9 months!

Happy 9 months of marriage to us! I told Brandon today that if our marriage was a pregnancy it would be full term... I'm sure he thought it was funny deep down.
We have been through a lot these last 9 months. So many ups, and a few downs. We've laughed and cried together, and learned a lot about each other. Brandon does the most ridiculous things at times to make me laugh so much. And he's learned to deal with my strong will.
We have visited 7 different states (I think??) and 6 temples. Brandon knows I'm obsessed with new temples, and he lets me plan our trips around them.
We have read our scriptures as a pair every night, and prayed together at least once a day. The temple, scriptures, and prayer are much of the base of our relationship. We are also careful to be grateful for all the gifts we are given, because we know that we would be sunk without the help of our family and friends. Being married has really helped bring me closer to my own family, in addition to gaining a new family and loving them too.

They say the first year of marriage is the hardest... I certainly hope so. Because our life will be so easy if this was the hardest!

I can Do Hard Things. Chapter 36- Hike Around "R" Mountain.

I've decided my life can be divided into stories of how it's a joke. Example? This story.

So it all started when my cousin Jake invited us on a hike to our resident "mountain", R mountain. I told Brandon about it and we decided it would be fun. Hike up the mountain, down the mountain, the end right?

WRONG.

At the beginning of the hike, I was drinking my water all the time because I was thinking, "Ok, I can wait to get home to drink more water, we're almost done." We reached the top, and I sat down. The rest of the group (minus Jake kind of and Brandon) had left us in the dust, literally. So I was left gasping for air and feeling very much how out of shape I was. I did take some pictures though, because the view was pretty cool.

 I liked the butterfly.

 So tough.

 So dead!

As soon as I sat down, though, the rest of the group said, "Ok, we're just going to swing over to the R and see some volcanic ash that's there!" Swing by... yep. I thought that meant like 20 minutes out of our way, and walk to the volcanic ash. THROUGH volcanic ash, mind you. I could smell it everywhere.

Pretty soon, we were once again left in the dust, and hiking through the wildlife. We were NOWHERE near a path, and I have plenty of scratches to prove it.

We passed a hawk's nest, and that was pretty cool. Probably the wildlife highlight of the day.

(Those little white fluffy things are the babies.)

Once we got to the "R", it was time to go down. How did we get down? We skied. It was pretty funny, but also pretty scary.

 The hill that we slid down.

 Still dead!

Ah yes, we finally found the Holy Grail. THIS was what we were looking for! Was I excited? Not in the slightest. We had been walking in volcanic ash for quite some time, and my shirt smelled like sulfur to prove it.

We got some pictures, and the geologist in our group finally got some samples of the substance that would obviously save all mankind. That must have been his purpose, otherwise I'm not quite sure why we were dragged around the mountain.

We had hiked exactly halfway around the mountain to find this magical ash, and so we had to hike EXACTLY halfway around the mountain to get back. And this time, it was uphill back. We had hiked uphill to get to the top, and it was uphill back. I thought that only happened in stories!

I fell quite a few times on my way back, and was seriously upset that we had been dragged around here. Not to mention that the group totally left us again and we were left to fend for ourselves through rocks and once again not anywhere near the path. Thank goodness for Jake, for making sure we knew where we were going, and for Brandon who didn't leave me the whole time. He knew that it was his job to keep me going, because I certainly wasn't going to make sure I kept going.

When we got home, Brandon let me go to Horkley's and get a big cup of Coke to celebrate. It was really what I needed, and I was much more happy. My poor shoes though, are another story.

The brown used to be navy blue. I'm trying to keep my hopes up that they're washable and not completely ruined.

On the way home, I found out that Brandon and I got some serious sun. I asked before we let if we needed a hat or sunscreen, and Brandon said we'd be fine. I took a picture of my face to make fun of my sunburn, and apparently it's funny to some people.

Poor face!

So how do I feel about this hike? Well, now that I'm over it, it was quite the experience. I can now do a hard hike and push my body to it's actual physical limit. I was SO tired, and so ready to give up. Unfortunately, giving up was not an option because nobody could get me off that mountain except myself. So yes, I'm proud of myself for this dang hike! The fact that I completed it is amazing, and I know that I can do it again if I was tortured my life was at stake. And I lost a few pounds from that exercise so woohoo!

Happy Mother's Day!

"Everything I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." -Abraham Lincoln
Happy Mother's Day! There are so many great mothers in my life that I'm grateful for today. My mom, my mother-in-law, my many many aunts, now 2 grandmothers and 2 grandmothers-in-law who are all great examples in my life of how I want to be when I have my own children.

I'm grateful for a mom who just about died trying to keep me on the straight and narrow path. I wasn't always the most obedient or meek teenager, but I never doubted that my parents loved me. Even in the times where I thought my life was about to end, my mom would tell me that she loved me. I've always remembered that.
I've realized I'm turning into my mom, which is something I swore I would never do. Whenever Brandon and I meet someone, the first things I determine when deciding if I like them is if they're nice. As long as they're nice to the people that I love, I can work with other quirks in personality. I also have my mom's tendency to defend the people she loves to the death. I've definitely noticed that I will not hesitate to get after somebody if they insult someone in my family or friends that I love.
I definitely haven't always deserved the sacrifices that my mom has made for me. She gave up the chance to go to Iceland, her lifelong dream, to help me plan my wedding. Someday I will be able to pay my parents back for everything they've done for me.

I"m so grateful for a mother-in-law who raised such a great son. I know I talk about Brandon all the time on here, and just talk about how great he is. I don't doubt that he wouldn't have turned out that way if he hadn't been raised the best way possible by two loving parents. He loves his mom so much, and she puts up with his teasing too. I haven't been with Brandon's family too many times yet, but I already love them so much and can tell that Brandon was raised in the type of family that I was raised in and want to raise my own children in.

I don't have enough pictures to cover all of my aunts, but I'd like to thank them too. There have been so many times where they've "adopted" me for a time, and let me live at their house. I've traveled to Utah, Houston, Phoenix, Ithaca, Sacramento, and Nicaragua, amongst other places to live with aunts who are also such great examples of mothers. I love them all, and I'm so blessed to be surrounded with such a wonderful family!

 Grandmas Myres and Murphy

 Grandma Putnam

Grandma (and Grandpa) Giullian.
I love all of my grandmas! I know that they are all strong women, and all live the Gospel the way that they should. They are the matriarchs of our extended families, and have helped to raise a strong extended family.

So yes, I have a lot to be thankful for, and I wanted to share it. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers I know out there, and for all the soon-to-be mothers I know!

Happy Birthday Dal Pal!

Happy Birthday Dally doo doo!

 Nice hand placement.

 hahahaha I love this picture of Dallin.

 Brandon and Dallin have a special little bond.

He loves his Murph dog.
Dallin is such a good middle brother. He turns 17 today, which means he will be 19 by the time Austin gets home from his mission. We hope that he goes on his mission after Austin gets home, but whenever he goes he will be so great!
He puts up with a lot of teasing, being the sibling right after Austin and me. He loves his dog and loves his siblings. My mom's loving having a mellow child like him right now, and he is (almost) always helpful around the house. We wish we could be there, but just know we love you and wish you a happy birthday!

The Hardest Part

One of the hardest things about this major for me is hearing all the stories of the families who have a child with a disability. I've always had a very tender spot in my heart for people who can't help themselves. People with disabilities and little children are at the top of that list. So working with infants and toddlers with disabilities is my epitome of doing some good. But it comes with a price for me. I've come home so many days on the verge of tears, because my heart breaks for these families. They tell you a lot, and they don't censor themselves. I am currently working with a child, and her family is so kind and so loving. Such great parents, it just makes me sad that they have to go through these trials. I heard that a girl who I had grown to know and love probably wouldn't live past her 10th birthday, and I heard another story about a girl who suffered 40-50 seizures a day, but her elementary school teacher called her a "distraction" and asked for her to be taken out of her classroom. Stories like that just make me angry at the "professionals" for not doing their jobs.

I never realized how blessed my family was until I got into this major. There are many families who don't even have the support of their extended family to keep their lives afloat. When I hear stories like this, it motivates me even more to be the best professional possible in whatever I do with my degree, and make their lives as easy as possible.

It also makes me so grateful for the Gospel. I would not be able to handle this major and profession if it weren't for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and that families can be together forever. Because seriously, what's the point in going through so many trials if you think that death is just the end of life? I don't know, and I know that if I die and find out that my religious beliefs were wrong then at least I was happy and tried my best to be a good person during my earthly life. These children and their families who suffer so much will be blessed for it, and they will live together without the impairments for eternity.

My aunt Kristin shared this link on Facebook, and I love how kind this mother is!

http://www.godvine.com/Mother-s-Inspiring-Video-About-her-Blind-Baby-Boy-1484.html

Austin K Murphy

This is Austin.

 And this sums up our relationship.

Austin leaves in 23 days for his mission, and I'm starting to get a little bit sad about it. Not that I'm sad he's going on a mission, but that I won't be able to text him or call him for 2 years... Just emails once a week (if that).

Austin and I were meant to be siblings consecutive in the birth order. We are the two loudest kids in the family, and really just get each other.

"You sneaky MOM!"

We were meant to be twins.

When we went to Six Flags... this face was posed.

The three brothers.

When Austin made the most obnoxious noise while riding his bike around Balboa Island.

 After we had stayed up all night talking... I can't remember the last time I did that.

Outside the Mount Timpanogos temple when Austin went through for the first time!

When he came to visit me in Rexburg.

I'm so excited that Austin is going on this adventure. If I didn't get married I'd be out too! (Note: not a state of regret. I'm so glad I got married!) I'm going to miss him, but I can't wait to hear about his French learning, and his adventures in the cold, and how his personality will draw in the potential investigators.

He has the strength and determination of 100 normal people. When he wants something to get done, he will do it and wonder why the rest of us weren't as excited about it. I see this translating into his mission work. He will see an investigator, and not accept any of their weak excuses as to why they are not doing something when they really want to be at church.

He really cares about the people he gets close to. We have pictures of him with Bethany as a baby, and he was so protective and loving of her. I know that he will love the people of Quebec Canada, and he would do anything for them. He just needs to get the language down first.

We're so excited to see you in your adventures, Austin! His mission blog URL is www.elderaustinkmurphy.blogspot.com. There's nothing on it right now, but it will be updated soon!

I love school!

I only need NINE credits to graduate.

I am SO excited!

AND!

I am loving this semester... I didn't even know it was possible!

I realized why.

The past few semesters, I've struggled a lot in school and wanted to change my major.
Last semester was a lot about assessments, which is interesting, but not really what I want to do with my life.

However, this semester is about Early Intervention. And it's EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO DO!

It's what I envisioned when I signed up for the Early Childhood Special Education program almost 4 years ago.

And then yesterday I found out I don't need a graduate degree, because my classes will qualify me to be an early interventionist. It was meant to be!

Why do I want to be an early interventionist?

Simple:

I. LOVE. BABIES.

And I want to help them have the easiest life possible.

 My little cousin Camille

 Magnum and Maverick

My Nicaraguan preschool.

 Kamden

Savannah

Jamison... cutest neighbor ever.

In case you were wondering, this is the age group I would be working with.

Nightmares

So my life has been going pretty well during the day time... but lately I've been having a rough time sleeping.

First of all, I'm a worrier. When I hear about one of my friends or family being sick or hurt (i.e. Brandon having to go to the ER and get 2 bags of fluids from an IV from being so dehydrated from mono), I worry about it for a long time afterwards.

I have had a problem with nightmares lately. Ones about awful things happening to the people I love the most. Things that make me wake up in tears, and things I can't tell anyone about. I'm not quite sure why it happens, but I wake up and try to sing Primary songs, or pray out loud until I can get the feeling of darkness away from my mind. I'm not quite sure how to take care of it, but I know that's why I usually don't sleep through the night, even if it's not a dream that I can remember. I'm so grateful that I have the Gospel, that can help me through these awful episodes. I'm grateful that Brandon knows by now that when I wake him up and say that I had a nightmare that all I need is for him to put his arms out and hug me. And most of all, I'm so grateful when I wake up and realize that those dreams are not true. Because man, they're pretty bad.

I'm guessing this is Satan's way of trying to get to me. I've been really trying to do what is right, and it's when my subconscious takes over that I'm most vulnerable.. So that's why I'm up right now even though I'm so tired. I don't want to sleep.

I just needed to get that out of my system... If you see me and I'm super tired in the mornings, it's probably because I didn't sleep for the entire night. I'll be excited to get these dreams out of my system, but who knows how long that will be.

Spring Break 2012 Part 2

Ok, so as promised... The San Francisco pictures.

 Taken from the ferry... I love that skyline!

 Golden Gate Bridge.

 Alcatraz

 Fisherman's Wharf.

It was cold in San Fran... even in the spring.

Checking the map at Ghirardeli Square.

We had just hiked up that hill... ugh.

Lombard Street.

The view from the bottom... I love it!

We got to take a tour on the trolleys, which I've never done before. I loved hopping on and off the trolley.

The hill down to Chinatown.

NOTE: We passed the intersection from "Princess Diaries", where Mia was trying to learn how to drive her Mustang and crashed into the trolley. Luckily that didn't happen to us!

We were walking around Chinatown looking for a fortune cookie factory that I had found last time we were here. However, to take a picture cost 50 cents. I was able to sneak a picture last time, but this time the angry Chinese man had his eye on me.

On our way to Union Square!

We discovered that Union Square was actually a place with a lot of high end stores that we will never shop at... but we did find a Cheesecake Factory inside of the Macy's that we had lunch at.
There were also 3 or 4 men protesting outside a hotel with a megaphone... They said the same thing over and over again for over an hour.

On our way back to Fisherman's Wharf!

The view from Lombard Street, looking out over the city. I really can never get enough of this.

  We had another cranky public servant, so we could only get this not-so-good picture from my phone before we had to hop off the trolley.
On our way back to Pier 41 to catch the ferry, we passed all the crazy people. I didn't have time to take as many pictures as I wanted to, but here's what we saw:

• A man saying "My wife got kidnapped by Charles Manson, I need a quarter to get her back!"
• The Bush Man (Who hides behind branches and jumps out at people)
• Some guy standing on a bench with a sign that says, "I need a Dollar for Weed! Hey, at least I'm being honest."
• Some guy who must have been on crack, because he was playing a violin with a bow that had no strings. He was holding the violin between his knees, and just playing away in the most awful way possible.
• Two men, dressed in silver and gold paint, with a windup key on one of their backs, acting like robots and asking underage girls to come dance with them.
• Someone who pulled Megan and Taylor aside and said "You guys are too good looking to be this serious. I'm going to write you up for not having enough fun!"

On the ferry back, we saw all the seals on Pier 39. Apparently it's a big deal, because there's a sign in the background that says "Happy 2nd Anniversary Seals!"

No trip is complete without a picture of a squirrel!

Even though it wasn't Brandon's birthday yet, we celebrated it early. We had some friends of Steve and Karen's over, and played a dice game with them. We also enjoyed a delicious Almond Joy cake that Ashlee made for Brandon. It makes me want to take a cake baking class!

The next day we got up early to leave, which was sad, because we didn't want to come back to school the next day. We stopped by John and LaDawn's humble abode before getting on the freeway with Mikey.

A funny story about when we stopped for dinner (in the middle of nowhere). We went to Subway, and I ordered an Oven-Roasted Chicken sandwich. The guy asked me if I wanted the sandwich toasted (no), and then asked, "Do you want the chicken heated up?" I gave him this look of total confusion. If I wanted a cold chicken sandwich I would have said so. Brandon says the way I responded was pretty funny, because it sounded pretty confused.
We made it home safe and sound, and now we're back in the swing of things!