The Story of Bamboo

This might seem like a weird title, but mine and Grant's life recently has been like bamboo that grows. This is something that Grant's mission president used to tell him all the time. Grant was in an area name Horizon (right outside El Paso) for about 9 months of his mission. For 7.5 of those 9 months, there was not a single baptism. Grant and all of his companions would work so hard, but feel like their work was to no avail. When he would talk to his mission president for guidance and counsel, his president would always say "Have I ever told you about how bamboo is grown?" Bamboo takes a few years to grow, and you can't see anything growing for a long time. During those first few years, the bamboo roots grow deep and strong underground. It is building a strong foundation, but to the human eye you can't see it. Then, literally within a couple of days, it grows into an enormous plant. Grant's mission president always told him that that's how it would be. During the last month and a half of Grant's mission, the area took off. Grant saw many successes and miracles in Horizon, and it became his favorite area on his mission.

With all that background, these past few months have been like bamboo for Grant and I. We've been a little lost about the future and where we should live, if Grant would find an internship, what I would do for a job, what post graduation plans are, etc. These past few days have been incredible. Grant found a wonderful internship up in Salt Lake City that starts this semester and goes through the summer. He's also figured out the rest of his schooling and will graduate next April. I'm graduating this April and have a few prospects for teaching positions next school year. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much--more than we expected or deserve. I am so grateful for the simpleness of the gospel and for the blessings Heavenly Father has given us. As Nephi explained "I have trusted in Thee and I will trust in Thee forever." 

Sometimes we feel like we're growing bamboo--we can't always see the pathway before us and we have to really exercise our faith in the Lord. But he will never lead us astray and I know he is always guiding our lives. I'm so grateful for the peace and serenity that following the gospel brings into my life.

Good Day!

TODAY WAS WONDERFUL AT SCHOOL! We made new seating charts for the kids, and enforced them, and today the students were so on task! Probably also due to the fact that parent/teacher conferences were last night, but I don't care. My classes did beautifully today! 

Another Successful Valentine's Day!

Hello Hello!

Happy Valentines day to all of you! I've been thinking a lot about mine and Grant's Valentine's history together if you will and it's been different every year.
2010
This was about 2 weeks after we went on our first date so we were just barely dating, but I was also going on dates with a few different people. The weekend of Valentine's Day I was actually on a date with another person. Good guy, but I couldn't help but think of Grant the whole time. When I came home from my date (with a different guy, mind you--and Grant knew I was on a date) I walked into my bedroom to find a vase of red roses from Grant with a very sweet note. Grant was very patient with me and let me date around, but was never hesitant to let me know he was thinking of me :) I knew at that time that I met a very special person and would be lucky to have the chance to date him.
2011
This was about 3 months after we were married. I remember Grant and I had both had a long day of classes and were pretty worn out (or at least I was). He was home before me, and I came home to find the apartment all cleaned, dinner in the oven, and a vase of red roses for me on the kitchen table. The thing about Grant is that it's not just on Valentine's Day that he does romantic things for me. He'll randomly bring me flowers and is always willing to help around the apartment and especially help cook dinner.
This Year
This year was yet again another successful Valentine's Day! Grant and I are coming up on our 15 month anniversary next week (it sounds better saying 15 months than a little over a year haha) and I can't believe how much has changed. I thought I loved Grant when we were dating, then when we were engaged, then when we got married. I thought I loved him last year. We've been through so much and even though we're still very young and new at being married, our love has grown deeper each day and we're so grateful for each other! Enough about the romance though--Grant got me a rose-gold watch and the beautifully restored edition of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth)! I just about flipped when I opened the movie--I've been wanting that for a while. I got Grant a few gifts that went along with 10 reasons why I loved him (some of those include bacon, snickers, Rich Dad Poor Dad (the boy's a nerd), and some other pretty funny gifts). As wonderful as all of these gifts are, the greatest gift of my life has been having a wonderful husband by my side. I'm excited to spend the rest of forever with my best friend.

Christmas Festivities!

Grant and I had a wonderful Christmas this year! We were down in St. George with his family for about a week and it was a lot of fun! We went to the temple together, we played walleyball, lots of settlers, rummikub, and back-alley bridge. It was fun to be with all the Vanderhorst kiddos! It was also a great time for us to remember the Savior and remember that no matter what gifts we received, the best gift we could receive is the gift of the atonement and the opportunity we now have to return to our Father in Heaven because of the Savior. I love this time of year and how much closer I feel to my family and to the Savior.
Now, what I am about to say may shock some of you, but we ACTUALLY BROUGHT OUR CAMERA THIS TIME! Not only that, BUT WE ACTUALLY TOOK PICTURES! Unbelievable, right?! So, enjoy the pictures!

We went to temple square with Stephen and Emily before we left for St. George. Such pretty lights!

We were helping the kids make their own gingerbread Santa sleighs. Costco=genius!

The kiddos were really excited to open the gifts from grammy and gramps!

Carly's new scriptures for her mission to Cape Verde

Paula wanted to make sure Carly didn't have an excuse to not write home ;)

My new boots that I picked out and bought on Black Friday. I was excited to finally get to wear them!

Grant got a new shirt, tie, and dress pants

We didn't realize how much Mom and Dad love Tetris! So we got it for them :)

 Cartigan=DownEast Basics. And yes, I picked this out as well :)

 Grant was super excited about the tools he got for our grill!

 This boy knows me WAY too well! I love this movie!

 A WhirleyPop popper from Stephen and Emily! Thank you both so much! We've already used it a ton.

 Grant was sick of me always borrowing his IPOD to workout, so he bought me my own little IPOD shuffle! Very nice to not have to lug around a huge ipod. Sucker holds 500 songs! Perfect for working out.

Overall, it was a great Christmas. I will say, it was very hard to be away from my own family. I did shed a few tears on Christmas--I didn't realize how much I would miss my family. But, I was happy to spend time with Grant's family and get to know them even better. I have such great in-laws and really feel like I'm a part of their family now. 

Happy New Year! May 2012 bring lots of joy and happiness!

I never thought it would come

So, I was walking around BYU's campus the other day and it really hit me--this is my last semester of classes. I won't be walking to classes every day. I won't have to fight for a parking spot. I actually get to begin teaching; something I've been working so hard to get for the last 4 years.

I have been attending school for the last 17 years and I will no longer be a student in just 5 short months. As I was pondering this I thought back on my school experience (elementary school through college) and had so many sweet memories of teachers, friends, graduations, and so much more. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so grateful for school. It's helped me become the person that I am today and helped me reach my goals of becoming a teacher. I know school is tough and hard and I've mumbled about it many many times, but I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I've had. I entered this school to learn, and BYU has helped me have the tools I need to go forth to serve. I'm excited to finally say this: I'M A COLLEGE GRADUATE!

Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post about our Thanksgiving--yes, we forgot our camera...again haha! We spent it with my family and then the next day went down to St. George to be with Grant's family for a few days while Carly went through the temple. Yes, this is a short post. But I'm a busy girl.

1 Year Anniversary!

Happy 1 year to us! This past year has been a wonderful and full of a lot of love, laughter, and joy. I will say, the first year is definitely an adjustment, but Grant and I have loved getting to know each other better and look forward to growing closer together throughout eternity.
Celebration Time!
We went up to Park City on Friday night to Saturday afternoon, and it was great! It was nice to be able to sit in our hotel room and relax a bit. We were able to watch Hurricane High School win the Utah 3A State Title, a couple other football games, some movies, and we also went around downtown Park City for a bit and ate at a restaurant called the Blue Iguana. It was hands down the best Mexican food Grant or I had ever had. Ever. Best guacamole, best pulled pork, best burritos, it was amazing. We also went into a couple Christmas shops (Grant humored me) and we got a Christmas ornament. It's a tradition to get an ornament on our honeymoon/anniversary for our tree. When we got back to Provo we decorated for Christmas (again, Grant humored me) and then he surprised me with tickets to go see The Help (which made me laugh and cry--so good!) and then we went out to frozen yogurt afterwards. He got me a beautiful pearl ring, some earrings I have been eyeing, and some see's candy chocolate and roses. I got him some long john's and a Philadelphia Eagle's hoodie. Over-all it was a great anniversary. I am so grateful to be married to Grant. He makes me a better person, and I learn so much from him.