Brokenhearted

I would have to say that I move a lot. I've moved 11 times since I've been married and that will be five years this coming May. It hasn't been the easiest road but I got used to living with very little and quickly packing things up as we went. Some moves were easier than others because they were close by. Others were to different states and eventually across the country. I was never sad about moving and always faced it with adventure (even if it meant living out of a box most of the time). Until now.

Moving to Center City Philadelphia was one of the best things that Kevin and I have ever done for ourselves. Yes, our parents told us not to move here. Yes, we were crazy. Yes, we never thought we would live here. Two kids from Utah who really hadn't spent much time in Philadelphia before moving there, made the plunge.

But that was just it. The city of Brotherly Love wasn't judgmental of our past, in fact we found that it embraced it. Philadelphia is not any ordinary city, if you can make it here, you can pretty much make it anywhere. No one judged us by our past, they only wanted to see if we could make it now.

Thank goodness, we did more than just make it. Philadelphia is where we rebuilt our relationship, redefined our marriage, lived with very little, got by on nothing but love, kindness, forgiveness and sweet moments. No, it hasn't always been easy. There have been numerous breakdowns on my part, but I have never felt more loved and respected than I have here. Plus, there was Kevin's long commute, two hours driving or an hour on the train. Both long and taxing.

There's also something about being able to walk outside of our apartment and to be right there in middle of everything. I thrive off of the city, being able to take evening walks, always headed in a new direction. When the weather was warmer, it was nice to walk past so many historical sites and to find different murals on the walls of old buildings.

Philadelphia is where we decided we were going to be an official family, making room for a little one.

It breaks my heart to have to move out of the city. Not to mention, the building we live in. It's convenient and we've made our small, unfurnished apartment ours.

It's funny how we get attached to things, isn't it?

In all the moves I've made, this is the first I've been able to really call home. I'm so heartbroken that I have to leave it.

This is where we grew to become a family. Philadelphia healed our hearts and brought us back together forever. 

xoxo

What I Love About You

I am giddy with anticipation because Kevin is on his way! He's moving to Philadelphia permanently and I cannot wait for him to get here. Just a day of work and then I get to pick him up at the airport tonight. So, in honor of him moving across the country for me. . . it's high time I posted a few things about why I love him.

I love you Kevin. Thank you for being the love of my life.

I cannot wait for him to get here! 

xoxo

Top illustration from The Kinch Life.

My Funny Valentine

He finally came to Philly.

And what did I do? Leave my camera out of the weekend except for those two lovelies at the top. Funny how that worked because I meant to get an updated picture of the two of us so everyone could get used to seeing us together again.

It started with Valentine's dinner at the Shake Shack. My stomach loves their cheese fries.

The next day was work (insert frown) and then a sweet dinner with family. Then Saturday, we spent the day sneaking in all the warm snuggling possible-- I couldn't get enough and it was quite the cold day. We took an adventure over to Reading Terminal Market, I swear I'll bring my camera the next time we go. It's an amazing market filled with every type of food you want to it eat. Yes, they have (fill in the blank). Later that night, Kevin swept me off my feet at a Valentine's dance where I snapped the pictures above. From there Sunday was church and dinner with friends. Sweet Angel made her famous potato gnocchi. I am a fan and could eat it every night.

Managed to find a photo of the famous potato gnoochi!

The weekend went by too quickly (as it always does)! It was dreamy with real love, not the fake kind like in the movies, with real people. It was about us-- what we've been through, lost and accomplished. Everything that matters.

I can't wait till Kevin comes to stay! (He promised blogging trip adventures and said he would make sure I brought my camera). It will be oh so sweet and I won't dread waking up in the mornings without him.

xoxo

Nine Loves

Nine loves of mine that you may or may not know. . .

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1. Color. I love color, especially when it is organized.

2. Photography. Especially when it's a toy like my Instax. Although, I dream of owning this camera. Someday, one day.

3. Books. Lots and lots of books. I have to visit at Barnes and Noble at least once a month. Next on my reading list: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Nothing like a good book to take you away on an adventure.

4. Light.

5. Ice Cream. A family legend goes something like this--my family went out for ice cream one evening which was not uncommon while we lived in Dallas, Texas. At the time I was two, my parents ordered me a chocolate kiddie cone, I was in heaven. Apparently, I ate it really quickly and my mom was sitting right next to me. She was talking with my dad holding her ice cream cone and not eating it. So in my little two-year-old mind, I wanted more and she had it. I just took a bite out of it and she didn't notice until I ate a good portion of her cone (she was still holding it). To this day, I still finish my mom's ice cream when I'm with her.

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6. Playing the piano. There's nothing like singing my heart out on a terrible day and letting go.

7. This girl. Every time she runs up to me I laugh and smile. She reminds me what I was like when I was younger at times.   

8. New York City. I love, love that city.

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9. JOY. After all, it's what I love to write about.

linking up with:

A little crazy thing we call love. . .

Oh, Sweet Love from Amazing Grapes

Hi sweet readers! I’m Emily from Amazing Grapes.
When Lisa asked me to talk about what brings me joy, it came at a crazy moment. My Dad just had a heart attack, 
I was supposed to go to Hawaii and everything around me was beyond chaotic.

After everything calmed down, I was having a hard time thinking of what truly brings me joy. 

Sure so many things make me happy but what can I honestly say brings me joy…and often!?

Right at that moment, my phone began to ring and when I saw it was G-man (my love) calling in the middle of the day 
(which is a rare thing) I knew my answer.

Is it corny? –yes. Is it cheesy? –sure. But is it true? –absolutely!

G-man brings me joy. Seeing his name and picture light up my phone as he calls, hearing him say ‘I love you’, 

having him ask, ‘have I told you “you’re hot” yet today?’ just makes my heart jump for joy.

My mom has told me many times over that I have a unique one. I have a man who does the dishes after every meal I cook and sometimes after he cooks. A man who gets ‘upset’ if I begin to help by starting to clean up, because he wants me to relax and enjoy the rest of the night even though he was the one that worked all day. A man who’ll tackle the bathroom because he knows that’s the one room I hate cleaning.

A man who will almost get into a fight on an airplane while we’re 30,000ft. up because little miss Emily couldn’t keep her mouth shut to a rude passenger sitting next to us. {I’ve since learned to keep quiet}

I’ve grown so much as a person since being with him. Learning and seeing and doing new things. Like communication. Something I didn’t know how to do until he came along and I have to say the joy I get from being able to communicate a problem I have the moment it pops up, is phenomenal!! ..and freeing!!

I’m so thankful he’s in my life. I can’t imagine life without him and all the experiences I’ve had with him have truly been a blessing.

For the record, I hadn’t intended for this to be a gusher post, so hopefully I haven’t left you gagging on your keyboards, I just love the man a tiny bit…even if he is unwilling to let me share any pictures of him on the internet. So if you happen to swing over to my side of the web world, expect to see lots of arm, leg, hand pictures…pretty much everything but his face.

case in point…

Yep, its maddening but one day..I plan on wooing him into picture submission. 

Operation Picture Submission has commenced!

Readers, 

I couldn't help but share this on Valentines!

Thanks so much to Emily for sharing her talents with us.

Her blog is one of my inspirations. 

Be sure to visit and share some joy!

Husband's Valentine

He wrote,

I 

sqrt(cos(x))cos(300x)+sqr(abs(x))-0.7)(4-x*x)^0.01, sqrt(6-x^2), -sqrt(6-x^2)

 from -4.5 to 4.5

my wife.

And if you Google it, it comes up with:

Love it and I love my man. 

Happy Valentines Day to my readers!

Remember, you are loved in more ways than one.

A Sweet Reminder

I've been struggling a lot lately.

It's the main reason why this blog has been a little empty the past week.

I became really busy and very overwhelmed.

It made me question a lot of things in my life and if everything that I did was a failure.

But then I was reminded something most important to me and it made me smile.

And just so you know, I am doing much better.

This was on our fridge from Kevin, meaning, "I love you more."

It reminded me that my husband loves me plus why I am doing
what I am doing and that for now, it's my best.

Most importantly, he supports me and reminds me that I'm not a failure.
And I love him most.

linking up with:

Wordless Wednesday-Christmas Love

I love you notes

This last weekend, I was in Nordstrom buying some tights for the cold weather ahead

when I found these cute cards. 

What a perfect idea to remind someone how much you love them.

Here are some of my favorites. 

Happy Monday Friends!

"I finally understood what true love meant. . .

 love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than 

your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be."

~Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

L-O-V-E

That is one word that has been complicated for me lately.

This last weekend I went to my friend Dani's wedding.

It was gorgeous and beautiful.

The ceremony was one of the best that I had been to in a long time.

You could really tell that the bride and groom will be forever committed to each other.

And that they really do love each other in a way that words cannot explain. 

Father and Daughter dance. So fun.

I regret not having any dancing at my wedding.

Back to l-o-v-e.
Like I said, I'm not sure what that word means,
or how to truly give love.

But I watched it happen this last weekend.
Something I need to work on or maybe it just happens.
Like in Sleepless in Seattle, "Magic."

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails."
-1 Corinthians 13, NIV

Joyful Moments-Love

Maybe you're like me and have needed an extra boost lately.

If so, today's Joyful Moment is for you!

Please, remember that you are loved.

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Yes, you are very much loved.

Remember that a Joyful Moment can be anything.

Post your blog entry below and don't forget to grab a button on the right.

Hooray, it's Friday!

Looking forward to reading your blogs over the weekend.

Embrace the Camera Day-On Photography

Lately, I have been spending a lot of my time reading Susan Sontag's On Photography.It is the best book about photography, period.If you don't have one, you need to.
She has inspired me to see the world differently in a more beautiful way.Yesterday, I stopped and looked, this is what I found.My husband, right next to me.I love it.

This says so much about how different we are but yet the same.He likes things to be plain and practical.She likes things to be comfy, cute and girly.He likes brown.She likes black.He has big feet.She has little feet.Both love jeans.They LOVE to being together.
Each still photograph is a privileged moment, turned into a slim object that one can keep and look again.~Susan Sontag  

Embrace the Camera-I'm in LOVE.

It's the month for love.

I'm in love with Kevin (as you already know).

But I'm also currently in LOVE with these new pictures.

Yesterday, Kevin and I drove down to Provo to meet the amazing Justin Hackworth.

And we embraced the camera, big time.

Kevin recently said, "no more paying photographers because I have the Chandler smile."

I laughed but I knew it would be time to update our pictures once again this year.

Little did he know what I had planned up my sleeve.

Time to update our profile pictures. ;)

No Chandler smiles here!

Actually, this was the BEST photo shoot we've ever done.

And no, I'm not getting paid to write this, it's the truth!

Why?

1. Justin actually took the time to get to know us. This is the first and only time a photographer sat down and got know us!

2. He really listened and laughed with us (even though I stumbled over my thoughts, studying long hours of communication law will do that you).

3. We felt like we had gained a new friend.

4. No stupid twist your arm that way, stand on one leg, bend your knee a little bit more (btw, I'm about to fall over), and now smile poses.

5. Like I said, no Chandler smiles.

6. Easy, fast, better than I hoped for. Did I mention these were just done yesterday?

Justin's site is found here. 

They turned out great!

Wouldn't you agree? 

That's why I'm in LOVE.

These pictures make me smile and bring me JOY!

Because we're in LOVE.

I LOVE IT! 

{Come back tomorrow to see my most favorite picture from 

the shoot and to link up your Joyful Moment}

Embrace the Camera Day

The other night, we had so much fun.

It was a great "let's go out on a date" to make you smile.

And it worked.

It ended with hot chocolate dunks.

Thanks to my brother-in-law Tyler.

He taught us all about it over Christmas break.

If you haven't heard of this, you're going to love it.

Especially if you LOVE hot chocolate as much as I do! 

Start out with your best UTE jammers.

Grab the hot chocolate and favorite snowman mugs (thanks Christina).

Then grab the Keebler's Fudge Shoppe Deluxe Grahams

Take a cookie and take a bite on the top of it.

Take another bite on the bottom of the cookie.

Now, here comes the tricky part. Hold the cookie in your mouth and sip like a straw. The hot chocolate will go through the graham cracker.

Then before the rest of the cookie melts, stick it back in your mouth for some chocolate-ty goodness!

It's ohh sooo good.

There are only smiles here!

What a way to end the night. Kevin and I feel very blessed to have each other.

He has been my knight in shining armor many times.

I believe that night topped them all because Kevin brought me lots of light in the middle of darkness.

I was happy. Really happy.

Kevin, I love you more every single day.

In marriage, each partner is to be an encourager rather than a critic, a forgiver rather than a collector of hurts, an enabler rather than a reformer.

~Norman Wright and Gary Oliver