Two Turtledoves

Alex and I went to Temple Square to see the lights over the weekend. This won't be the only time we end up going, but I don't mind repeating it. I love it. Thankfully there was some snow left over from the "blizzard" when we went so it was more Christmas-y. :) We went with a couple newly married love birds, Jamie and Teralee. Whilst walking among the lights, I told the said newly married love birds to pose for a picture on a bench nearby.


When I turned around, this is what I saw.

It was too sweet [and by sweet, I mean uncomfortable] to pass up a taking a picture...

This is the real significant other. So, since they took their love picture, we thought we'd take ours. :) Love this lady!

All in all, great night. Went to IHOP afterwards, had good conversation, had a good time. This weekend, Alex and I are going to the 'Dickens Festival'. I have never been, but Alex says it's great. From what I gather, there will be food [most important], carolers, ghosts of Christmas past, present and future wandering around, Father Christmas, cute gift shops.... sounds like my kind-of place.

Hopefully pictures will follow.

Saw This...

... and thought it fit me pretty well.

A lot of people [mostly men] ask Alex and I why I "allowed" him to have a full, thick, beautiful beard on our wedding day.

My only response?

Just look at him! Yummm.. I do admit though, on our wedding day was the thickest I've ever

seen it....

...not that I'm complaining one bit! ;)

Cha-cha-changes

..that will come with the year 2011. {No, I'm not getting ahead of myself. T-rust me... I love Christmas too dang much to skip over it.}

{ONE}

I will be getting a second job in January. Not sure where yet, but somewhere fun and easy. I'm thinking of applying at some flower shops or Barnes and Noble. Except B&N might be a little too tempting to work at... the point of the second job is to get more money, not to spend it frivolously.

{TWO}

I will get to be home for the Christmas holiday next year. I've honestly forgotten what it feels like to be at a Russell gathering. I love the large Teran Clan, but I'm ready for some Oklahoma love!

{THREE}

My brother will be getting off the mish'. Ohhhh how I can't wait to see him again!

{FOUR}

Throwin' around the idea of having Mr. Teran going part time in January... so he can get more schooling in. I'm not exactly sure if we can afford it- so that is why it hasn't left the "throwin' around" category. Honestly the thought terrifies me. Not sure if it's possible. Time will tell.

{FIVE}

2011 may be a little stressful. I know that the husband and my time together will be cut in half... there will be a lot of work, school, work and school. I'm a little apprehensive about beginning it... but I've got to just focus on the fact that it will end eventually. We won't be strapped for money and/or time forever.

I think that this holiday season we've realized that we don't have a lot of extra money to spend. We've become very frugile and it hasn't been easy. I'm trying to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, and just enjoying the time we have together... because next year it will be a bit different. Like I said, it will NOT be an easy thing, but sometimes you have to sacrifice now for something you want later. Yikes. ;)

So. The rest of the year will be basking. Basking in any extra time we get to spend together. Basking in the feeling of the holidays. Basking in my Mum being in town. Basking in our blessings and in everything we do have. (which is ALOT.) I truly can't complain. There are many others that don't have near what we do. That is something to think about.

Happy Holidays!

As time goes on, I really feel like my blog is becoming more and more obselete. There really isn't anything of interest in our lives right now... we both work, he is endlessly in school... I feel as though the stories I tell are always the same. :) I'm thinking that my blog posts will become less and less until maybe our family expands or something spectacular happens. Nevertheless, here I am.

Life is good over here. We're LOVING the snowy weather and the holiday tunes (minus Neil Diamond, Jackson 5 and Michael Bolton...) and we have been drinking hot chocolate almost every night. :) We've taken our Christmas pictures and are starting to shop for gifts for family members. Things are just happier around this time of year. We love going to the mall and seeing all the Christmas decor. Christmas will, however, be a little meager for us- so we've decided to just buy minimal gifts for eachother. Since my mom will be out here, it will be a present in and of itself. Plus, I really want to focus on the reason for the season!I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season and remembering those who are less fortunate. Love you all!

What Would I Say?

...if I had the opportunity to have a conversation with him? So much has happened since he left us.


I can guess that it would start with a long embrace. He would still smell like Polo cologne, and he wouldn't seem as tall now. He would be wearing church clothes, white button up shirt... black pants. He would still have fantastic hair, and his big glasses that fit him so perfectly. I would make sure he had a Diet Dr. Pepper. :) He would call me Rachy and it would feel like he never left.


I would start by expressing my undying gratitude. Gratitude for all the things he taught me. Gratitude for him always quizzing us on the way to school or church of scriptures we should memorize. Gratitude for his devotion to the church, his wife and his children.


I would go on saying that there were some rough times with some of the kids, myself included... but we made it through- and much of that was due to the foundation laid by him and Mom. I would say that all 6 children are endowed, and 5 are married in the temple for time and all eternity. 1 is currently on a mission, and 3 others have previously served missions. I would say that there was a moment when all 6 children and Mom were in the temple together. That even though he wasn't physically there, we felt him.


I'd tell him about my fabulous husband, and how I wish he could have asked for my hand in marriage. I'd say that I wish we could have had a Daddy-Daughter dance at my reception, but then again- I know all his girls wish that.


I would talk to him about how he has 5 grandchildren... and the number is growing fast! Since we don't have children yet, there isn't much to say about that- except I hope that they have some of his physical attributes. I know that they will know much of their grandfather, even though they won't meet him in this life.


I would mention that he probably never realized the impact he'd make on everyone he met. People still talk about him fondly- and his memory has not faded in the slightest. He touched many people.


I'd also pick his brain. What kind-of music did you listen to? Who did you date in High School? College? What was it like playing in the Utah Symphony? Why did you stop playing String Bass? Did you have any dreams as a young man that you never got the chance to fulfill? I want to know everything I didn't think to ask at age 11.


After our conversation, we'd probably laugh and say that he was everywhere I wished he could have been... just not physically.


In this life, we're not sure of why things happen. We're not sure why loved ones have to go when they do. Why did he have to leave when we were so young? I'm not sure we'll ever know that answer until we too pass on. But I do know that the reunion will be sweet and is much anticipated.


I love you, Dad. Thinking of you much- especially during the holidays. ♥