Festival of trees

I'm finally done with my volunteer shifts at the f of t. Can't say it's the most fun ever but it was still pretty cool. It's really touching to think of all the people donating time and resources in honor and for the support of primary children's hospital. It was just a bit depressing thinking so much about the pain and suffering of people - I know it's supposed to inspire courage and hope especially during the holiday season but that's where the word bittersweet comes in. Maybe when i'm older or just have more time for reflection i'll be able to feel it more deeply but after two days of being on my feet i'm mostly left thinking of the sad stories. Also maybe the sadness comes from hearing that y first principal who hired me 10+ years ago passed away today from cancer. I'm no fan of cancer in any form.

the latest

okay, well, since i'm now back from the honeymoon and trying to organize my life, i decided i better update my blog - nothing more important of course! okay, maybe the piles of gifts that need thank you cards written - not to mention being put away! hey, at least the laundry is done!

so, bret and i had an absolutely fabulous time in midway at the zermatt - a swiss themed resort. the place was pretty dead except for lunch on thanksgiving and then on friday night going into saturday morning, but still those days were pretty mellow. we felt like we had the place to ourselves. great service - well, one bag of dove chocolates did go missing one day after housekeeping had visited. they play pleasant music on the grounds until at least 10 o'clock at night. it seemed to be always playing which was cool except when it felt a bit twilight zonish. we really enjoyed the town and hiking around and feeding ducks. bret loves to feed ducks. i just like watching. i'm glad we didn't go far - it made going and returning easy. we're back at home and he's back at work and now if i can only get my house back to order all will be well. anyone want to clean my bathroom? let me just say how glad i am i took the time to clean before leaving! that made it very nice to come home to. i'm just overwhelmed by all the gifts.

back to happy thoughts. our wedding day went PERFECTLY! really we both felt like nothing could have made it better. we got to see all our friends and family and we felt like our smiles were permanent. the weather was gorgeous, the noses not too red in the photos, timing of the lunch couldn't have been better, and all the thoughts shared and especially the band's performance were spot on. (when people asked if i was at all anxious about my wedding day all i had to say was that i was nervous about performing with my band - but i did really well!) like i said - i loved it. bret and i wrote in "our" journal reflecting on the day and we could only rave about how nicely everything went. we decided our favorite part of the sealing ceremony was when our sealer reminded us to hold hands and pray together (and with the children) to create an atmosphere of love in our home - so others would know we belong to each other - and so our children would learn about love. okay, so i'm not restating it perfectly, but i think you get the idea. let's see, i think i can find a picture of us on the wedding day - thanks to all my siblings who did good picture taking! did i mention how great all my siblings, etc. were? the wedding party would have never happened and come off so perfectly if it weren't for all the talented family members who pitched in like the wind. i think bret's mother said it was her most enjoyable wedding of all. i know it was mine! :)

Last day being single

I woke up this morning wondering how I should spend my day - the last one being a single woman. It felt like any other saturday. I did chores, finished packing, played with family, went to costco, ate good food, picked up family from the airport. Later tonight I get to see bret for an hour and then I have a sleep over with the women of the world - plewe and kristin. I think we'll make lime squeezies and chat a bit before bed. Sounds like a perfect day to me.

Bean soup

My bathroom smells like bean soup. I've been using my tub as kitchen sink since last saturday my pipes decided to bust a hole. The pipes are better. It'll be nice to use the sink again.

Saying goodbye

This is the view on my way out the door. The only awkward part today was when a kid saw me take this picture - the door one. Oh well - not my problem anymore! My mantra got me through the week and it's finally true. Happy to say I went out strong!

Can you guess what i did yesterday?

That's right - I picked up my dress. If it was easier to put on and didn't require a helper I might try it on over and over again before the big day - but the thing is a hassle. I need to go buy static guard the lady told me. Apparently tuelle is pretty electric!

Better than christmas

Last night at my bridal shower someone commented on how it's better than christmas because besides gifts I also get a husband. Too true! I probably got more gifts than i've ever gotten at christmas. I think my friends know I like to bake - 3 sets of cookie sheets and a bag full of sugar, etc. but what really prmpted me to blog about this time being "better than christmas" is the anticipation I feel for next week. In exactly a week i'll be fixing my hair preparing to go to the temple to be sealed to bret for time and eternity - seriously, finding someone you can trust and want to continue trusting like that, is a miracle. A "better than christmas" miracle!

snow!

i can't say i'm looking forward to it. i can't say i really enjoyed it when it came flying down yesterday. i have yet to remember to wear a scarf when i go out - i'm not ready for the cold! but this morning, i went for a walk to the park. there were some patches of crusty ice bits on the sidewalk, but the sun was shining, and it was glorious! i felt good! i loved the clean air that snow can bring. i loved that it i attended an inspiring stake conference meeting last night and i have another one this afternoon. i loved feeling happy to be alive and happy about the future - snow and all.