all over the place and candles every where? No. He didn't even get down on his knee. But I honestly wouldn't have had it any other way. I love you eternally Preston.  

{Do I have any Pics of the actual moment?... No. Too busy hugging and kissing....}

....So what's your story?...

....24 & 29....

....January has come and gone and so have both of our birthdays. Our birthdays are five days apart, Jan 26th and Jan 31st. {Oh, a little un-known factoid Janae and Travis' B-days are also five days apart but in July....WEIRD}  I've always thought that birthdays were a big deal.{ I tell Preston all the time that I think it should be a birthweek rather than a birthday} I think it's because ever since I was little I would have like five parties for my little ole' birthday. One for my family, one for my mom's side and two on my dad's then of course a friend party (spoiled blessed, I know). As I got older though that craziness died down. Then I married Preston. Who's birthday is only days after mine, so the craziness ensued. We celebrate from my birthday to his. Now it's never five crazy parties outlandish, but we do celebrate with each other. A night out to dinner, and presents with cake. Eventually celebrations with family later. We overdose on cake and ice cream and get spoiled.... 


....This year Preston spoiled me with an opportunity to make over our bedroom! bedspread, paint, lamps, and all.I'll have to post pics when it's complete {It's quite the process}....He also cleaned the whole house. Top to bottom all by himself.... while I sat on my rear and crafted. He's a Keeper! We went out to Sizzler for dinner {Random, I know but we needed a change and Preston had never been there before}Janae and Travis came with us....


....I got Preston a new X-Box game, a year of X-Box live, and two movies he wanted. We had a good week, full of partying and fun. It's definitely a once a year bash....

....preston thinks he's hilarious....

So like every other year Valentine's day has come and gone, like most wives I kinda somewhat have an expectation of what the day should be like with my husband. this year, was a little different than past years... i had to work all day and i knew that it would be a busy day at work (which it was) and i knew i would be dead tired when i got home. We both wanted it to be really low key nothing extravagant. well believe me Preston took that to heart! i was sitting on the couch in the morning waiting to get ready for work. Preston walks over into the kitchen, towards the pantry and before i know it i heard "Happy valentine's Day!" and a twinkie hit me in the head... nothing like marrying a true romantic! Preston got a kick out of it and everyone that i have relayed the story to has as well.
when i got home from work i had roses and a little love note waiting for me...much better Preston. i love him, even when he thinks he's hilarious...