time seems to go by much slower when he's gone

i'm cold

and i miss my husband. 

devin has been gone since yesterday and won't be back until tomorrow. 

i hate it when he does that.

but i love him for it. 

he's helping his dad with a scout trip.

always helping. 

such a good example to me. 

i just want him to come home so he can kiss my forehead and comment on how cold my feet are when we get into bed early, like usual.

watching the office is less funny without him. 

over here, over here! (+5 things)

did you notice? today, i am guest posting on one of the funniest blogs, written by one of my favorite people: Danica! our husbands are BFFs. and we share a mutual obsession of The Office. did i mention she's hilarious? you should read her blog today, and always.

anyway, click HERE to read about my favorite way to stay in shape, as a part of Danica's Fitness Series to help us all get motivated in our own ways to do the same!

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in other news...

ever since I got caught up on all my drafts after our Anniversary trip, not much has been going on. We've just been doing our normal things. Lots of thinking going on lately though.. for example:

1. have I really been married for 1 whole year to Devin Ashby? i'm so lucky, it blows my mind!

2. we have decided to casually start looking for pet-friendly apartments. which obviously shows how badly we want a dog, because we are pretty much living the cheap newlywed dream over here at the APT. but seriously, i need a dog immediately. i will go nuts. i look at these guys all day long:

so if you happen to know of any awesome apartments (complexes or basements), a little further north (Lehi/Draper/Sandy area) that allow us to get one of these guys, I will give you anything you want. seriously. (maybe not, but i'd definitely consider, and I would love you).

3. we did get a small bit of our puppy-hungry fix when we got a phone call from brandon's roommate, Tom 2 weekends ago. you see, Brandon was in new england for a few weeks with amy, and left the dogs at home with his roommate, who decided to go out of town, as well, so he called us, because brandon left our number, just in case. this also happened to be the same weekend that devin's parents were out of town with amanda and jason and the babies. we ended up staying at devin's parents for a night with the dogs (since we can't have them at our place) and it was pretty fun. not the best night's sleep (koda slept ON ME. not next to me, not resting her head on me, she was on top of me. she's convinced she's a lap dog), but Riley and Koda are such good dogs, and they make it easy. it made for a fun weekend!

4. devin has been commissioned to build a program for Momentum. seriously. this is exactly the kind of thing we were hoping for when we took the huge risk of deciding to have him take the job. it wasn't an easy decision, but it has proved to be the right decision ever since he started! i am so excited for him to gain this experience, to use what he learns at school to build this program, and to use what he learns from building the program at school. we couldn't be more excited for this!

5. cookie dough balls. did you see that photo in my week via iphone? here it is again:

these things are amazing. cookie dough is basically the only reason I even like to bake, but it's hard not to feel guilty (and really sick, if you eat as much cookie dough as I do!) when you're eating the raw eggs - that according to "them" are so diseased and things. BUT, some genius found the solution and invented edible, egg-less cookie dough. which i took the liberty of forming into bite sized balls, and smothering with chocolate - it's the only way, right? anyway, here's the recipe. it's so easy, and you can do it in about 30 minutes total (including forming all the balls)

Ingredients:

1 stick softened butter

1/4 sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup chocolate chips (mini work better for the balls, I hear)

1/2 tsp salt (i used sea salt. because i like salty cookies)

Steps:

1. beat butter and sugars together until light and fluffy

2. mix in milk and vanilla

3. mix in flour and salt

4. stir in chocolate chips

5. cover cookie sheets with wax paper

6. scoop or roll dough into bite-sized balls (I used a 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon, and sort of just whacked it on the sheet to get it to come out, and it worked great. plus, i like the look of the scoop, over the look of the rolled ones. they look less oily, and more like ice cream)

7. melt chocolate:

     - i threw some chocolate chips in a small saucepan that was on medium heat (I don't measure things, but it was maybe 1/2 cup - not much), I added maybe 1 1/2 tbsp of crisco (this is the secret nobody tells you about!) and stir CONSTANTLY until you have really runny chocolate. it takes about 1 minute, so you really need to stir it, or else it will cease up or burn. I used a funnel and poured it into a condiment squirty thing we got at bed bath and beyond. it looks like a restaurant ketchup bottle, with a tiny little spout, and I immediately went over the bites with a few drizzles of the chocolate.

8. refrigerate. they will get firm within about 30 minutes, maybe less depending on how cold you keep your fridge (we tend to accidentally freeze eggs in the fridge sometimes) - but you can leave them in there forever.

-they do soften up pretty fast once you pull them out, so if you have leftovers (what are those?), you want to keep them in the fridge, for when you husband needs a midnight snack (he will). 

also, during this little cookie dough craze we've been having (i've made these several times since I found the recipe), devin and I discovered that we both prefer cookie dough without the chocolate chips - which is mostly funny, because the only reason I even put chocolate chips in them, was because I know how much he loves chocolate! we're totally going to be the kind of old people that start to look alike the longer they're together.

you're welcome. 

Fathers

There really aren't many words to describe the kind of love I have for my father. I have so much respect for the man he is, and the way he has raised my siblings and I. He is one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He is so full of humility. He is always ready to listen and give advice. The most heart felt conversations I have ever had with him happened in the early hours of the morning, when neither of us could sleep. My dad was always there. He was advising me what to do every step of the way in my life, even when I wasn't willing to listen, but in the end, he was always right. I learned the hard way that he is always right, but the way he has raised me is the reason we are so close. He is one of the most influential people in my life, and always will be.

My sweet little brother surprised him and gave a talk in church today on Fathers - it was one of the most touching things I had ever seen. His talk was so genuine, filled with funny stories, and meaningful notes, and my cute dad just cried quietly. Happily. I so love that he is my Dad. 

  

As Devin and I got engaged and began planning our wedding, I immediately knew that I wanted to include a dance with my father, and shortly after making that decision, I knew I wanted my Dad to choose the song. I know him, and I know how much it meant to him. Our dance on my wedding day will always be one of the most treasured memories of my lifetime. 

And let's not forget my amazing father-in-law. Devin was raised in an amazing household, with great parents. I so hope I can parent my children the way they did, and Devin's stories of being raised by his parents are more proof. My father-in-law is so soft-spoken and thoughtful. He is always making sure others feel welcome and comfortable. He also has incredible work ethic. I remember meeting Devin's family, and feeling most welcomed by Gaylon, first. Of course, the rest of the family made me feel like I fit right in, but Devin's sweet father was the first to go out of his way to get to know me in a way that made me feel like we had been friends for years. It's always been that way. He's also one of the first people Devin and I like to consult when we have a big decision to make - and Gaylon is always willing to give an unbiased piece of advise, and let us see things from a different view. So grateful for him! 

to let time pass

it's not often that I have a lot to say, but when the house is empty and quiet, my thoughts really can't help themselves. and as nice as watching endless episodes of Friends is... it's just not cutting it tonight.

there is a lot going on right now. in life, in my mind. it feels like it's not something I'll ever catch up to. not necessarily in a bad way. it just sort of seems like we're in limbo. past events are well over: we've been married for a year, we have a nice place and steady jobs. no recent climatic things we're still catching our breath from. and then there's now: sort of a broken record kind of phase. mostly because there is so much going on in the near and distance future: buying a house, getting a dog, getting careers, having kids... it's a lot to look forward to, and i can't wait.

but it stresses me out! i feel like I'm getting impatient for things, even when I know that now is not the time. when i can feel that it's not time yet for those things. as much as i covet homeowners and dog owners and happily employed career women and mothers... it's just not time! but I still feel this sense of urgency to reach that point? is this just me? I'm going nuts! i feel like it's not happening as fast as it should, maybe. but i also know and feel like we're progressing just like we should. it's a lot to handle all at once, especially when I'm thinking about these things all the time. i wish i could just have it explained to me sometimes.

i feel like I'm at this spot in a book where I want so badly to ask someone who knows how it ends to tell me, so I can feel better, and stop feeling anxious - but I don't want to ruin the rest of the story. i don't want to spoil the ending. i like being surprised. it's harder than i thought, though. to wait. to let time pass. to save money. to advance in our schooling and jobs. to have a clearer idea of where we are, where we are going and where we want to end up. more answers, less wondering.

via

my week via iPhone

< making quinoa salad for a sunday dinner with friends
> spent the weekend with koda girl and gy guy

 
< love this couch; hate sleeping on this couch
> riley at work: barking at everyone pedestrian who goes down the path


< devin chasing the puppies around the yard
> some more Koda - she's the prettiest dog!


< Koda once again
> branched out from the usual "Touch of Sea Salt" and tried this. Loved it, except for the almond pieces. I don't like nuts in my chocolate.


< 6 coats to get to light pink - don't know how often i'll use this nail polish... too much work!
> I was so proud of myself when I made the bed while Devin was at work one night - he came home and I showed it off, and he almost immediately discovered that I put the sheets on sideways!


< a typical text conversation between devin and I
> remember Fictionist? they're awesome.

 
< climbed a LOT this week: red-pointed my first 10a on my second burn EVER - feeling pretty great!
> Jamie, the son of one of the other employees up in the mezzanine at the gym with a fake spider, scaring everybody - he got me!


< more cookie dough bites! made these for a potluck at work
> will never forget this day! helping friends build a fence, with the most confrontational, dramatic neighbors i've ever met! what a night! (by the way, that's 4 men, trying to turn on an auger... oh, boys!)


< stopped by the house on saturday and found this little one inviting us into her kiddie pool!
> this is what happened when I said "pose!"


< do I take enough pictures of Addison? I don't think so! haha she's too cute for words!

a little love note

Devin,

Thank you for being such an incredible husband - this week and always. But this week especially. You have been so incredibly sweet for absolutely no reason at all, and it has made me feel so loved.

Thank you for making me lunch when I came home for my break yesterday and today. You are a pro sandwich maker.

Thank you for cooking an amazing dinner last night - you are also pro at that.

Thank you for being so excited and supportive on Tuesday when I red-pointed my first 10a on my second burn ever. I couldn't have done it without you! Thank you for pushing me just enough in my climbing - we both know I've gotten so much better with your help! Thank you for constantly belaying me, and shouting encouragement (and beta, haha) when I'm struggling and tired. Thank you for including me in something you are so passionate about.

Thank you for taking me out for ice cream, and choosing to take it home to eat in bed while we watch Modern Family - exactly how I like it. 

And thank you for taking the time on your morning off to clean my giant mess in the kitchen, and the rest of the house, for that matter. 

You are amazing. I am so lucky to have you, and I love being your wife - you make it easy. 

Love, Katie

More Joe's!

remember how I just recently (not very recently anymore, but still) got my hands on our new camera to upload all the photos on it? in that process, I also uploaded some from Devin's iPhone - and found these gems from our climbing weekend in Joe's! climbing pictures of katie? what?! I obviously need to work on looking less like a weirdo, and more like a rock climbing. don't worry. i'm getting better. i really miss Joe's. we had such a fun time hanging out underneath giant, awesome boulders with great friends, and tasty junk food, and I really want to go back. Joe's is basically a canyon that is exclusively climbers. everyone sleeps in a van and spends all daylight hours bouldering. it's awesome.