Bohemian Rhapsody

As a little graduation present for ourselves (that we have been saving for, for quite some time), Jason and I were able to enjoy a week alone on Nassau island in the Bahamas. It was everything I had hoped for - sunny, relaxing, romantic, and fun. We were never able to go on an "official" honeymoon after we were married, but I cannot imagine enjoying a tropical vacation more together than we were able to now, after being married for 5 years. After years of juggling school, work, and kids, this is the first time that we were able to get away without anything major "due" right away, and it was amazing!

The Tuesday after graduation, Jason had an interview with a company that he had already had two phone interviews with, and we were hopeful but nervous of the outcome. We were scheduled to leave to the Bahamas the next day, and I was really hoping that Jason wouldn't be feeling too stressed about how the interview went during our week in paradise! After his interview, he called me and we were chatting about how it went as we often do after something like this. I was waiting in line at the pharmacy at Haggen, when he got another call from a number he didn't recognize. He told me he would call me back, and took the call. Minutes later, he called me and gave me news that literally made me scream out of excitement and jump up and down, right there in the pharmacy line, soliciting some curious looks. He got the job. We couldn't be more thrilled. It is a great company, and one that Jason has been interested in for quite some time. We know how blessed we are to have found employment with the current state of the economy, and although this job will be moving us a couple of hours away from my family and friends, we are beyond grateful.

Needless to say, we really were able to relax and enjoy ourselves on our trip. We stayed busy which helped distract me from how very much I missed the girls. It was not easy for me to leave them. I think I cried the whole way to the airport, as well as anytime I saw a child or baby or family...but we really did have a great time. We slept in, ate extremely delicious and fresh seafood, sunbathed, waterparked, snorkeled, and most of all just enjoyed spending time together without any distractions.

We were both reminded of how much we missed each other and how much we really do kind of like each other! Jason makes me laugh like no other and encourages me to get out of my comfort zone and have fun. We were on an island with absolutely no one we knew, so we could act goofy without anyone questioning us. Most people probably didn't even know that our "fancy" drinks were just virgin pina coladas...we had so much fun!

I highly recommend Nassau Island to anyone looking to get away. There is a really fun feeling of culture there - we felt like we were at a party everywhere we went - lots of music, good food, and people having a great time. The famous Atlantis Resort is there, which was quite a bit out of our budget, but our hotel was just a walk away, and we enjoyed free access to all of the amenities. A good deal, in my opinion.

In all reality, we could have had a picnic on our living room floor and I would have enjoyed the time spent with Jason just as much. (Don't tell that to Jason's wallet.) But a little sun and a little sand never hurt anyone. =)

Now...back to reality. The adjustment from relaxing all day on the beach with views of crystal clear water to packing up our lives and starting somewhere else was a little harsh, I won't lie. But, we are so excited and hopeful for the future. We are moving this weekend, and we still don't have a place to call our own just yet. Yeah, a little crazy, but I always did enjoy the reaction I got from the more serious "planners" when I told them I was doing something spontaneous. That indulges me a little bit, while the more serious side of me is in the zone. It'll work out. I'm excited.

(I have some better-quality pictures to share, but I fear that my camera has already been packed up. Although, they are mostly boring - scenery, just one of us, or the old reach and click with just our up-close faces. Not very flattering. Did you know that it is hard to take pictures of yourselves doing fun things when it is just the two of you? I was not prepared for that.)

"Grawation"

Welp...he did it! WE did it. Graduation has come and gone and MAN, does it feel good. Jason's parents (love you guys!) were able to come visit us for a couple days for graduation and we had nothing short of a great time. I think I was running on adrenalin and "high off life" feelings the whole time. I hadn't been getting anything that even resembles good sleep for quite a while prior to that week (thank you, Reagan's night terrors), but I couldn't have been happier, more peaceful, or more proud of Jason for what he has accomplished.

We are not your typical "college family." In fact, I have to believe that very few of Jason's classmates are married, let alone have kids. For me, his graduation was that much sweeter because it means so much to us that he was able to receive a quality education, and he was able to share the experience with those of us who love him dearly and who will directly benefit from his hard work.

The day before graduation, Jason was invited to a ceremony to honor him for being chosen as the "Outstanding Finance and Marketing student" from Western. A student was chosen from each department, which totals out to be 33 students out of about 4,000 that graduated this year. To say the least, I was so incredibly proud to be there accompanying him. I know how hard he has worked, and most people there had absolutely zero clue that he did so while keeping his wife happy and raising two darling little girls who are the apple of his eye, while working full time. I won't go on for fear of sounding too boastful, but nothing beats having others recognize the man you love for the great things you have known about him all along. I love that guy, and I am so lucky.

Graduation was satisfying...and long. We kept ourselves entertained in the audience by pondering origins of the names being recited, cheering loudly for people we did not know, and finding delight in the fact that you could absolutely tell what department people were graduating from by looking at their hair, shoes, and personal grooming habits. College of the environment, anyone? =)

All jokes aside, it was a wonderful occasion, and I was grateful for the opportunity to honor Jason, who is humble and doesn't ever ask for any recognition, despite deserving it more than anyone that I know. I know that working hard makes him happy because he loves me and loves our girls, and truly wants to provide for us in every sense of the word.

Reagan's Third

A fun little story - the day before Reagan's birthday (also the last day of college classes for Jason), we ate out at Red Robin to celebrate. Jason and I had decided on what to order, and I didn't even think twice that I would be telling our server that Reagan would have the "regular" for her - chicken strips. Yum.

Well, our server took our order and then looked at me and asked what Reagan would be having. Before I could speak, Reagan interrupted and said,

"Um...I will have the chicken nuggets."

Server: "Great! And what would you like with that?"

Reagan: "I'll have the fries."

Server: "And something to drink?"

Reagan: "I'll have lemonade." (Alright then! She knows what she wants!)

Then the server asked about Ember and, again, before I could answer,

Reagan: "I'll just share with my sister."

Glad she had that all figured out! We thought it was great that she ordered on her own, and even more special because she was turning 3 the next day. She is getting to be a big girl.

My little Reagy girl turned 3 at the beginning of the month. When I think of what I want to write here, I can't even begin to find the words to describe just how much I love her and the mom that she has helped me become. She has helped me love myself in ways that I could never even imagine, and I am forever grateful to her for teaching me so many things about parenting, life, and love.

Reagan has a vibrant passion for life that is unparalleled. She takes life head on and doesn't stop (literally, most days) for anything or anyone. Although this can be a challenge, I also love this about her. She is wonderfully stubborn, if that makes any sense. She knows who she is and is very confident in that. I find myself learning a lot from her sense of confidence and outgoing personality. She says it how it is, but has a way of doing so that is so sweet and innocent at the same time - this could mean trouble!

My girl is smart, and although I can take credit for a small portion of the things she knows, truth be told that most of it she just figures out on her own. She doesn't often let me be the teacher. Instead, she very elaborately explains every last detail of a book, movie, or what she needs me to do until I understand and do it right! I am often absolutely amazed by the things she remembers. She most definitely inherited her memory from Jason.

Reagan truly loves music. She loves to sing and loves to play the piano. She knows many primary songs and Disney princess songs from listening to music at night to help her fall asleep. She will break out into song at any given moment, no matter where we are. Sometimes I feel like I am in a musical - Reagan is the lead and I am a very small part. =) She has recently discovered her "fake vibrato" voice and isn't afraid to use it...much to our neighbor's delight/dismay. (I have yet to ask their opinion.)

She is also very loving. She gives her cuddles freely, and is never afraid to tell us how much she loves us. She is concerned when we are sad, and wants to know the reason behind every laugh. I love her for that.

She has recently really become more "in touch" with her spiritual side. I owe so much of this to her awesome nursery leaders and teachers at church. She has learned to recognize the spirit and tells me that she feels it "in her heart" when she hears a particular song, for instance, that rings true to her soul. She knows that it is the Holy Ghost and that it comes from heaven. There is nothing that brings me more joy than to know that she is beginning to understand these wonderful truths. My children are the closest thing I have to heaven, and Reagan plays a very important role in our family of bringing such a feeling of peace into our home.

Reagan has a big imagination. There are some days when she doesn't step out of "character" even once, and expects me to do the same. Sometimes, this big imagination gets the better of her. She has some pretty terrible night terrors that leave us both pretty shaken up a couple of nights a week. The line between what is real and what is fake is very thin for her, and I am constantly trying to figure out who I am supposed to be at any given moment. "Never a dull moment" would be quite the understatement!

She is my goofy girl and is always doing something to make us laugh - especially her sissy. Ember currently cannot get enough of Reagan and frankly, I don't blame her. She is a pretty special little girl and I am truly grateful to call her mine.

Memorial Day 2011

I am enthusiastic about most holidays. I look forward to the anticipation of them almost as much as the holidays themselves. My Dad often pokes fun at me because, apparently, every holiday is my "favorite" or the "best ever." That may just be true. Memorial Day, however, encompasses all that is patriotic, traditional, and beautiful as far as holidays go, in my opinion.

For as long as I can remember, we have made Memorial Day special. I was lucky enough to grow up with a cemetery (more accurately a "memorial park") in my backyard, and I really mean that - I was lucky. Greenacres is beyond beautiful. It is scenic and picturesque, and absolutely does not disappoint for Memorial Day every year. The "Festival of Flags" is held every year - 1500 American (and some Canadian and perhaps others) flags donated by passed Veterans' families, in their honor, line the winding roads of the cemetery.

We enjoy sitting on the swinging bench on my parents' patio in their backyard and watching the flags go up every year - and then down the evening of Memorial Day. It is truly awe-inspiring. I drink in the patriotism and feeling of Americana that exists on those beautiful spring days in May. Every "I'm proud to be an American" that I hear on the radio brings me to tears, and, as cliche' as it may sound, I really am proud. There is something about Memorial Day that really gets me thinking about how many blessings and luxuries I enjoy. I love being able to see my little girls, mini-flag replicas in hand, run around my parents back yard, giggling - they are beautiful. And more importantly, they are safe. I owe that to those that have served and are serving our country overseas.

There are other "veterans" that I am grateful for on the home front - perhaps not even in the military at all. But, those that are willing to serve myself and my family and are willing to lay down their lives to create a legacy that I am able to enjoy living under. Namely, my family, and especially my grandparents, as well as my ancestors that have passed on. I am incredibly grateful to them as well - and most of them I have never "met" - although I have most definitely felt their presence.

The morning of Memorial Day, we strolled along through the cemetery in the crisp, dewy weather that precedes what is usually a fairly sunny, albeit windy, day. We visit the grave sites of those family members that have passed on, share memories, and hear stories from my wonderful Grandpa Pratt. He knows these stories inside and out, and no matter how many times I hear them, I find myself so grateful for the family that I have been blessed to belong to. These times are precious to me. My Grandma helps Reagan adorn the graves with fresh cut Rhododendron from her garden, and all is well.

It was a beautiful day.

Whit's Visit

Back in May (wow - I am behind) my best friend Whitney visited us with her beautiful little girl Sawyer. Who visits rainy Washington FROM Southern California? Best friends do, that's who. I am so lucky to know this girl. It's crazy how time flies. I didn't know her 6 years ago when she became my roommate at the lovely (read:ghetto) Liberty Square apartments in Provo. She was and is beautiful and I was intimidated, wondering how she could ever be friends with little old plain me.

We have now been best friends for years, and I secretly really do feel like we were meant to be sisters. She has been there for me through thick and thin, and I like to think that she would say the same. =) The weather was beautiful and in the 70's the whole time she was here, and then gave her a true taste of Pacific Northwest rain and gloom the day she left.

Truth is, I feel extremely lucky to call her my friend, and I hope she knows that. Her visit was timed perfectly because it was during the "thick" of Jason's finals and I had only been seeing him for a few hours a week. I was feeling really lonely and craved some good ol' fashion girl time. We talked and laughed into the wee hours of the night and probably cried a little bit too. Oh...and enjoyed a yummy Wendy's Oreo blended frosty (before they discontinued them! So sad) with fries one night at about midnight without even feeling guilty because calories don't count when you're having a blast with friends. Didn't you know?

It was a quick trip, but I am so glad it happened. I do not have many friends but the ones that I do are eternal ones. I am lucky.