Stay-cation {Adventures} - Orange County

Last weekend Kenny and I went on a "stay-cation."  We found out that one of our favorite bands was playing in Orange County (about an hour and a half from where we live) and we knew we wanted to make a trip out of it. We had a GREAT time! Our weekend consisted of taking long drives and walks to explore new places, ravaging through antique and thrift stores, going to farmers markets, eating excellent food, playing arcade games and riding the ferris wheel on the boardwalk, and of course enjoying great music.

Life is great when you are married to your best friend!

Thoughts on Marriage

We have all heard it, "marriage is work." ....But it is true!! Marriage really is about work. Kenny and I work to make our marriage work.

• We work on our communication, because despite what I think sometimes, Kenny still can not read my mind. 
• We work to keep dating. I know that once we have kids, this habit will pay off. 
• We work on finding opportunities to serve each other and to say "thank you."
• We work on forgiving each other and being the first to say "I am sorry." 
• We work to try new things together and encouraging each other to reach new goals.
• We work on overcoming our weaknesses together. 

I know that this work pays off.  Now...if only I could get Kenny to read my mind. :]

Anniversary #1

One year!! I can't believe it has already been ONE YEAR! Since our anniversary was on a Monday this year, (and we both had work and I had class AND a butt-load of homework) we decided to celebrate our anniversary the weekend before the "actual" anniversary. Whatevs, it worked for us! This was a much needed break from school, and it was the perfect "stay-cation" in Salt Lake City.

We headed up to Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon, checked into our hotel and walked around City Creek Mall. We love City Creek, especially The Red Iguana in the food court! :] They serve some pretty good Mexican food, and if you know Kenny you know that we eat Mexican food all the time. After dinner we went to my favorite Independent Movie theater in SLC that only shows Sundance Independent movies. We sure do love our Indie movies. After the movie we walked around town and wandered back to our hotel room. It was nice not having to worry about homework or chores.

Saturday we slept in, went to a farmers market, did some more walking, went to the Church History Museum, and did some more walking. Kenny had his Fantasy Football draft in the afternoon so we made sure to be back at the hotel for his draft. I was able to get some rest while he was "drafting." ...boys.... Saturday night we went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. This was our big "celebratory dinner." Dinner was great, but the cheesecake was even better.

It was a great little trip away from Provo. It was hard to come back to reality. On our actual Anniversary we exchanged "happy anniversary" lovey-dovey stuff, and then I spent the rest of my non-work/school time writing a paper. Hah! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to us!

We have both learned a lot this past year. The most important lesson we learned this year is that WE ARE AWESOME. :] I can't wait for many, many, many more awesome years.

Making it FOREVER!

On April 19th, at 9:30 in the morning, Kenny and I finally made it forever in the House of the Lord. What a perfect moment that was. There were tears of pure joy and relief to know that we now have a forever family. :] I feel very blessed to have Kenny as my eternal companion. I am also grateful for all the love and support of our family and friends who were there to share that special day with us. Like I said, it was a perfect moment.

A Perfect Saturday

Today we were reminded of how much our Heavenly Father is aware of us and our needs right now. It all started with a trip to the distribution center this morning to purchase some temple clothes. There was a kind older woman who worked with us to get the clothes we need. While helping us pick out our temple clothes, she would ask us questions about our selves and "our story" and you could just see her light up as she got to know us a little better. She commented a few times how she felt "goosebumps" as we told her our story. When we were going to pay for the clothes, she offered to pay for a few things because out of the kindness of her heart she wanted to do something nice for us. She kept saying that she knew we were young, married, and on a budget, and we were doing the right things with our life to go to the temple and be sealed. She shared with us a little about herself and how she was not a member when she married her husband & how wonderful that day was when she got sealed to her husband. Meeting this kind woman was a tender mercy. It reminded us again that the Lord is pleased with us and our decisions for our life together. This woman's simple & kind act made quite the impression on me. I am so grateful for her and her kind words.

Once we had our temple clothes we traveled to the Mount Timpanogos Temple to do an Endowment session. It was a spiritual feast, to say the least. I love going to the temple with Kenny. The moments we share in the temple talking about all that we have learned or felt truly bring us closer together. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband who loves the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Heavenly Father blessed me with an amazing husband who can be a spiritual giant in our home. Kenny's testimony helps to remind me, time and time again, of the love Heavenly Father & our Savior has for me.

Those feelings of love and acceptance from Heavenly Father today were much needed and provide so much comfort - of course, just when I need it most. Heavenly Father is aware of us, He knows us personally, He knows our needs, and He knows how to give us what wee need when we need it.

Today was a perfect Saturday.

Valentines Day

Kenny and I have a deal for valentines day planning, we rotate every year who plans the valentines day adventures. This year was my year to plan and since we have a lack of funds I decided to do something very simple. After a normal day of work, errands, and dinner, we enjoyed a simple dessert picnic in our living room. It seems thats all we can afford these days. Our dessert picnic included candles, sparkling cider, red velvet cake, and chocolate covered strawberries. We reminisced on all that has happened between last years valentines day and now and shared or favorite memories. After we were full to the brim with sweets, we cuddled up and watched a movie. It was a fun, simple, and romantic evening in with my best friend (who also happens to be my husband! :] ). Score! Maybe next year we will be able to something a little more elaborate, but really all I need is my valentine - and he is mine forever.

Arizona {Adventure}

Can I just say I had a great weekend?! Althought I was a little lonely without my husband by my side, I had a great weekend in Arizona. I traveled to Arizona to see one of my good friends get married & to spend time with my family and my very best friends. I almost wasn't going to go because of car problems, but I am so glad everything worked out perfectly & I arrived in Mesa just in time to go to the reception.

Driving the whole way (and back) by myself was the pits! It's lonely driving by yourself! I used to enjoy it...I don't know what happend. Maybe it's because I am married now and road trips mean hand holding, catching each other up on stories about when we were young, lauging at silly jokes, talking about all of our dreams and the many things we want to accomplish in our lives, & reminicing on our early days of dating where we were too afraid to tell each other what we were really thinking. Roadtrips with Mr. Norton are fun! Bummer he had to miss out on this trip, but I know there will be many many more roadtrips in our future. :]

After spending just a short time with my family, I spent the bulk of the weekend with my old roommates. It was great being able to spend time with them and to see our friend, Alex, happily married. I suppose I should not call my friends roommates anymore, but thats what they will always be to me - my roommates. We (plus 3 others who are currently serving missions for the church) all met freshman year at BYU & we have been a pack ever since. Being with them, no matter how much time has passed between us, is always so much fun and so easy; its as if no time at all has passed between us! I love those girls very much & can't wait till the other 3 come home!

Like I said, it was a great weekend away! I always find it hard to get back into the grind after a weekend traveling, but I keep reminding myself that in only 7 weeks we move to Utah! (That tends to help pass the time :] )  & I have only 5 weeks left at my job (which is bitter sweet). I will be sad to leave family and friends behind, but Mr. Norton and I are so excited about our adventure to Utah. I just know that we have many great things in store for us. Watch out Utah, you are about to be hit with a bunch of awesomeness.

Empire State of Mind

Kenny and I honeymooned in New York City the first week of August. (a spectacular gift from his parents) Going to New York City has always been on my bucket list. Being there was like a dream. It was loud, crowded, exciting, interesting, and heavenly. I love New York & everything about it. I find myself missing strolling the streets, seeing the masses of people & eating all of that wonderful food. Mr. Norton promises me that we will go back, and I can't help but dream about when that will be.

Someday, New York and I will be reunited. & it will be a wonderful, happy, so very happy occasion.