Year One of Marriage

Wow, David and I have been married for over a year now!  It's been crazy to think about how much happens in a year.  We became parents of a rambunctious dog, Brody.  David chose his official major and career move.  He got a wonderful internship at Wavetronix.  I did an internship at LDS Family Services and now have a big girl job as a therapist at Provo Canyon School.  We paid off my car.  We grew and changed and made lots of mistakes.  We laughed and cried.  There are many things that we have learned, and that's what I want to share in my blog.

1) Marriage is work.  We knew all of that coming into our relationship, having amazing examples before us that showed us that marriage takes practice and work.  However, there's A LOT of work involved in making a marriage work.  We learned that serving each other is crucial.  We learned that sometimes it's okay to not "win" in an argument.  We also learned that we need to become one, but we also need to be our own individual selves as well.  Many people complain about those crazy couples that fall off the face of the earth once they get married.  I never thought I'd be one, but I was.  That's because we're working ALL the time.  It's fun, but it takes practice.

2) We learned that having a dog can be the best thing ever.  We also learned through our dog that we were NOT ready to have kids for awhile.  We have to be a little less selfish for that.  We're getting there.  Brody takes so much of our times, but the payoff is worth it.  I've never met an animal so cuddly and fun.  He is definitely our emotional support animal in our hardest times.  He also creates some of our hardest times, from gluing back carpet pieces that he's chewed up, to teaching him how to NOT pee all over the house.  It's tough, but it's fun.

3) We learned that Heavenly Father truly loves his children, and He guides us in all we do.  Trials have been pretty easy on us recently.  I personally think that it's because we're going through some large transitions in our life and those are hard enough as it is.  We have felt comforted as we make our big decisions, knowing we're on the right path.

4) It's important to have fun.  We've had great fun, from touring San Diego, to hiking in Moab (just Allie with her job), to chilling at home and getting to enjoy some really fun and new shows.  We always try to do new things and have been having fun with our friends.

5) The biggest thing that we've learned is that there is so much more learning to do!

July 4th Week....Stadium of Fire and Camping!

     Well everyone, it's been awhile since we've updated our blog.  Mainly because David and I are insanely busy.  Who knew that it would be so difficult and time consuming to plan a wedding/reception?  And take classes and work full time?  Haha...well I guess when you put it all down on paper it makes sense that we haven't updated the blog.  Or have much to talk about besides the humdrum of daily life like wedding announcement issues that required an extra week (but they look amazing by the way!).  We did, however, have an amazing 4th of July weekend!

     It all started when I was on a mission.  My wonderful companion Katelyn Hyde talked about this event at BYU all the time that involved fireworks and pop stars.  I thought it sounded legit!  So, when I heard that the Stadium of Fire was coming, and we were going to be here, I was determined to go.  When David found out that I had never gone, he was totally on board.  We ended up working for most of the day and then went.  It's pretty amazing when you can walk to an event with Kelly Clarkson singing.  How amazing to be in such an amazing city.
     The event was amazing.  I can't even explain how cute these little girls were that danced!  They filled up practically an entire football stadium and did the cutest things!  Then there were skydivers that brought the flag in.  This amazing 11 year old girl sang the national anthem.  I've never heard such clear pitch in that young of a child.  She's going to be amazing.  Carly Rae Jepsomething sang.  She was pretty cute until she was like, "you know, I'm a canadian...but I love America!" You could hear crickets chirping.  Haha, it was pratty great.  When Kelly Clarkson came out it was beautiful.  She gave an amazing performance as always and really showed that she was patriotic and sweet.  The fireworks were absolutely.  They showed clips on the Jumbotron about things that represented this country such as freedom and the right to invent....All of it went with the fireworks.  We were so close that we even got ash on us!  Afterwards we had a great meal with Dorothy and John (David's parents and my soon to be in-laws) at Denny's.
     The next day, David and I worked and went to classes (just the same old boring life).  We left a little early from our regular duties and decided to go camping.  The gang was all there!  It was great because we got Skyler's special spot that was taken last time.  We got there and set up our tents while Skyler went to work on the campfire again.  We went at the perfect time to set up all of our gear and still have some sunlight to have dinner and socialize.  As far as camping goes, it was absolutely perfect!  It started getting dark pretty quickly and we started to notice thunder coming in from the distance.  We got to experience a wonderful event that I didn't think I'd ever experience in this desert that we call Utah...A thunderstorm!!!  We got a thunderstorm!  It was so amazing because we all ran into the big tent and told ghost stories and funny stories until it was really late.
     I woke up early, with the sun, and decided that I wanted some nice peaceful solitude.  While everyone else was sleeping I went out and enjoyed nature.  It was so beautiful! Once everyone was awake we set about making pancakes....except...we forgot the griddle.  After some deep thinking, it was decided that if we took some really flat and skinny rocks, we could cook on the.  We named them rockcakes.  Not only were pancakes made with them, so was eggs and bacon!  It was a delicious meal that I must say my chef of a fiance put together really nicely.
     After breakfast we went on a lovely hike that really showed the beautiful mountains and the wild flowers.  After that we were hungry enough for lunch.  We put the tents away and had some hotdogs and left.  That day, Millie David and I got sick.  I'm still experiencing the effects.  We're blaming it on the rockcakes!  But boy, was it a great weekend.

p.s.  It's official, the boy bakes and cooks!  Last Sunday, we had homemade cinnamon rolls.  This Sunday we had coffee cake.  Yup, pretty amazing.  I found a keeper!  It helps that he's also willing to teach me and watch Disney movies on Sundays...take that for a romantic keeper!

Oh You Know, Just Camping With Some Bears!

     As most of you know, this weekend was Memorial Day Weekend.  Which means that the nation decided to celebrate those who have given their lives to this country.  Let me just say at the beginning: thank you!  It's because of you that we have the freedom that we enjoy today.  Many people see this holiday as an opportunity to enjoy this free land that we have and do outdoorsy things.  Well, we are no different.  It was time we went camping!  We got some friends together and decided to make it a real holiday and work more than we actually relaxed!  Because it was so impromptu, we ended up setting up a tent in the dark.  Well, as David and I use our great communicative skills and set up a tent with our one and only flashlight (which makes things a little more difficult when there are two people trying to set up a tent), our wonderful friend Skyler is making everyone some dinner.  We were intensely setting up the tent, actually having tons of success and hear a noise...."HUFF!! HUFF!!"  I hear it, and I look at David.  By the fear showing in his eyes, I know that he's heard it too.  We are silent and then we hear the noise closer! "HUFF!!  HUFF!!" Holy crap!  I've been to enough zoos to know a bear's noise when I hear it!  I ask David, "You heard it right?"  He responds by running towards the campfire...with our only flashlight!  I book it too!  Holy crap!  Once we get to the campfire, I look back to protect myself.  Out comes Skyler from behind our newly pitched tent, smiling contentedly.  I am about to yell and warn him that there's a bear back there, but I notice by his smile that something funny just happened.  I realize with perturbed happiness that it must have been him making those noises. 

Well, I was not amused! Well, I kinda was.  Especially when Skyler explained that there just aren't any bears here in this secret camping spot of his.  Sure....well, you bet I made sure that the boys slept with a hatchet and knife close by.  I slept with my throat ready to scream for them to come and save me! The next morning, David and I decide to take a morning stroll.  As we're walking by the creek right behind our tent we hear a branch crack.  We look over the creek, about 20 feet away, to see what made the noise and we see a black bear!  Yup, there's a black bear...running away from us. 

     We were both so happy to see it running in its majestic beauty that we didn't stop to think of the dangers.  I guess things are much less scary in the daylight...when things are known.  It was an exciting experience.  Skyler was upset that he was asleep and didn't get to see the bear.  I think it serves him right for scaring us then telling me there are no bears in that area.  Sure there are no bears in that area!  Good thing we made sure to keep all of the food in the car!!  And what an amazing once in a lifetime moment...Seeing a bear in the wild.  What a great memorial day weekend!

Side Story: When David Met the Family, Guns and All!

     Well, as most of you know, my family is different from most families in several respects.  One: they don't really take life seriously.  My family's philosophy: if you're not laughing through life, what's the point in living.  Two: behind our individual relationship to Heavenly Father, family is the most important thing that you can have.  Three: individuality is crucial.  We were raised to discover who we are and be the best we could be with whatever that might be...a soccer star, a scholar, or a diva (that was me, the theatre diva).  I guess these values are ones that most families share.  These values came largely into play when David met the family!
     At the time that David met the family, we were pretty serious.  We didn't keep it from them at all.  We all realized that it is important that my family "meet" David via Skype.  The date was set, the computers were ready, and we were all excited!  Well, we give my family a call.  And up the pop on our screen.  There's my Dad!  With....two GUNS over his shoulders.  He looks menacing!  What the heck, I had NOT prepared David for this.  I had calmly explained to him my family's values.  I had told him that my family is always accepting.  That they respect my decisions and love whoever I introduce them to.  He was nervous to meet them as it is...and here's my dad on screen with two guns!  I didn't even know he OWNED guns!  My dad states, "oh Allie and David it's you!  I just wanted to show you, David, my gun collection.  They're pretty great...this one is a *insert name of gun here, I was so shocked that I didn't pay attention...and I know nothing about guns anyway* and this one is a *insert some other gun information that I didn't even know my dad knew* and this is my favorite!  You see this scope?  And it is accurate within 200 yards.  *I think I remember this aspect because David looks at me like he was considering how fast he could run 200 yards away from me*.  Sigh, that's my dad....who knew? 
     Then he looks at the screen and starts laughing.  I notice then that David is laughing too.  I think while Dad was going through these things I was objecting at every sentence, although I don't remember.  After this occurrence a normal family conversation ensued.  With tons of laughter, a lot of making fun of each other, tons of showing of affection, a great conversation about our dogs (which we were shown each one.  Sushi, grandma's dog has gotten so fat).  We talked about my brother David's creeper 'stache and how different he looks with it.  My sister demanded attention (I have soft skin too! *inside family joke*) Mom assured David (fiancé) the whole time that Dad was kidding.  Dad laughed and brought in some interview questions for David.  It was a terrifying experience for David and I both.  In the end, David decided that I was still worth the scary experience, shotgun and all.  I'm certainly glad that he did!!

Jellyfish Aquarium and the Count of Monte Cristo: A Proposal

     So we decide.  We start making plans.  We make big plans.  The only thing left was the official proposal. We had met the family.  Dad had threatened him with several guns (an entirely different story, see things get serious post).  The proposal still needed to happen.  It happened on Saturday, May 4th.  That day, David asks what I want to do.  We had thrown around several ideas earlier that week, the aquarium, the tulip festival, another lazy day of movies and the park, making food together....I told him it was up to him and he decided that we could go to the aquarium.  We head up there.  The nice lady welcomes us to the aquarium enthusiastically.  We get a map to make sure we don't miss anything and we start on our way.  We see all sorts of cool things.  We touched the sting rays, much to David's dismay.  We saw the penguins eating and the daddy penguin giving pebbles to the mommy penguin while she was laying on the egg, just like in Happy Feet!  We look at the super cool snakes and fishes of all kind.  Then he looks at the map and states that we hadn't seen the jellyfish.  Well!  You can't miss the jellyfish!  So we head over there.  The jellyfish were in a little secluded area, he let me guide the way.  The little jellyfish alcove is dark and in the corner so that you can see the jellyfish glow really awesome colors when they lit them up.  There was a nice lady cleaning the glass to the tanks.  She told us that she would get out of our way and everyone was just so nice!  While I'm staring intently at the different colors of the jellyfish, I notice someone is lowering something into the tank, I think, "Oh, they must be cleaning it...except it's a piece of paper."  I wait to look at the paper.  It says, "Will you marry me?"  I think: "Oh! That's so cute that someone is proposing!!"  I look around to see if we are in someone's way and to watch the proposal.  I don't see anyone, so I turn around again.  With the whole sign lowered it stated: "Allie Harrison, will you marry me?"  What!!!  That's me!!!  I look over at David, and there's the love of my life, kneeling down.  He asks simply if I will marry him.  I say yes...the next little bit is a blur.  He ties a string on my hand and whispers that it represents the first time we held hands (which happened to be during the movie, "The Count of Monte Cristo." We had been customizing a ring and it isn't finished yet).  He hugged me tightly, then he kissed me.  I noticed then that people must be around because there was a faint clapping...I hold his hand and realize that we're both shaking.  Gah!!!  It's official!  I'm engaged.  Not only am I engaged, but I'm engaged to someone that I want to be with forever.  To David...to my David...to my forever!  To my everything.  The rest of the day was a blur of love haze, that's the only phrase I've got for it.  The aquarium staff kept smiling at us knowingly and congratulating us.  We got some nice pictures.  Jellyfish became a big deal for us.  Mmmm! How I love that man!  Yup, we're ready to start our forever.

And then things get really serious

So, we both realize where this is going.  And it's going there really really fast.  Faster than either of us anticipated.  Faster than either of us really wanted.  But it was going there, and it was decision time.  We did the decision thing like we always do the decision thing.  We individually prayed and fasted.  We made pro's and con's lists.  We thought things through.  We discussed the relationship with our friends and families.  We began to really think about the decision.  And it was the right one.  Let's do this!  We came to the conclusion at the same time.  This was an exhilarating and terrifying point in our relationship.  I mean, this was serious stuff!  We started making plans.  We began contemplating times to get married.  We would have great days where we would happily talk about the future.  We would have days where one of us got freaked out.  I mean, this was forever we were planning!  I mean, were we both ready for forever to start?  Were we finished being stupid and having our big decisions and stupid mistakes only impact ourselves?  Heavenly Father comforted us, and we also helped each other.  We got more comfortable and happy with our decision every day.  It began to get more and more official!

And then things get serious....

And then we started dating, seriously dating.  A whole new territory for me.  We start talking ALL the time.  We are together all the time.  We tell each other that we really like each other.  I meet his family.  We talk about soooo many things.  We realize that we have this connection.  I realize that he's so easy to talk to.  I begin to feel that I can trust him.  He opens up to me. We watch the Count of Monte Cristo.  He holds my hand.  A couple of days later we go to the park.  We swing on the swings.  He tells me that he hopes I don't mind, but he's been telling everyone that we're dating.  I sigh in relief, I tell him that's no problem because I've been doing the same thing.  We do the gross couple thing and hold hands in the park.  He tells me that he's a serious guy.  He moves quickly, and he really only does seriously relationships.  I tell him that I am terrified of serious relationships and like to keep things light and carefree.  We laugh and decide that we were both going to have to compromise.  The rest, from that moment on, is history.  We start doing everything together.  We become a couple.  We talk about everything.  We laugh together.  We go on adventures.  We stay at home and are lazy.  We have serious moments and carefree moments.  We thrive in our new relationship....we start falling in love.  I won't bore the entire world on the serious, mushy gushy details.  Let's just say, things get serious.