Who would've thought...

For those of you who know me really well, you know I am a girly girl.

I love to shop, the color pink and pretty jewelry.

But, most of all, I LOVE shoes.

I am pretty girly.

Growing up I was never really outdoorsy and camping and "boy" stuff wasn't really my cup of tea.

Going to camp, was going to Princeton University to Running Camp.

Not exactly roughing-it up.

With that being said, I love love love to ride quads.

Last weekend the our newly engaged friends Mitch & Amanda

(Mitchanda? Amanditch? MitchAmanDunn? you decide)

were in town.

We had the opportunity to hang out with them a couple times and on

Saturday, we became adventurous and, hit the mountains.

Arizona Mountains.

We had a blast!

The weather was marvelous and the place was empty.

Austin & Mitch loved taking us girls around

showing off a bit.

We liked it.

I am so glad we got to spend time with them and we hate that they live in Utah but are

so so so excited that they're getting married.

Hopefully they move to Arizona. Soon.

I love that my husband has made me love the outdoors.

I love to ride quads.

horseback ride.

camp.

& fish.

not so girly now huh? 

Rewind... to Mother's Day

Ok, I know I am going all over the place with my posts but I forgot to write about Mother's Day. 

I am not a mom (yet), 

but I am surrounded by wonderful moms that have been nothing short of inspirations to me.

Because I live a whopping 2,656 miles from my mom I have a hard time on Mother's day.

This year I splurged on her and decided to get her a nice purse.

I love my mom and she deserves that... and the world :)

I wish I could've been home to open it with her.

Instead, we skyped and her reaction was priceless.

I have the best mommy in the world.

I love you forever, mom.

So on Mother's day in Arizona, our day was a little hectic.

Our day began promptly at 4am... haha not on purpose.

I woke up randomly (my insomniac husband was already awake),

and we stayed up.

We made a small breakfast, watched a movie and relaxed until 7am when we began getting ready for our day.

Our first stop was Gramcracker's ward at 8am. 

She was so thrilled to have her family surprise her and visit that she was almost in tears.

Gramcracker is so sweet and I know she is a great mom and grandma who I love!

Next we headed to Grandma Garrard's ward at 9am! (across town!)

We made it on time and G-ma was also so excited and happy to see us.

After her ward ended we headed back to her house where Debbie made her world famous Crepes! 

They are seriously to dieee for! 

I would've taken a picture but I was too busy stuffing my face.

(This is an old pic of me and G-ma Garrard, but I love her just the same!)

We then headed back home where we prepared for our next stop.

We then headed over to Lori's house for another meal (we love to eat),

and Skyping with Brady!!

That was sooo fun and technology sure has come a long way.

It was so nice to see his smiling face and we just had a blast chatting with him for a while.

Our evening ended with our own little celebration back at our home.

Austin made me the sweetest card ever (see below) and I was spoiled.

I got the ICE CREAM Attachment for my KitchenAid that I have been dying for!

It was a good day.

I can't wait to be a real mommy! 

( no, I am NOT pregnant... nor are we working on a baby yet... yet is the key word, i will keep everyone posted)

Austin said that the little drawing remind him of me... I better be that cute! haha.

homemade ice cream = delicious :)

One Month of Wedded Bliss

You learn a lot in one month of being married to someone.

1. I love Austin more and more each day.

2. We need a bigger house.

3. Austin snores, and I talk/laugh in my sleep.

4. I don't like it when the cupboards are left open.

5. Getting kissed every morning when you wake up is the best feeling.

6. Having someone to come home to is also amazing.

7. Grocery shopping is quite the task.

8. I made a "bill binder", with monthly calendars and all.

9. I love to cook.

10. Everyday is date night :)

11. I have to do laundry more often.

12. Sacrificing closet space was not the funnest part.

13. Being silly together in your home is a blast!

14. I love to snuggle alllll night.

15. I love being called "wifey"

16. I never noticed what a big mess I leave in the bathroom every morning.

17. Austin is very organized.

18. We are not ready for a baby. Yet.

19. I am a terrible singer, but Austin lets me sign anyway.

20. I take up about 80%  of the bed.

Being married has been so fun so far. We are slowly but surely learning how to make things work for us. We both are very independent and stubborn people so making decisions can be kind of hard sometimes. I am not very good at opening up and letting him know why I feel certain ways sometimes, but he is also not a good guesser. They say the first year of marriage it's the hardest and so far I haven't felt that and I hope I never will.

Each new day brings a new adventure for us and each new adventure teaches us something new. We are two people who became one unit and we are learning to unify our lives. 

Austin is my family. My everything.

He is the reason for my happiness and I have never been happier in my life.

Happy One Month to the LOVE OF MY LIFE,

My best friend and my soulmate.

To an ETERNITY of happiness and trials, may we always come out in triumph together, for better or for worse.

I love you Austin Garrard.

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."  ~Mignon McLaughlin

Afternoon Picnics

I love my husband.

I've been really stressed lately, and one of my many downfalls is that I often take out all my frustration on Austin. 

He is so patient with me and even when I throw my not-so-pretty tantrums, he is so respectful and cooperative. 

He deserves everything in the world.

Especially less tantrums from me.

I will work on it.

Tuesday night after finishing my final for 4/5 of my classes I was starving and had no motivation to cook

( or clean for that matter, our apartment is in need of some TLC).

So Austin was kind enough to pick up a quick dinner while I took Zuke out.

While on our short walk, Zuke decided he wanted to play in a big field, he asked nicely by walking up to the fence, trying to squeeze his head in between the bars and then looking at me and whining, I guess I taught my dog how to whine pretty well since it worked. 

We walked to the neighborhood next to ours and as soon as I let Zuke off the leash he ran like a mad man, round and round in circles around me.

Each time looking at me to make sure I was watching how much fun he was having and politely thanking me for this wonderful opportunity.... haha a mommy can dream right?

He was a very good boy. 

So I laid in the grass, enjoyed the nice breeze and relaxed.

I need to relax more often.

Austin joined us a little while after.

Zuke was very out of breath and we relaxed in the shade under a tree.

It was the perfect dinner.

I love my husband. 

He makes me happy everyday.

Brandi's Birthday

Brandi turned 17 last week!

We have been really close for a few years and I was so excited to spend the day with her.

Lori had to work on that day so Lori, Brandi and I went out to dinner the night before to celebrate.

We had a yummy steak at Texas Roadhouse and many, many rolls!

Delicious!

After Texas Roadhouse we did a little shopping.

Us 3 went to Ross and then Brandi and I went to the mall to spend her giftcard she got from Lori.

It's hard to pick just one pair of jeans haha.

We also got some awesome jewlery and you know me, I can't leave the mall without new shoes :)

That night she spent the night at my house

(Austin was up north with his friends)

We watched our favorite shows (OTH and Roswell, haha we're dorks)

Wednesday morning Brandi got up early and left for school.

Little did she know that I got up too.

Lori made some brownies for her class so I picked them up along with balloons and dropped them off at her school.

I also proceeded to decorate her car with car markers and it was a blast... except for the part where I was in heels on all fours on top of the car and people were looking at me like I was crazy.

I went to work and around lunch time I picked up Brandi and took her out to lunch.

We ate a lot!

I dropped her back off at her seminary class where her balloons and brownies waited and the boys in her class sang her happy birthday, off key of course!

I then went back to work.

After work I picked up Brandi and we headed to Scottsdale!

We went to "Sprinkles"

It's an amazing cupcake place and stuffed our faces with delicious cupcakes.

We then went shopppinggg... what we do best together.

After many hours of that we headed back home but picked up some delicious Oregano's on the way of course.

As you can see, we LOVE to eat.

Once home we watched American Idol and relaxed ( I had a ton of hw.yuck)

She then got a surprise visit from Hayden who dropped off some beautiful roses for her.

We of course did not want that fun day to end.

" This is the best birthday I have ever had thanks to you Beli"- Brandi

It was all worth it.

I love you Bran!

Happy Birthday little sister :)

Our First Easter together :)

Being married is so fun.

I love being able to start our own traditions as a family.

Easter was the first Holiday we spent together officially as a the Garrard Family.

We decided to dye easter eggs!

It was such a fun experience!

We are pretty talented if I don't say so myself :)

we made a mess ha

I think we did a great job for our first time

A + B

my favess

Zukey & Mommy

We spent time at Lori's and Bob's.

We had great time.

We had hunts, and yummy food and of course a lesson about our Savior.

We can't wait to have our kids to teach them as well. 

I am blessed beyond all measure.

I am not one to toot my own horn and this post isn't intended to make anyone feel bad.

With that being said...

A few months ago I was in a hurry leaving work and heading to school when I decided McDonald's would be a quick and easy place to stop at to grab a snack.

I pulled into the parking lot and in the shade, I spotted a small old man listening to a battery operated radio.

My heart filled with sadness as I saw him from a distance in my comfortable car.

I was in the drive thru window and decided to order a few extra items to give to him.

I parked my car and walked over to him.

I sat with him and we ate lunch.

His name is John.

He is a war veteran, in a wheelchair, who is homeless and has cancer.

I missed class that day and talked to him.

People stared at us as they drove by.

I have never seen a more grateful face.

He is kind and sweet and calls me "kiddo"

Ever since that chilly January afternoon, I visit John almost weekly.

We eat lunch, sometimes breakfast and we chat.

He never asks for anything but is quick to thank me when I bring him food.

One day after Austin cleaned out his closet I grabbed a handful of t-shirts and went Walmart and bough some socks to bring to John.

When I pulled up to the parking lot I found him sleeping next to a trash can on the ground.

My heart was filled with sadness.

I handed him the stuff and he began to cry, he kept asking me why I was so nice to him.

I cried too.

I saw John today.

His cancer is getting worse.

He doesn't know how much longer he'll be around.

I am sad.

I am blessed.

Not a day goes by when I see John that he doesn't say:

"God Bless You, Kiddo."

and God does just that.

A couple of cheeseburgers, some apple pies and even an ice cream cone are all that it has taken to make John grateful for me.

It didn't cost me much, and a few minutes of my time make a world of difference to him.

It always starts with one person.

You will be blessed, and I am living, breathing, healthy proof of that.