To My Love:

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
Or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
In secret, between the shadow and the soul.


I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.


I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way.


That this: where I does not exist, nor you,
So close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
So close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.
-Pablo Neruda

Happy One Year, Alex. Can't wait for the years to come.

Quick Update

Still loving our apartment...

And yes, I'm still planning on posting pictures... eventually......

Alex is done with school for the semester...

Going to Oklahoma for a nice little vacay in about a month...

Coming up on our 1 year exactly a month from today...

Still loving life and eachother...

Life couldn't be sweeter. :)

Congratulations!

To my sister, the new Mrs. Oklahoma!

I'm so excited for her! Heather obviously looked gorgeous, and I wish I could have been there.

Goals:

Starting now, I am going to:

• Get in a routine of reading scriptures and praying daily.
• Learn to sew.
• Save up for that camera....
• Make sure I get dressed every day, and look presentable.
• Take more risks in the kitchen.
• Enjoy nature, and make sure I'm out and about in it daily.
• Develop a more healthy lifestyle.
• Learn something new everyday about my husband.
• Stop dreaming, and start doing.

Whew. So much to do. :)

Be of Good Cheer

"Let us never despair, for the work in which we are engaged is the work of the Lord. It has been said, "The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it." The strength which we earnestly seek in order to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when, with fortitude and resolute courage, we stand and declare with Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

These are words spoken by our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, during the priesthood session. Though I obviously wasn't able to attend that session, I read the words and I get chills. I love how he expresses that the Lord will shape our backs in order to bear burdens. How remarkable, and how true.


I have a problem with change. Lately, there have been many changes happening, and while they aren't bad, they are different... and of course, different can be seen as negative. My life has a common thread throughout it. I get into a groove, I get into my comfort zone, I am happy... and then it's turned completely upside down. I'm sure this isn't coincidental. ;)


When I am feeling particularly low, or if I feel my life is filled with too many trials... too many things gone wrong... I read "Come What May, and Love It" by Joseph B. Wirthlin. It is one of my favorites, and I read it regularly in order to remind myself to be happier. An excerpt from that talk comes to mind when I am feeling like I can't go on.

"I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it."

Learn to love it. Learn to love adversity. Learn to love trials and hardships. Seems impossible, but it isn't. Difficult, yes. But not impossible.


I know I've used this picture before in a previous post, but I love it. It shows the true essence of these incredible men. Conference was fantastic this session, as it always is, and I needed it very much.


Enjoy the Easter weekend. :)