my week via iPhone

it's been a long time since i did one of these, so this one is kind of long!

 

< jenga is INTENSE

> the funniest face - finally caught on camera

 

< my favorite face - puffed out lips

> can i have some hot chocolate with my marshmallows?

< it snowed like crazy and i took some really crappy pictures. it was cool, but i guess you just had to be there

> never ending christmas candy

 

< a favorite spot in the city

> that time it was 40 degrees and i sat outside in the sunshine without a coat on

 

< mountain view corridor views

> mr serious

 

< i love salt lake city. i love the buildlings.

> vanilla and raspberry macarons. why did it take me so long to try these things?

 

< and a pistachio one for the road

> i love this little junior

 

< this is what she did when i said "say cheese" - hahahaha!

> rotating favorites

 

< valentine nails

> a little cooper modeling

 

< gettin cozy

> paw prints in the snow

 

< he is such a hog

> devin meeting benny

< a pedicure with my sister in law
> seeing my sister and her husband's band perform in a yummy little restaurant in Hollady


< Addison's first haircut!
> favorite snack lately


< the cutest dog
> peptobismol toes


< we ate a frozen pizza for dinner
> product testing


< a valentine
> my other valentine


< somebody tell me how to melt chocolate
> this blue-eyed beauty was one of my lunch dates on friday


< max the mazda hit 100k!
> we stumbled upon our dream house, so now i'm obsessed. it's perfect. except that i want grey, not blue.


>< more haircut pictures


< kayla got her hair cut, too
> addi is SUCH a girly girl. she pouted until we let her carry the bags. she loves shopping!


excuse me, i'm sleeping.

all these little things

// letting me park my car in the garage in the winter, because it's warmer

// doing the dishes without saying a word

// taking me out to lunch on a week day

// staying within arm's reach to answer my every beck and call when i feel even the tiniest bit sick

// replying to whatever i say with office quotes on a regular basis

// cooking with me

// never failing to kiss me before bed, even if that means getting uncomfortable just to twist around for a quick peck

// the way you smile at me in the mirror while we're both getting ready in the morning

// when you tell me you miss me

// letting me get donuts at the grocery store

// giving me fashion advice

// praying with me, and for me

mr ashby, i'm in love with you. and all these little things. 

i'm glad you're my valentine.

it's been a good day

I feel like a lot of my good days lately are the result of feeling truly content with where I am in my life. It's been an ongoing struggle since forever, so when I finally feel like I'm right where I need to be, yes, it's a good day.

Maybe it's a little silly, but ever since that beautiful baby boy was born and I officially became an aunt x4, I've been very grateful and humbled and things just seem more important. That little Benny has brought our whole family a lot of blessings. We are all so glad he is here safe and healthy, and that he's as happy and beautiful as we had hoped. Getting a glimpse of motherhood, and just how precious those tiny humans are makes me realize how important life is. And how important it is for me to live my life the right way, right now. I'm not quite ready to me a mama yet, but watching my brother and sister in law figure out parenting and holding that sweet little Blue sure gets me excited about it.

My feelings of contentment usually come in the moments that I'm not doing anything but watching funny sitcoms on the couch with my husband and snugly, sleepy dog, eating brownies and ice cream. I'm glad it can be that simple, and this probably sounds even sillier, because I know, I know. Cooper is a dog. But, sometimes, people say puppies are like babies. And then sometimes I will compare my dog to my friends' kids and I sound and feel ridiculous, but he's as much a part of our little family as any child ever will be, and gosh darn it, I love that little guy. He's the greatest dog, and always so sweet. He makes being a dog mama pretty easy, and maybe it gives me an idea of what an actual baby will be like, in some ways. But I love it. I love spending our Sunday afternoon in the wind and snow with numb toes, just because cooper's in the middle of a major wrestling match with the german short hair at the dog park, and if we throw the ball just a few more times, I'm sure he'll be worn out and sleep while we get things done around the house. And I love tripping over him a hundred times a day, because he wants to be wherever I am. And I love sharing a blanket and a piece of toast with him. He's our little buddy, and honestly? One of the best friends I've ever had. He makes our life pretty grand over. here.

And I love that there is this wonderful man that goes out into the world each day, and he thinks about me. He works and lives a life I don't see much of, but he always comes back to me. He comes home to me. I love that. I love that sweet man I married more than anything in the world and I'm not sure any of the greatness that's been going on lately would be half as enjoyable without him around to share it with. We've made a pretty happy life for ourselves and I wouldn't trade it for a second. So, yes. It's been a good day. (The fact that it's a Monday aside...)

awesome things as of late

my sister and her husband buying a house.

thai food, waffles, and hot chocolate all in one evening with great friends.

lunch with kelli and sean at my favorite french bakery, and shopping with kelli afterward.

best deals on said shopping trip: $10 skinnies, $6 sunnies, $3 hair tie bows, $12 blouse, $11 gingham jammies, $4 bras... it was a gold mine!

falling in love with french macaroons. (don't worry, i had 3!)

a new nephew (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

the sweetest most wonderful moments with my husband, mid-sleepless-nights.

a quickly-healing, happy dog who loves to love and kiss and snug. (what up, rhyming?!)

red vans finally getting some wear with the warmer, less snowy weather! (i got them for christmas and haven't had a chance to wear them until recently!)

thai food, waffles and jenga all in another evening with other great friends. (we really love thai food from ekamai and waffles from bruge's. obviously. we're regulars...)

new phone case for dirt cheap in the mail.

so many orders of fries and frosty's.

girl's night with pizza and pitch perfect with my boss and the other girls at work (there are only 7 girls in our whole company!)

a spotless house.

visits with the babies.

finally finding starbucks hot chocolate packets (not as good as the real thing though).

oh, and a new nephew. (i can't help it, i'm so crazy about that kid! he is PERFECT!)