a post about choices.

Hi.  
Remember "Oh The Places You'll Go"?


"You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.


You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. 
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. 
Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. 
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest."



... Except when you don’t.
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.
You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch."

So. I've been feeing kinda lurchy lately.

Part of it is me being chemically imbalanced. An inevitability 

every 28 days. Too much info? Sorry. Actually, get over it.

...see?

A big part of it is missing my family.

I miss my sweet sisters, my ridiculous brothers, and my perfect parents.
I also miss my bb gun.

I think, however, the biggest part is trying to figure out the future.

{It also might have something to do with being something my friend ivy calls "hangry". 

This is, naturally, the combination of hunger and anger. 

My friends are funny. Also- I'm eating while I'm writing this, so don't be scared.}

It's hard. Remember a few posts ago when I was talking about living life to the fullest, and never letting anything hold you back regardless if you're single, married, rich, poor, tall, short, or strange? 

I probably mentioned something about rainbows and happy donkeys, too. 

Well, when I was writing that post, I wasn't in a lurch, and my emotions were at a normal level.

There are so many questions flooding my brain right now.

When is it time for me to be done with school? Should I be working right now so Gid can go to school full time? Should Gid and I both be working part time so we can both go to school? Should Gid and I both work full time so we can save money? Should Gid and I move? Should Gid and I get life insurance? Should we be writing our will right now? What if we die?? Should Gid and I be performers in the circus? Should I go to grad school in dance? Maybe I should have a baby? Should I go to grad school and then have a baby? Am I even ready to have a baby?I kicked a pidgin once, what if I'm a bad mom? Maybe we should get a puppy instead of a baby? Should we stay in idaho? Should we go to texas? Should we go to the other side of the country where we can really really be on on our own? Should we move to salmon and stay there for the rest of our lives? Should we become penniless world travelers? Should we adopt a baby? Should we be thinking about buying a house right now? Maybe I should learn how to play the cello? Perhaps we should take a cooking class together? No, nothing that costs money!

I was going to put all of these small questions into the shape of a question mark, and it was going to be a fabulous part of this post, but after trying one time I gave up, because I'd rather spend time finishing writing and then go straight to bed, and I don't want to waste time. ok? Ok. It was a cool idea though, right?

It makes it really hard to make a solid decision. We learn that true faith is walking to the edge of the light and a few steps into the dark, but that kind of seems like it comes from a scary movie. What if there is a bottomless pit just past the shadows? I'd really rather not fall in. 

I wish that I could have a flashlight to take with me while I'm exercising faith.

Just a little one; I'd even settle for one of those keychain lights. 

But that's not the way it works. In order for it to be true faith, we must walk into the unknown; with the soft guidance of the Lord gently pushing us into the right direction. He wouldn't let me fall into a bottomless pit. Even though I have a bottomless pit for a stomach. Now I'm getting side tracked...

wow. that sure looks tasty right now.

I know lots of people have been where I am right now: sitting on the couch late on evening, listening to soft music playing, their stomach growling and their brain furiously trying to figure out 

what on earth is the next chapter in their life. And I know some people have had even less of a clue than I do; so I'll most likely be ok. 

I've just got it in my head that in life there's only one right choice at a time. The truth is, there are several. I just want to pick the rightest choice, you know? The very rightest one available. I'm also hoping it will just come to me. Not in an impression, a feeling, or in a dream, but preferably in a handwritten letter (from Heavenly Father if possible) telling me exactly what to do and in what order.

What if there are two worthy choices? For instance- what do you do if you're in an ice cream shoppe, and your server asks you if you want a double scoop of white chocolate vanilla mousse sprinkled with gummy bears OR a mango sorbet with raspberries and blueberries on the side???? 

I think we can all agree that those are 

both worthy choices.

They're just different. It depends if I'm in a sweet sugary gummy bear mood, 

or if I'm in a more organic fruit eating mood.

Most days I'd prefer the gummy bears. 

But there are some days I wouldn't want anything but the mangos and raspberries. 

I supposed you can do both. But mangos taste kind of strange with gummy bears.

I've tried.

Thank goodness I know what is most important in life.

Thank goodness I know the truths that I do.

Thank goodness I have gideon.

Thank goodness for my family.

And thank goodness for my friends.

I'd be willing to take any advice anyone has to offer on methods of how to make big choices. I'm just going to put that out there.

Anyway, I've never been more desperate for conference. 

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I know I will.

Happy Thursday, treasured friends. 

Next time you think about being sad...

I dare you to watch this.

Today, I experimented with some clips I took several weeks ago at a family reunion, 

and this was the finished product. 

I find I don't feel anything but happy when I watch it.

So I plan on watching it about 4 times an hour.

Isn't family the best thing ever?

Happy Monday to you, dear friends.

Dance Log 5

Announcement!

I almost skipped Thursday's class for several reasons:

1- I couldn't find anything clean to put on my feet, and there is a strict "no bare skin touching the floor" policy.

2- I've been feeling under the weather lately.

3- I've been feeling tight in the leotard lately. 

(Yes. I'm insinuating that I've been eating too many biscuits.)

Eventually, I grabbed a pair a dirty socks (being washed even as we speak), then, taking a deep breath, got my leotard and tights on, and went to ballet. And do you know what happened??

My teacher told me that my arms had improved greatly.

Then afterwards she said, "well, that one is still flailing about, but your left on is ok, I suppose."

Then, while we were doing combinations across the floor, my teacher was yelling at me, following behind closely while I danced. The third time I went, she stopped half way across the floor, and then in a (could it be?) pleasant shout, she exclaimed, "Yes, you're doing it, alyssa! You're doing it well!" The second sentence seemed more like a question than a statement, but then she repeated it in a more confident tone, "You're doing it well!"

You guys, I'm getting better!!!

The group who went after me (all swans, of course), gracefully did the combination with ultimate ease, but it didn't keep me from beaming. I tried to pretend to not be totally proud of myself, but I think the whispers of encouragement to myself, and the patting of my own back probably gave it away. Oh well. It was worth being excited about.  

My teacher thought I did something well. 

I'm so glad I didn't let a pair of dirty socks keep me from kicking some serious tutu today.

Extraordinary.

I got to see a darling dancer friend of mine. Gid and I were lucky enough to have her in our tiny little home overnight. I was so sad when I got back from work and the blow up mattress was put away neatly by my sweet husband. I love having friends visit. Hint.

Anyway, I just loved catching up with her; learning about what is going on in her life. Part of me just envies friends who have graduated college and are single (such as this friend). She kept saying things like, "I don't know what to do!" I, {trying not to exclaim} would say, "Anything you want! The world is at your feet! There's grad school, traveling, internships, classes, interesting jobs to apply for, family to visit! See the world! You can do anything you want!!" Of course, I know if I were in her shoes, I'd be asking the same questions. It's so easy to think that you'd know exactly what to do if you were in someone else's situation, isn't it?

I've convinced myself that if I were single I would be doing something really extraordinary; serving a mission, living in some faraway land, or performing on some stage. And I've managed to convince myself of these things without explaining how exactly I would do it. How would I pay for it? How would I plan for it?

How would I have the courage to do it all by myself?

For some reason, since I've gotten married, I've felt limited to my options. Obviously, things change when you get married; instead of one schedule you have to juggle two, there's twice as much food to be made, and twice as much laundry to be cleaned. (There's a little more to it than just that.) But that shouldn't change your ambitions, right? I don't think so. It shouldn't keep you from taking life in a huge breath and letting it fill you completely.

I've decided that it's best to make whatever life you live an adventure regardless if you're living in boise idaho, and not traveling around the world.

I've also decided that in heaven, I'll be able to travel all over the world, and it won't cost as much. But when I look back on this life, I hope I see myself doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

Let's make a pact to live life with ambition and excitement wherever we are friends, ok? Ok.

I think that would truly be extraordinary.

Dance Log 4

Today was the first day I actually considered leaving early.

I'm not sure if any of you readers are gymnasts, but for those of you who are, you know those days when you can't stay on the beam to save your life? It has nothing to do with that time of the month, or who you are or aren't dating, it's just this weird thing that sometimes happens. Our coach would be like, "ok, since you're having an "off beam" day, let's send you to conditioning instead."

Today was an "off ballet" day. 

I just couldn't stay on. The combinations (which were actually really simple) were throwing me off like crazy, and I kept thinking that a root beer float sounded a lot better than adagios. No wonder I'm so skinny. At one point, we were all crowded in the corner, and I actually almost grabbed my stuff and snuck out the door. I somehow managed to stay during the entire class (plus five minutes after because my teacher wasn't satisfied with our final combination).

During hard days like this, I have to remember two very important things:
a) Fortitude builds character (as I learned from Calvin and Hobbes growing up)
b) I can do hard things. No really, I can.

No. Really.

No, Alyssa.
I really really can.

Let's all tell ourselves that when we want to bail out (with a root beer float nonetheless) from something containing an ounce of self control, ok friends? Ok.

Happy Tuesday.




ps- I should mention something, friends. Although today was an off day, it's also the first day in a long time that I've started really re-considering auditioning for grad school again.

So I guess it wasn't too much of an off day. Right?

Him and Me

Lots of people think that gideon and I have some sort of perfect story: we met on a performing company, instantly fell in love on stage (with gorgeous lighting and live music playing), and have been madly in love ever since.

Um. Lots of people are wrong.

A few weeks ago, I sat, talking to a friend of mine. She, in tears, expressed her frustration in men, and said something along the lines of, "you don't understand. Look at you and gid. You guys have this perfect relationship. You've probably never had a real argument since you've met." I felt immediately obligated to correct that stipulation. Gideon and I are crazy in love, and we are so happy to be married, but I don't think there is any worthwhile relationship that didn't have at least a few bumps along the way.

Now, I'm perfectly capable of sitting down and talking for 72 hours straight, only taking breaks for air and occasionally sips of water, but I don't want to put anyone through that. So I've come up with an alternate plan: I sat down and figured out the 15 most significant days from the first day I met Gid to now. I feel that the details I've included aren't too personal (and I had gideon approve them). The purpose of this isn't to be obnoxious (and if you feel it is, I invite you to find another post). It's purpose is to show that everyone has struggles. That's part of the plan. Without struggle, there wouldn't be any triumph.

Ok. Let's start at the beginning. As Julie Andrews tells us, that's a very good place to start.

Part 1
DAY 1

{4 years ago; plus 13 days}

Dance Alliance 2006 audition at BYU Idaho. The director announced all of the names who had been invited onto the company, and I looked around at the people I'd get to spend the next several months with. I met eyes with one of the dancers who gave me a friendly smile before looking away quickly. I didn't notice his little boy cuteness; I was dating someone else.
As I would find out later, so was he.


DAY 382
{3 years ago; plus 15 days}

I notice a missed call from Gideon. There's no message, so I call him back. In the past year, he's become one of my best friends. I hang out with him (strictly as friends) on a regular basis, and adore his dorky sweetness. I watch him date beautiful perfect women who know how to cook. It doesn't bother me in the least. I jokingly tell him he's going to be the next Prophet, and he rolls his green eyes as his cheeks get red. We swap relationship dramas over mint ice cream, and we often go star gazing with our friends on hot summer nights after playing Frisbee. Since being partners in the play "Oklahoma", we've gotten to be the closest of friends. I've been on and off with the same guy for the last several months, and can't seem to decide whether I want it to go anywhere. For some reason, I don't tell gid about him.

The phone is still ringing. Finally I hear Gideon's cheerful voice on the other line. I tell him that I saw his missed call, and ask him what's up. He (in ultimate awkward perfection) asks me on a date. Like a real date. Like him pick me up, pay for me, and be paired off with me date. My initial thought is, "Oh, poor gideon. He doesn't have any real girls to ask out on dates, so he has to ask his friends (I considered myself something like his third cousin twice removed)."

I feel really sorry for him, but answer, "Sure, Gid! That would be fun."
We go on a date.

{...Did not even come close to seeing that he was interested in being more than friends.}

DAY 570
{2 years ago; plus 5 months and 9 days}

Gid's been acting kind of weird lately. I don't realise it at the time, but we've been going on casual dates for almost a year now. I've been casually dating others at the same time, and so has he. But why is he being so weird? Like for instance: our hands brushed, and his face got really red. Really? Am I that repulsive? As I'm thinking about him one day, he calls me and asks me if I want to go grab some ice cream. It's kind of a dumb question. I answer the way any girl would: I give a wholehearted, two thumbs up, enthusiastic yes. I waited three minutes. Five minutes. Around ten minutes, I answer another call from gideon, and listen to him apologetically tell me that he can't find his keys. I cheerfully tell him not to worry, for I shall drive us to the wonderful DQ. I happily drive us to get ice cream. And then, because I'm a kick butt friend, I spend 3 hours helping him look all over campus for his keys. We don't find them.

DAY 573
{2 years ago; plus 5 months and 12 days}

I'm at Deedee's house. Gideon calls me. He asks if he can come over and talk. I tell him where I am, and to come on over. He gets really awkward, then says he remembers something he had to do, and after a lot of stuttering, tells me he'll just talk to me later.

At this point, I'm starting to get a little worried about him. I ask Deedee if she knows if there's anything wrong with gid (anything that would explain his acting strange, something like a family tragedy, or a bad test). Her roommate quickly answers, "Well, maybe he's just in love with you." Annoyed, I roll my eyes and step outside to call him back.

Gid- "Hey."
Me- "Hi. Are you ok?"
Gid- "Yeah."
Me- "Are you sure?"
Gid- "...yeah."
...
Me- "Did you loose your keys again?"
Gid- (sigh) "No."
Me- "Ok, then. Bye."
Gid- "Ok, bye."

That was a strange night.


DAY 581
{2 years ago; plus 5 months and 120 days}

Gideon calls, and asks to schedule a time for us to talk. I think I'm in big trouble, and that it must have something to do with the online media law class we both are taking. He comes over. He's in a suit and tie. I'm in my pajamas. We go to the Kirkham. We sit down. His face is red, and he looks like he might be a little sick. I feel a little sick just looking at him. He tells me that he's not good at "this", but he's felt too strong about it for too long, and he has to do something about it. Deep breath. He tells me that he cares about me. He goes on about how he wouldn't bring this up, unless he really felt like it might go somewhere. Somewhere in there, I think he might have used the phrase, "I could see myself marrying you." I feel a little light headed(not in a good way). I'm terrified of ruining my friendship with him. As he's looking in my eyes explaining his feelings, and how long they've been going on, I feel very strongly of three things:

1) Gideon Tolman is the best guy I know.
2) If I don't give this a shot, It'll bug me for the rest of my life.
3) I feel like I might puke a little bit. Not sure if that's good or bad.

That night I can't even fall asleep.
I'm too apprehensive.


And so it begins.

DAY 770

{2 years ago; plus 7 days}

I'm stunned. Speechless. I've never cried about a boy like this before. But then again, I've never even been close to dumped before. I'm annoyed, irritated, and can't believe I wasted time on someone who doesn't appreciate the Bourne Series, and more importantly, someone who doesn't like chocolate. How could I be so stupid?! Hot, angry tears just keep coming, as I think about how I've been with Gid, who doesn't even act like he likes me half the time, and turned down at least 3 other guys who would have thanked their lucky stars to date me. I convince myself that he was the worst boyfriend of all time, and no matter what, I'm never ever getting back with him. I inwardly groan as I think about the duet we've been cast to do together at the end of our show that is Touring Russia in just a few months. It's a piece all about love. I hate love. As I'm saying my prayers that night, I feel a little nudge that says, "I wouldn't throw in the towel too soon, Alyssa."

That night I can't even fall asleep.

I'm so mad.

DAY 784

{1 year ago; plus 354 days}

The news has spread. Girls either looks at me like A) I'm the devil (assuming I'm the one who broke up with perfect gideon), B) like my favorite puppy just died (assuming that I was madly in love with Gid, and now I think my life is over), or C) like they want to hug me for giving them a shot at dating Gid. The good news is, a few boys have stepped in, and asked if I'd like to go out. I want so badly to want to go out; but I really really don't. I secretly hate dating. I hate the awkwardness of it all. I begin to seriously consider becoming a nun. But, when the cute boy from the Russian association asks me if I want to make a russian dish and enter it together at the culture night, I take a deep breath and dive in. He's charming the entire evening, and makes me laugh with his unbeatable (and somewhat inappropriate but funny nonetheless) wit. I see another friend at the Russian night, and after some sly flirting, he shows up at my apartment after the activity with a date offer. I shouldn't be so hesitant, but I am.

That night my roommate, giddy, says, "YAY Alyssa! You got two guys interest tonight!" She (without my permission) starts listing off the reasons I should like this guy or that guy more than Gid.

1- This guy has a really nice truck with an awesome sound system, instead of that lame cluncker Gideon drives. (At this point, I think to myself, "... but I really liked that gideon drives an old man car.")

2- This guy dresses super awesome. He could be a model, and he wears that really nice cologne. You guys would be such a hott couple. (At this point, I think to myself, I don't mind gideon's style at all, and I love the way he smells.)

My roommate goes on, determined to hook me up with an ultra fashionable boy with a future in modeling. I don't listen though, because I'm starting to realize that I'm not over Gideon. Yet.

DAY 858

{1 year ago; plus 280 days}

Gideon is on a road trip.

We've been calling back and forth.

I think we're back to being friends.

Even better, I think I might finally be over him.

Halle-frikin-lujah.

DAY 870

{1 year ago; plus 268 days}

Still at home for Christmas break. Sick in bed.

Got a Christmas package from Gid.

...wait, what?

DAY 887

{1 year ago; plus 250 days}

Gideon calls.

Asks me out for a date.

After a long pause, I confusedly accept.

Awkward.

After he drops me off, I collapse onto the couch in angst. What in heck am I doing? There's a knock at the door. I answer, finding one of my best guy friends who spends the next few hours hugging me, making me laugh, and singing me songs on the guitar. Just as I start to forget my obnoxiously annoying situation with Gideon, I check my phone to find 3 missed calls from him. I call back. He asks if he can come over the next night to talk.

Here we go again.

I can't sleep. I'm too sick to my stomach.

DAY 900

{1 year ago; plus 237 days}

Because it's very personal, I don't want to go
into too much detail on what made me decide
to give Gideon a second chance, but I did.

DAY 914
{1 year ago; plus 223 days}

On our way home from a family reunion, we hit a really big deer.
That night, {since the romantic atmosphere was so perfect} Gideon tells me he loves me.
I don't want to admit it, but I'm pretty sure we're getting married.

DAY 1002
{1 year ago, plus 128 days}

Gideon gave me a diamond ring.
We hadn't even gone ring shopping.
It's beautiful. An emerald cut with smal diamonds surounding it and wrapping around the band.
I can't imagine loving any other ring more.
When I ask how he found it, he says, "it was the only one in the store that looked like it belonged on your finger."

I can't sleep that night. I'm too excited.

DAY 1127
{1 year ago, plus 3 days}

Gideon and I got married; sealed together for eternity.


DAY 1620
{Today}

We're so in love, and the best friends we've ever been. Three days ago we celebrated our one year anniversary, and yesterday we watched a cheesy chick flick and shared popcorn, snuggled, and laughed at the bad acting. I'm so glad I married my best friend, even though it was super weird around day 585, a rather depressing day 775, and a super apprehensive day 890.

But here in day 1620, when I look back, it was all more than worth it.

weekend getaway

I've been aching for a weekend getaway.

So, gideon and I decided to go to oregon for the weekend. 

Gid surprised me by reserving a really cool 

(and unexpectedly spooky) room at a historic hotel.

I tried not to think of the haunted mansion, 

but it was really hard to not picture ghosts enjoying a lovely evening.

(We were just in disneyland, maybe that ride spooked me out a little too much)

Wasn't our room just lovely?

Gid is such a keeper.

After grabbing a bite to eat at an adorable diner with a real mini train that went throughout the entire restaurant, gideon and I drove around the spookily quiet town. 

It was friday night! We couldn't figure out where the people were.

{we found them all later at a high school football game}

Gideon and I would jokingly scare each other, 

and then we decided to not make scary jokes anymore.

It got kinda creepy.

But in the morning,

Oregon was beautiful (and un-creepy) as ever.

Even the scarecrows were pleasantly friendly; and cultured too!

We had so much fun going down the main street shoppes,

we looked through antiques, bought some fudge and found some darling purchases.

                                                                   I tried on this vintage dress 

                                                                   that I found in an antique nook.

After doing a little shopping, we took a breather on the steps of a gorgeous church, and just enjoyed watching the golden leaves floating through the air.

We finished the day with some chinese food.

Oh, and some ice cream.

such a great day.

A year ago today...

I married the best man I knew. 

He's still the best man I know.

    

We know we're not perfect.

       (and probably, so do you)

But we're doing our best.

Happy one year anniversary, gideon. 

I love you with everything that I've got.

Dance Log 3

So, before I go to my ballet class, I have a religion class in the institute building. The timing this semester worked out so that I have to leave my religion class early to barely make my ballet class on time. I hate leaving classes early, but this was the only way I could make my schedule work. Anyway. As I was getting ready for ballet (because I have to put on my dance clothes on under the outfit I wear to my institute class), I was running late. It was one of those days where I forgot one thing, then another thing, and before I knew it, I had about 3 minutes to drive, park, and get into my classroom.

Oh. And I really had to use the washroom.

But, since being on time was more important to me than the general comfort of my bladder, I just sat in class, learning about religion, and trying really hard not to think about the sound of dripping water. I'd hoped to leave a teensy bit earlier than usual so I could run to the bathroom (keep in mind that it takes dancers a little longer to pee, since they have to take off all the layers: coat, top, tank top, pants, leotard, tights; and then you have to put them all back on), but I ended up losing track of time, and before I knew it, I had to make the difficult choice between being late to ballet, or being supremely uncomfortable throughout the entire class.


It was almost like I didn't even have to think about it.
I rushed to ballet.

Logic screamed to me, "Alyssa! How do you expect to dance on a full bladder? How do you expect to be able to gracefully twirl around a room? How do you expect to suck in your lower abdomen, and point your toes?" I ignored the voice, and inwardly replied, "Don't worry about it, conscience. It'll be a little rough, but I'll manage to get through without having to interrupt the class by being tardy." Then the little voice in my head made a statement that made me wince a little, "Good luck during your jumping combination, then."
I thought to myself, "Yeow. That won't be fun at all."

But it was too late. I had already stepped into class, and was now taking off my "normal person" clothing, revealing the ballerina hiding underneath. I sort of feel like a super hero when I de-layer.

Normally there are about 20 of us in the ballet class, but there were only about 12 people. I felt proud of myself for not only showing up, but showing up on time. Throughout the class however, dancers kept showing up, later and later. They didn't so much as get a disapproving look from anyone (except me. Or- more specifically, my bladder). The more I saw them, the more I thought how nice it would have been to stop at the potty before I started. But I wasn't about to leave now, in the middle of class. We finished working at the barre, and moved to the center of the floor for our jumping combination.

I should never disregard the little voice in my head.
Especially on advice regarding the need to use the little girl's room.

Somehow I got through it, but you can bet your boots I was the first one out of the class, and into a stall.
It was a close call. And I mean close.

I guess I learned two lessons:
1- Be prepared. (ahem, get ready for class early enough to use the bathroom should an unexpected emergency occur)
2- Listen to the still small voice.

Over and out.

Birthday Boy.

Ever since I've met Gideon, I've seen girls fall in love with him.
Girls, who on a scale from 1-10 are a two thumbs up, enthusiastic TEN.

I'm probably not the best wife Gideon could have snatched. 

I'm painfully annoying, and enjoy snuggling obnoxious amounts of time. 

I get whiny often, especially when I'm tired, and I'm anemic, so I'm always tired. 

Oh. And I hate to cook. (Unless you count making strawberry milk, and toast. Which I consider a perfectly healthy diet, just like any crazy person.)

I'm so far from perfect, it's ridiculous. Just ask my ballet teacher. Actually, let's leave ballet out of this.

{Let it be known though, that I have a killer jackie chan impression 

(especially when I karate kick the microwave shut), 

and I can nail a bulls eye with a 22 rifle 100 yards away.

So it's not like I'm a total loser wife...}

But Gideon. 

{sigh}

Gideon. With his swampy green eyes, and his genuinely sweet smile that makes me go weak at the knees; Gideon with his deep laugh, and his monster feet, and his strong hands that hold mine perfectly. Gideon, with his firm ambition, his unfailing love of the gospel, and his devotion to family.

Gideon is quite simply, my Perfect 10.

The very best husband I ever could have snatched.

(actually, I think some people believe I cast some sort of 

spell to make him fall in love with me. And maybe I did.)

He doesn't realize how perfect he is.

Which only reinstates his perfection. 

Gideon just had his 26th Birthday. 

I jumbled a mixture of semi-fun activities,
which turned into kind of a lame birthday night, 

but Gid smiled, and kissed me just the same.

He wasn't mad that his birthday evening was spent eating a half baked pie

 (with Birthday candles melted into it).

{...smart, alyssa.}

He didn't mind that instead of something exciting and birthday-tastic, 

we just played cards while waiting for our treat to bake.

He excitedly went on a bike ride with me around sunset. 

And when the sun had set,
the candles had been blown out,
and his first day as a 26 year old was over,

he was still my Perfect 10.

He still is.

And he always will be.

Happy Birthday, perfection.

Art in the Park.

Have I told you guys how much I love art?

Gid and I spent all yesterday afternoon wandering around Julia Davis Park,

looking at all of the talent our sweet little community has to offer.

There was so much everywhere, and it was easy to find 

little treasures in each of the shoppes.

{gideon secretly wants our little girls to wear something like this}

{Best Porta-Potty Award of the Year.}

The moral of this scatter-brained post is that I love art.

I especially love the kind of art that brings people together. 

Have a lovely week, my bloggie buddies.