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it seems so unreal to me that we have already been married for a year. 

that day seems like yesterday, yet so long ago all at the same time.

we learned and experienced so much this past year. 

we had really good times and we had really hard times. 

we laughed.

we cried.

we fought.

everyone says that the first year of marriage is the hardest. i'm not here to agree or disagree with that statement, but i am here to tell you that marriage is not easy. 

it is really hard.

and perfectly worth it.

i get to spend everyday with my love, my friend.

i get to share all my life experiences with him.

i get to cook for him and clean for him and be his wife. 

and i absolutely love that.

the good times are absolutely worth all the bad times.

life is better with James.

so here's to year one.

we FINALLY got to eat the top layer of our wedding cake.

&

it was yuuuuuum.

a house divided

^what we have here is beautiful rivalry^

James was born and raised a fan of the University of Utah.

I was born and raised (the right way) a cougar fan.

we both knew this clearly when we married each other.

and i'm completely okay with it!

it keeps football season at our house interesting.

^and sometimes i just like to make him happy^

the house divided wreath was super easy to make!

i just used a styrofoam wreath from hobby lobby, blue and red ribbon, and painted/glittered the wooden letters.

i used straight pins to secure the ribbons to the wreath and used hot glue to secure the letters.

you could also do it in just one color if your house isn't as competitive as ours!

happy crafting!

and happy football season! 

welcome fall

i love decorating our little home for each season or holiday.

fall is the greatest.

if i had hundreds of dollars to spend on seasonal decor, i would spend it in a heartbeat.

unfortunately i don't so i have to thrift my way through the holidays.

but that's okay! because i made some stinkin' cute diy decorations for the fall season, that i think look just as adorable as anything store bought. (correct me if i'm delusional)

is it just me or is that halloween banner the cutest thing you've ever seen?! love it. 

^and that plate?

and its just not fall without a little leaf garland.

caramel apple pops are a must have at our house.

there's truly nothing more delicious. 

welcome fall!

Goodbye August

Is it just me or did August fly by?

I was in hobby lobby the other day and their whole Christmas section is fully stocked.

Not to mention like every store in Utah has halloween decorations out too.

Makes my heart happy.

Fall is magical guys.

But that is besides the point...

I have had the best weekend with my honey.

We watched BYU and Utah both crush their opponents which was great.

Yesterday we went to a beautiful sealing in the Brigham City temple for one of James's fave mission companions. The last sealing I went to was my own and I don't remember a thing the sealer said to us

(all i could think about was how excited and happy i was to marry my dreamy new husband)

so being able to listen to the words of someone else's sealing was really amazing.

I think we forget how blessed we are sometimes.

Oh and congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Gardner.

We went to the new AMC movie theater in layton on our way home and saw guardians of the galaxy...

James loved it... I fell asleep.

i say save your money...

HOWEVER i highly recommend you go to this theater sometime in your life.

the seats are full blown leather recliner love seats.

I was in movie heaven.

and to top it all off James took me out to the most romantic dinner for my birthday.

if you've never been to melting pot i strongly suggest you go.

aaaaand that's about all for now.

I Stand All Amazed

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified.

That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died.

Oh it is wonderful

that He should care for me 

enough to die for me.

Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

Happy Birthday America!

The 4th of July is one of the best holidays. 

The colors, the food, and of course celebrating our beautiful country and freedom.

This year we spent the 4th with James's family and had a to die for dutch oven dinner, and then headed over to Holladay for fireworks. 

[who else thinks playing Phantom of the Opera during fireworks is a total mood killer]

My darling sister and I did a mini photo op.

^^uhhhh what do we do about this^^

and of course I had to snap a few of Hank.

Because what's more patriotic than a retriever in a bandana?

And of course I made some goodies to celebrate!!!

Being honest here...

When you get married, you basically get poor.

It's the unfortunate truth.

Which is why I DIY basically everything.

I love having a little place of our own to decorate just how I like. With each holiday I find myself dyyyyyyying to decorate accordingly! 

Sooo I made some 4th of July decorations this year to show just how patriotic we can be.

The first one is this wreath.

I actually got the idea from a lady in my ward, and it's all over pinterest and etsy too. But why buy from someone else if you can make your own?!

I went to Michael's and bought one of those green foam wreaths (you could also use a pool noodle), red, white, and blue yarn, and white felt. Then I used a hot glue gun to secure the yarn down, and wrapped sections of each color (make sure to wrap TIGHT) around the wreath. Then I cut out stars from the felt and glued those on the blue section. Super easy and it only took about an hour!

The second is this candle.

This idea just popped into my head one day when I was super bored actually.

I already had the supplies so I winged it and I think it's adorable.

I used wood craft sticks, sort of like popsicle sticks but smaller, painted them red, white, and blue, and then hot glued them onto a candle I already had. Then I drew the stars on with a white chalk marker, and tied some ribbon on. 

The next obviously isn't a decoration. 

But I made it. And it tastes good. So i'll share.

How darling is that?! 

The recipe for the cake:

-2 cups + 2 tbs flour

-11/2 cups Sugar, less 1 tbs

-1 tbs baking powder

-1 tsp salt

[mix dry ingredients + add]

-1/2 cup shortening

-1 cup milk

-1 tsp vanilla

[beat + add]

-3 eggs

[beat + pour into a greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes]

You could use your own recipe or a box mix, but seriously... this cake is a 10.

Once it cools, frost with any white frosting and arrange the strawberries and blueberries to look like our beautiful flag. Then add coconut flakes to the empty white spots. 

Delicious. 

..........

Lastly,

You can't celebrate America without doughnuts.

Covered in patriotic sprinkles to be precise.

Happy Birthday America!!!