Hiatus

Hi everyone! I'm back from my brief disappearance. (I know...I know...some of you are thinking, "Huh...she left?" Others are thinking, "Her posts are always so long and rambling...after 3+ weeks, what am I in for?" Others, who are so sweet and loved, kinda sorta missed me, right?:) ) I actually had to take off to Utah unexpectedly. My Nan (grandma on my mom's side) passed away. She's been fighting cancer since July, and in the end it went really fast. My mom called the night of the 10th, and the next morning I was on an airplane at 7am. Nan is an awesome lady. She's a gourmet chef (seriously...can't even begin to do her cooking justice), a perpetual party planner, and best of all, she is constantly serving other people (I say is and not was because I am oh-so-confident she is on the other side continuing the work she was doing here). Her favorite thing ever was working as a temple worker in the Bountiful Temple. She, of course, wasn't perfect (he he he...she could cuss out my Pa like nobody's business if the mood hit), but she sure is an amazing person, example and grandmother, and will be so missed.

I ended up staying in Utah a total of 2 1/2 weeks. After the funeral I stuck around to hang out with my parents. I wanted to stay through my mom's birthday on the 28th. Even with the tough circumstances, we had a good time. Our little trio was back to raising havoc just like the good ole days! :) Ok, so "raising havoc" might not be the right words to describe what we did: eating out, baking yummy desserts, getting my hair cut, playing Yahtzee Free for All and Uno Attack, hanging out with my cute sisters, exploring new stores so I could spend wedding certificates (seriously Utahns...if you haven't been to Spoons N Spice...holy cow...amazing...my kitchen will never be the same), running errands (I have a blast just grocery shopping with my parents). Maybe not havoc, but fun just the same! I'm really blessed to have parents I consider friends.

After 2 1/2 weeks, though, it was time to head home to the other person I love too too much. This is where I'm going to brag, so bear with me...but my husband is pretty darn amazing. When we got back to our apartment, he opened the door and I smelled...what could it be? No way! Cleaner? Yes...the apartment was as clean as I'd ever seen it. And I'm not talking tidy. He actually deep cleaned! In my amazement, I kept "casually noticing" (no...not checking...I was not checking...just noticing!) all these places I thought there was no way he would have thought to clean, but lo and behold...clean! All of them...from the top of the fridge, to the weird spot on the toilet by the bolts...he even mopped floors. I was stunned. I mean, I knew he was good, but THAT good? With no hints?! Who is this guy? As if that wasn't enough, there was a dozen long stem red roses in a vase on the table, and a delicious homemade Mexican dinner heating up in the oven! Homemade pork enchiladas Cafe Rio style! Can you believe this guy? I tell you what, I've got quite the keeper. I keep telling him and my parents that if they don't stop spoiling me, I'm going to be...well spoiled. Ruined. Turned into a monster. But neither party seems to want to listen, so watch out! There is a crazily spoiled creature on the loose, and she might just be headed your way!

Since I got back, we've dove into basketball season full throttle. Brian and I will both be practicing once a week, and having games on Saturdays. We're so so so so so excited. And, our last bit of exciting news... (drum roll please.........................) We finally decorated our bedroom! Woo hoo!!! Desk...check. Antiquey desk chair...check. Mirror, shelves, pictures, lamps...check. Killer bedspread...check. Best of all, for my birthday Brian surprised me with my favorite print all framed. The Singing Butler. Perfect.

That's the update from here. Happy February everyone! Hope you're all doing well!