Sunday, July 22, 2012

Our Not-So-Adventurous Adventures


Ryan and I like to be spontaneous – in thought!  Yesterday morning we woke up at 7:00am and decided it would be fun to pick up and drive down to Zion’s National Park, to hike Angels Landing.  After we planned out the travel/hiking hours, we made the boring decision to stay in Provo to get needed things done around the house.

To our surprise, it turned out to be such a fulfilling Saturday.

First, I made some granola.  Starting a morning off to the smell of honey and olive oil is so heavenly.

Next, Ryan did the “manly job” and mowed the lawn while I took the womanly task of cleaning/sweeping/vacuuming the house.  Nothing says “Saturday” like a tidy home!

We then tended our little (yet exploding) garden, and found our first ripe tomato hiding in the background.  You would have thought we won the lottery :)

After our garden triumph, we pruned the apple tree and took a bite of an almost-ripe apple.  I think they need just a few more weeks…

We made our way to the local farmer’s market and enjoyed the sights and smells.  We bought dill and cucumber plants, tried a couple tasters, and made our way home for lunch.

After a delicious meal of carrots, grapes, apples, and open face peanut-butter and honey sandwiches, Ryan continued to finish some yard work while I made DELICIOUS whole wheat bread (thanks Anna – I love your recipe).

After buckling down and getting needed schoolwork finished, we met up with our great friends Mitch, Meghan, and Jacob (poor guy – his wife is out of town for three more weeks!) We had a delicious barbeque and stayed up for hours talking about food, health, exercise and all that jazz.

Although we may not be quite as adventurous as we’d like to be, we sure are glad we made the “boring” choice to stay in Provo and enjoy such a wonderful day.

PS. If you’re interested, check out the garden’s progress…



Wednesday, July 18, 2012

writer's block

It has just been that kind of week - feeling like there is nothing to scrounge up that anyone would care to read, or that I would care to go back and read one day. Life has been so hectic, and I don't think "well today we were gone from 8-8, school and work is fantastic and exciting! Aren't you enthralled??" will keep anyone on the edge of their seats for more.  


But it made me realize something. This blog is for family and friends...but mostly for our little history.    


There are so many significant, tiny, special events that make up every day.  And I need to do better at recognizing those moments and making a special note of them - because those little moments make every day so wonderful.


So my new goal is: I want to be more observant.  I want to be able to say that I know things about Ryan that he doesn't even realize I know.  


So, here are just a few things I have noticed lately:


1.  He holds my hand every time we pray together.  I think it is so sweet and so special.
2.  He always tucks in his shirt right before we run. Without fail.
3.  He calls me "Baybuh" and I always giggle.
4.  Every morning, the first words I hear are, "Oh hiiii sleepy!" 
5.  At night when he works on medical school applications or other homework, he never sits on the couch.  Always on the floor.
6.  This one may be my fault, but after dinner, he opens every cupboard to find something to satisfy his sweet tooth.
7.  He cannot sit still.  Movies, dinner, homework...one of those footsies are moving to a silent beat!
8.  Lately, he breaks out into Les Miserables songs at the most random times.  And he belts it too.  He was an opera singer in another life.  
9.  He has those "kind eyes" when he smiles.  The crinkly corners that make his eyes so gentle.
10.  He would rather wear the same workout shirt/shorts multiple times a week than do the wash.  I know this because today I saw the exact outfit he wore at the gym yesterday - only inside out.
11.  Gradually, I have noticed that he is becoming increasingly more snuggly than me.  Which says a lot.  Last night, I heard "will you cuddle me?" and I thought he was dreaming :) 
12.  He gives the best hugs.  
13.  If we are on opposite sides of the gym, he likes to catch my attention by doing random dance moves.


Just a few things I've noticed, out of many.  I am so grateful to be married to Ryan, to live where we live, to have the families we have and to find reasons to enjoy every minute of every (seemingly mundane) day.        


Monday, July 9, 2012

Surprise!

Tuesday, the 26th of June, was possibly the worst day of my life - maybe not quite but close.


It started off as one of those mornings when both Ryan and I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Short tempers and snippy remarks were our first interactions with each other, so we both left for school with grouchy attitudes.  Thankfully this doesn't happen too often, but when it does it is not fun!


Next, I received an email from our TV buyer stating that it had been shattered on delivery.  I love learning that we paid to have our TV destroyed...


Then just a few hours later I attended my night class, only to find out that the idea of driving home to Oregon was outrageous and there was no way it could be done with the course load and team projects.


We had been planning with my two sisters, Alison and Katie, for weeks deciding how to best surprise Anna and my mom.  I hadn't seen Anna for over eight months and was eager to meet her new baby.  So after plans were made and excitement was escalating, we only had one more week 'till takeoff!  But, on that terrible Tuesday, I was told our dreams of going home to Oregon would not be realized.


I bawled.


Then, I called Anna and my mom and cried some more.


After, I told Ryan how sad I was and continued to wipe away tears.  It was a pretty sad day.


BUT!  After a few days of meeting with my teacher, I learned I could drop a test if need be which gave me a glimmer of hope.  I took two quizzes early, finished some group work before our deadlines, and decided it could work if we left for Oregon after my night class.


So we did!!!!


It turned into a Thompson Reunion and a fun Folsom Family get together.  Both families were surprised.  Both families were so fun.  And both Ryan and I were relieved to have made the choice to come home.  There is no place like Medford, Oregon and we can't wait to move back (in a decade or so).