Crash. Bang. Boom.

Saturday is a day that I wish never to repeat.
It all happened so fast and yet, time felt as if it stood still.

For the past week, Mat was in Oregon helping my dad move. They both were going to head back here after all was said and done. On the day of their return, Mat had text me to let me know he'd be home to me around 8-9pm. 

Shortly after 9am, Mat called me while I was at work. The conversation went something like this:
Mat: "I don't want you to worry, but I won't be able to make it home tonight."
Me: "Why not?"
Mat: "Your dad & I were just in a roll over accident and the car is totalled."

Time stopped.

I cannot begin to tell you the thoughts running through my mind, the emotions that I was fighting and all the while trying to keep myself together since...well...I was at work. Every time I closed my eyes to take a moment, I would see something like this:

The day is much of a blur, but due to good friends, comforting words and listening ears, it was easier to make it through the day. Still, a day that I do not (ever) want to repeat.

Both Mat & my dad are ok. They are banged up, but are ok. It doesn't happen all the time, but they were able to walk away from the crash without a scratch.

We are counting our blessings this holiday season and are so incredibly grateful.

Change.

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives.

We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us.
We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something.
We have to learn to be content with what we are."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I realized today that change is inevitable.

Good or challenging, it happens. 

That is all.



Northwest Style Thanksgiving

This year we experienced a first for Thanksgiving.

We went to Oregon!

A little history...when you get married, there is usually the discussion of holidays and who's family you'll spend it with. Well...when Mat & I got married, we also moved to Utah, where the weather is unpredictable and an occasional snow storm does happen. We thought it would be easier overall if we decided to spend one "winter holiday" (Thanksgiving or Christmas) at home with our own little traditions and the other year, travel within driving distance of only a few hours. Which meant, Idaho! I know, Idaho also gets snow. However, to Mom & Dad Haderlie's house, it's a 4 hour drive (or 6 hours if you get stuck in a snow storm...Christmas 2007) compared to overpriced plane tickets (usually, we did get a decent deal on ours when we bought them 3 months ago), a 2 hour flight, 2-3 hour fight through the airport and possible flight delays...etc...get my drift??

When this year was being planned, a few factors came in to play...

my cousin got married & was having a reception over the Thanksgiving weekend...

 Mat will be graduating this next April and we won't be able to make our annual Oregon trip...

I graduate in June and we won't  able to swing a trip over the summer...

All in all, if we didn't make this trip, we would be pushing well over a year before visiting and that's just not acceptable. 

So we packed our bags!

We left Thanksgiving morning, landed just in time to pick up the rental car and drive to my mom's in Washington. They purchased a new home over the summer while we were in Texas, but we had a hard time making it back for a visit. So this was our first experience seeing it.

 It's in a pretty neighborhood and it has the works!

Pool, tons of room, fantastic kitchen, etc. 

We had all the kids up for Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie and games.

I could not believe at how much my niece and nephew have grown!

My nephew at 9 years old is just about my height.

(I know, that's not saying much, but he's shot up like a weed!)

My niece still has her colorful personality and is growing into such a sweet little lady!

Why do they grow so fast??

We drove down to see my dad on Friday. Mat spent the entire day helping him with doing projects. I love how well Mat and my dad get along. They both fully admit that they are "rednecks" and with that, there must be a mutual understanding.

However, Mat did mention, he now sees where I get my "unorganized, chaotic multi-tasking abilities", he also knew I was very much a "Daddy's little girl" when he married me.

While Mat was "redneckin' it", I went out to Grandma-ma's (pronounced Grand-ma-ma, no joke :) ) and had some crafty fun! When I was young, we used to live at Grandma-ma's and everyday we would spend hours and hours in the "shop" doing ceramics of some kind.

The "shop" isn't the same as it used to be when I was younger...it has grown and expanded out a lot! My grandma-ma now holds classes in ceramics, painting and glass work.

I have a crafty side, (which I say was influenced by Grandma-ma) but have never done anything with glass before...so this was a new one!

My sister came with me, and then my aunt, cousins and family friend all showed up too! It was a party! My Aunt Andrea helped me through the steps of cutting the glass, picking a shape, etc.

I did a very basic starter: made ready patterned glass slumped into a wavy candle holder/dish. The second piece I made was one that I designed myself using frit (shards of tiny glass).

I kept questioning if it looked right or would turn out, Aunt Andrea said,

 "It's art! There is no right or wrong, it's all just art!"

That gave me a little confidence boost and I love how it all came out!

 If you are in Oregon, you should definitely take a class from my grandma-ma!

Saturday, Mat & I went out to see my dad again. My dad has overcome so much in his lifetime that I really enjoy each minute that I get to spend with him. We had a limited amount of time because Saturday was also the Reception Day! My younger cousin, Esther, we call her Tess, was married in Tampa, Florida, but held a reception in Oregon for her friends and family. She made such a beautiful bride! Her new husband, Jalen, is also a very nice fellow! Mat had a great time playing monopoly with him, the only thing Mat could say, "he's got some skills". I think that's also because Mat was on the loosing end of the game. :) After the reception, we were able to spend time with a bit of the family just catching up on everything.

Sunday, was our "wrap up" day, we had breakfast with my dad and then headed back to my mom's for the night. She's closest to the airport and our flight was SUPER early in the morning, so we spent the evening with her & Jim. Mat was a little occupied by cramming a paper in hours before it was due, but he made it. It was a good visit, we stuffed a lot in while we could!

I forgot how nice Oregon was in the fall...the fall colors through the trees, the foggy mornings, the crisp, clean air...I truly miss that part of Oregon, especially when we landed and there was white stuff covering the ground.

Stinkin' snow.

And now...pictures!

Mandy (my sister), Mom & I

Jim carving the turkey!

It was tasty!!

My nephew, William & I letting our food settle.

I love his curly red hair!

Uncle Map (that's what the kiddos call him) getting a massage

from our niece, Ash Lee after dinner.

Ash Lee kicking my butt at thumb war!

Grandma-ma & I in the shop.

Mat & the glass he cut on his first try!

(It's challenging not to break the glass when cutting it.)

Finished product!

(The dish to the right is the one I designed,

 and the one to the left is the made ready patterned glass.)

Aunt Andrea, Mandy & I at the reception.

My cousin, Christian who is a very talented musician.

My dad &I.

We're looking forward to Christmas now!

The tree is up, decorations hung, even the presents are wrapped!

I'm trying to finish our Christmas cards and a little shopping.

Then off to an Idaho Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are in the last minute hussle before the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

This is one of my top 5 favorite holidays.

I love how the season just changes people.

 The month of November brings about a different feeling of gratitude.

 I love when people share the things they are thankful for.

I have so many things to be grateful for this season.

I feel very blessed.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

I just love Charlie Brown!

Mat's Birthday!

Mat turned another year older which meant it was time for a party!

Or at least a winter BBQ!

There was really no comparing this year's celebration to last year's.

I asked Mat for weeks what he wanted to do for his birthday and never could get a response.

It was down to the wire and I still hadn't received a response. Until I started throwing out ideas...

And it came to: grill up some food and eat it...as long as there was Mom Haderlie's Mint Cake.

(Note: This Mint Cake is a sacred recipe that took me 9 months of dating/engagement & 9 months of marriage to get from Mom Haderlie....so you can always have a piece, but the recipe is top secret. :) )

Mat enjoyed the day overall and felt so loved from all the birthday wishes he was sent!

Not to go all softy-like, I thought I'd share my top 10 favorite things about Mat.

(If I do anymore than 10, you all might just get sick of all the lovey-dovey mushy-gushy-ness, so I'll save you.)

10. He has amazing cooking skills as long as a grill or cast iron are involved.

9. He's fearless in my book....or just about.

8. He is a smarty pants...we're talking literally...Honor Society, math genius, A's in all his classes, etc.

7. Everytime we're in the car, he sings along to the radio...loudly and mostly on tune. (I think it's cute.)

6. He has a hardcore desire to fly all over the place and is an amazingly talented pilot.

5. He's a cheeseball and makes me laugh a lot. (See picture below.)

4. He will try just about everything once...including foreign, gourmet cheese.

3. He will clean the house when he's trying to persuade me and/or when he purchases a new toy.

2. He is very level headed & calm, which helps keep me balanced (since I am usually the complete opposite).

1. He's my best friend, partner in crime, travel buddy and good ol' hubby for eternity...and well...

I think I hit the jackpot!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAT!!

Busy Start to November!

So far, November has been BUSY!! All with fun, exciting things!!

Back in September, for our anniversary, I got Mat concert tickets to Lady Antebellum. He was "kind of" excited, but after the show he was thrilled! It was an excellent show!! The colors and back drop were fantastic!

Lady Antebellum!

The day after the concert, I woke up with a sore throat....but we were still off and running!

The night after the concert, we went to see the Scarlet Pimpernel play.

Our sweet and talented cousin, Melissa, was in this production.

What a treat!?! We both LOVED the play! The characters, the actors/actresses, costumes, etc.

It was a wonderful evening!

However, following our night out, I came down with a horrible cold...

It has seemed to pass rather quickly (thank goodness!!), but not without the help of my wonderful husband that took such amazing care of me! He's a stud!

Now we have so much still to look forward to this month!

Stay tuned!

*Also, it has seemed to be that most of the blog construction has passed, I think I got it all back to working order. Thanks for your patience!*

Under Blog Construction

I have been trying to make a few changes and switch a couple things around on our blog.

I have had a few (more like a lot of) technical difficulties. 

Example A: All of the "People We Know" blog list was deleted in the midst of a change....so if I don't have yours listed, I sincerely apologize! Just leave me your blog address on this post and I'll add it right back. :)

I spent almost an entire day working on it, so for now, I must walk away...I just need a little break.

So...stay tuned.

Thanks! 

....age is only a number...

"It takes a long time to become young."

Pablo Picasso

Grand-ma-ma (at 19) & I
at my wedding.
.September 2007.

I remember as I was growing up and still to this day, my beloved Grand-ma-ma has always remained the beautiful age of 19. She has never been a day over 19 or a day younger than 19. She has simply been 19.

As my birthday was fast approaching this year, I kept asking myself, how can I stay 19? My sweet Grand-ma-ma reminded me, that I too could stay 19, but it would "take a few tricks and a bit of work" she said and then finished that statement with "which only comes with experience." (She's such a sweet, spunky gal! I have to just say that she is one of the best women I know.)

I realized how truly blessed I've been this past year to have experienced all the things I had - travel the world at the drop of a dime. To have a top-notch husband - who is just amazing! To have the best family and friends a girl could ask for!

A few high lights of the birthday events....I basically had the entire month of October as a celebration, so it was fantastic!



* My dear friend, Gillian (she's the adorable blonde in the picture with the green arrow pointing to her) headed up a birthday party shin-dig in my honor full of BBQ, cake & good conversation! It was so great to see a lot of our friends, some we hadn't seen since before we left for the summer. Gillian did AMAZING with the decorations! (Thanks again Gillian! You are so sweet!! :))

The Cooks...



My birthday
flowers & balloons.



The Ding-Dong Cake

*The gals at my work went ALL out! I felt so spoiled! I walked into work and waiting for me on my desk were flowers & balloons! AND they got me a sparkly scarf (that is fabulous!!), jewelry and my favorite candy! Oh, but wait! There's more! They took me to lunch at La Jolla Groves, it's in the shops at Riverwoods in Provo and let me tell you.....you know...there really aren't words to describe how delicious the food was, just give it a try & you'll see. And there's more!!! They even brought me the BEST cake EVER....there is probably a fancy name for it, but we refer to it as "the Ding-Dong Cake" (think the chocolate-creme filled Hostess Ding Dongs). This cake has a creamy, vanilla mousse center (that is heavenly) with thin moist, light chocolate cake layers all surrounded by a delectable chocolate ganache and sprinkled with cocoa powder....it will give you a sugar high and chocolate fix for DAYS.  



*To top off the birthday celebration, there was a small group of friends that joined Mat & I at Pizzeria 712 (literally, I'm addicted to this place) for dinner. It was a whole new experience, since Mat & I were the only ones who had ever went! Dinner was quite yummy and satisfying...:)

After an evening full of the best pizza, hummus and friendly conversation, we wrapped it all up with cake & sparkling cider.

All in all, this was one of the most memorable birthdays yet. As hesitant as I was, I now don't mind embracing this new year of growing older...and gaining the experience I will need to forever be 19.

Thank you everyone for celebrating with me, the many birthday wishes, phone calls and the thoughtful words (via email or text)!

The Fall in Utah

I fall in love with Utah over and over again, year after year, but mostly in the Fall months. I am already a sucker for the Fall. The colors changing, the crispness in the air, the pumpkins (and the pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice steamers, pumpkin smash jamba juice etc....). I have always loved the Fall.

This past weekend, Mat & I have decided to stop for a day and rather than having it fill up with daily responsibilities (you know, work & school), appointments or even errands, we took a few hours to drive through Utah's most gorgeous areas and fall back in love with Utah.

3 Years of Wedding Bliss

I had a goal this year to post at least once a month the entire year of 2010. Here it is the last day of September and I'm not posting just once, BUT twice!

Yesterday, Mat & I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary!

Due to it falling in the middle of the week, we decided to celebrate low key style.

We went and devoured an AMAZING meal at one of the BEST restaurants in Orem.

And then Mat gave me the ULTIMATE anniversary gift!!

I have my very own! I have begged and borrowed others, but there is just no comparison to a Kitchen Aid! Watch out, I'm going to go nuts with all the possibilities of cookies, truffles & treats!!

I surprised Mat with concert tickets which he was not expecting!

So all in all, it was a wonderful day of celebration!

Here's to the past three years!

July 2007

July 2008

September 2008

A picture is worth a 1,000 words!

For the record, I wasn't angry. :)

This was one of those moments of "I can't believe you just said that!"

May 2009

April 2010

Home Sweet Home

We made it home! Well...a month ago.

Our trip home was uneventful...we drove through 113 degree weather and made it home an hour before we thought we would. We endured a Houston-style rain storm in Southern Utah, but still made it home safe and sound. We had some friends greeting us upon our arrival with food, hugs and helping hands. We are so grateful for our family of friends, they made our homecoming so much better than could be expected!

Once we unloaded the car, hung up our traveling bags and said a final farewell to an amazing summer, the "real world" started to set in. I went back to work - my job was held for me over the summer and wrapped up my classes just in time to start new ones. Mat dove right into flying, school and even found a part time job! Of course, this was after his little run-in with a smokin' hot dutch oven, sizzling hot cooking oil and his hand...which he suffered mostly first degree burns with a mix of second degree burns and a conversation starter of a scar.

This is the day after the run in with the dutch oven.

It has since blistered, scabbed and become quite a scar!

In the midst of all the craziness, Mat's brother & his wife came to see us! It was such a treat to have them stay with us over the Labor Day holiday weekend! I ended up having to work that Saturday they were here, so Mat went with them to the Hogle Zoo and saw the elephants, penguins & giraffes.

That's Tucker & Mary!

We also caught up with an old mission buddy of Mat's, Kendon and his new wife, Stephanie, which this was the same friends that we found in San Diego over the summer. We went to a Real Salt Lake game (which was a BLAST!!) and they showed us how to take in the experience right! Not to mention, we had AMAZING seats!

The Saez's!

We went at full speed the entire summer and it hasn't slowed down much, but we're luckily keeping up! More to come!

Jacksonville, Florida

The end of our summer is vastly approaching and this was our last trip for the summer.

We couldn't think of a better way to end the summer than at the beach!

Better yet, with friends at the beach!

Our dear friends, the Calls, who we saw while driving to Idaho Falls (over the 24th), just moved to Florida.

We went to see them and explore the Jacksonville area!

We were lucky to catch the last flight of the day on Friday and landed late that night.

Since it was vacation, we planned a pretty easy weekend, all of which started at the beach!

We even made it down to St. Augustine and explored through the Castillo de San Marcos.

After exploring a little, we went on a pizza hunt down St. George Street.

The entrance to St. George Street.

Anson & Shaefer cruising down St. George Street.

We had a wonderful time!

We can't wait to go back when we have a little more time!

We also stopped in to see our dear cousin, Liz who fed us a yummy dinner!

The corn bread alone is legendary! Oh my heck! It tasted like a sweet corn cake!

Our trip home also proved to be another adventure.

The flights from Jacksonville, Florida to Houston, Texas booked up while we were there in which case had us thinking of other plans.

We rented a car and drove to Savannah, Georgia and flew back to Houston from there.

All in all, Mat & I agree that this was the best way to wrap up our summer!

We have more pictures, but blogger is currently running slow at the moment which makes it challenging to get them uploaded. If you're curious, let me know and I'll send you more.