Saturday, April 19, 2014

e a s t e r



I am so grateful for this time of year.

Please watch this video. It is less than three minutes long and I promise it is worth every second. It is a simple message. It reminds us that it is because of Him.

Because of Him, I have hope.

Because of Him, I can find peace, especially in times of trial.

Because of Him, I have someone to turn to when I am lonely, when I feel sadness, and when my trials seem too hard to bear.

Because of Him, I am never alone.

Because of Him, I am stronger.

Because of Him, I love and I love a lot.

Because of Him, joy is easy to find.

Because of Him, I can start over.

Because of Him, I can be better.



Because of Him, my family is forever.

Because of Him, I will be able to return to live with my Heavenly Father again.

He lived and He died for you and me.

Easter of 2012 was two days after Porter was diagnosed with cancer. That post is full of my heart. Things that brought me joy and also ways that my Savior was carrying me and my family through a very hard trial.

This Easter, Ashton and I have been going through our own trial as I have miscarried twice since the start of the year. It has been unbelievably hard and trying in ways that I never thought possible, but, as the video pointed out, "Because of Him, despair becomes hope." So many people have reached out to me, have held me up with their prayers and kind words - they were answers to my prayers in a time of need. I have felt my Savior's love and I am grateful to know that this isn't the end. (I have lots to say about my current trials and just miscarriage in general. I have spent many hours writing out my thoughts - and there are lots of them. Hopefully, with time, I can organize them and share my experiences.)


Because of Him, I can be a better me. My testimony is strongest in the knowledge that He is there to help me through sin and trial, but also to celebrate with me through joys and success.

I love my Savior. I love celebrating His life and His resurrection. He lives! I know that He lives. I also know that as we do those little things - read our scriptures, pray, serve - we can build a relationship with Him.

Happy Easter

 xoxo

Monday, April 14, 2014

Our weekend in Chicago

I got a spring break vacation! It wasn't a cruise, or a trip to sunny San Diego, but I won't complain.

We were at dinner with the Days a few weeks ago when the idea came up. We planned it and 10 days later we were driving to Chicago!


Thursday // April 3rd
We left about an hour later than we had planned thanks to my car battery giving out. (I might have left a light on. oops. but, last time we got the oil changed they warned me that my battery was close to death) Ashton was a hero and we ran to Walmart and back and had the new battery in all within 45 minutes.


During a fill-up break somewhere in Wisconsin, we came across a pink, glasses-wearing elephant. That was the first photo shoot of our trip. 






Friday // April 4th

I reserved a hotel room via a website and that landed us on the smoking floor. They didn't have much to offer us, except for a room with only one queen bed, and we didn't get in until like 1:00am so we took it and crashed. 
We started Friday morning with a visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. It was a sobering experience, one I am glad we had.

After our museum experience, we ran back to the hotel to negotiate our room situation. They still didn't have anything to offer us and the manager wasn't coming to talk to us. Amber talked them into giving us free breakfast every morning and we just didn't spend a ton of time in the room.
When we were settled with our hotel plans, we went off to purchase our CTA passes. We used public transportation to get everywhere. It was convenient (not very fast), but allowed us to have the real Chicago experience. It took about an hour to get downtown.
Our first stop was the Shedd Aquarium. It was alright. I think I might have high expectations for aquariums, thanks to growing up along a coastline. (If you are ever in San Diego, visit the Birch Aquarium. It is quaint and small, but absolutely stunning) That being said, the Shedd Aquarium was only $8 for general admission and we did see some pretty neat things.

fish facin'.                                                          

colors of coral = magical

[As I am doing research now, I see that they have beluga whales on display! To
see those it will cost more, but come on, aren't beluga whales (they have been my favorite animal since I was a kid singing, "Baby beluga in the deep blue sea....") the cutest animals ever?! ]

Also, the aquarium is along the shore of Lake Michigan and is a beautiful place for a photo op.


i love the Chicago skyline.


Following the aquarium, we explored Chicago in search of Gino's East pizza - everyone raves about it AND now we understand why. That pizza was the best pizza I have ever had, though the pictures we took of it do not do it justice. Deep dish is most definitely my favorite kind of pizza.




Magnolia's Bakery has to-die-for banana pudding that I only thought existed in New York, but guess what! They are in Chicago too! I would have stopped there everyday if we could have, but we only made it once and I won't complain.
 my face doesn't show how excited I was!




Saturday // April 5th

If you thought we did a lot on Friday, wait until you hear about our Saturday! Our ride into town was disrupted because of construction on the tracks. It wasn't fun, but we were figured it out and soon we were getting around Chicago like natives.

 the sun was out, but don't let it fool you - it was cold. and it is most definitely called the windy city for a reason.

Our first stop on Saturday was Millennium Park to see the bean! It was probably my favorite part about Chicago.





Then, we walked in search for the John Hancock Tower because we heard it was better than paying the $20 to go to the top of the Willis (which I had done before). Things didn't work out, but we got to walk almost the entire length of the Magnificent Mile. After we were good and tired, we hopped onto public transportation and made our way to Wrigley Field. We were able to go to a Cubs game during opening week! I wish it had been warmer, but baseball means summer is around the corner.


 

We made it through the first 3 or 4 innings before the cold got to us. After we had our fill of baseball (and a Chicago dog), we made our way to the Lincoln Park Zoo. For being a free zoo, this place is pretty impressive! We hung out there until they kicked us out at closing.

 caught the jaguar in action. he was mesmerizing. // kangaroos snoozin'.

 we just had to get a picture anytime the skyline was in view. beautiful.                     

 By the time we were done with the zoo, we were starving! We were searching for somewhere yummy to eat and, purely out of luck found Harry Carey's 7th Inning Stretch. Oh my yum. AND (sports lover bonus) they are next to the Chicago Sports Museum and with a meal at the restaurant, you have free access to the museum which was so neat and interactive! We loved the museum and the food.

 giving harry some love.

i have a vertical reach of 8 feet! not bad. // testing our reaction time.

 i think we could make some pretty great anchors. // favorite restaurant!

Of course, we had to find some dessert. We were set on gelato, but as we left the building our restaurant is in, I found another NYC favorite! CRUMBS! They didn't have a huge selection, but you better believe I bought a cupcake. I didn't get a chance to eat it until we were already home, but I am so glad I found it! We ended up traveling a bit, but found Heavenly Gelato & Ice Cream. I had Mexican Spicy Hot Chocolate with Raspberries. It was as good as it looked!

mexican spicy hot chocolate gelato.


Sunday // April 6th

Saturday wiped us out, but we weren't going to let that keep us from enjoying our last day in Chicago. So before we made the drive back to Minnesota, we stopped by Navy Pier.

beautiful navy pier.

 fell in love with the lighthouse. // perfect company.

obsessed with that skyline!



 Chicago was obviously a blast! 

Music for your Monday

I have a current obsession and it stems from a childhood obsession. Today, you are going to learn some of the quirks that are Tati.

As a little girl, like 3 or 4, my favorite movie was What About Bob? I loved Bill Murray. Love love loved him. So much that I called him Uncle Bob. I like to think that I was clever enough to come up with the Uncle title on my own, but I have a feeling that my parents helped it giving Bill Murray this awesome title. Whenever I saw Bill Murray in a movie, I was watching Uncle Bob. To this day, I like to pretend that Bill Murray and I have some connection because he was obviously a part of my childhood. I can only hope that someday, my children will have as great a sense of humor as I did.

[Side note: A few years ago, I started hearing these outrageous stories about interactions people had with Bill Murray. The best part about them is as he is leaving he always says, "No one will ever believe you." They are quite hilarious. There are also stories about him just being a good man. Anyway, this only has added to my love for Uncle Bob. I just went to look for my computer of a picture of me and Bill Murray to add to this post - Proof of how much I feel like he is a part of my life.]

Wes Anderson loves Bill Murray maybe as much as I do, which has lead me to watch a few of his films. And I love the ones I have seen. Bill Murray doesn't always play a very big role, but he makes an appearance in each of Wes Anderson's movies. You know who else I have discovered thanks to the genius of Wes Anderson?

Jason Schwartzman.

He is the current obsession I mentioned at the beginning. He is such a quirky actor, in the very best way! I see him and I have to smile. You know what is even better than his face?! His voice.

And now, here is where the music part comes in.  Jason Schwartzman is ever so talented. He is one of those ultimate triple threats. Actor. Musician. Funny man. I think he would be a pretty good model too, but that is just me :) I married the handsomest man there is (see previous post), but I still have some big screen crushes and Mr. Schwartzman is on the top of my list.


I mean, come on, right?!

His music is fantastic. He used to be the drummer for Phantom Planet, but has since created a solo-project - Coconut Records. I love love love Coconut Records. It is definitely quirky, but oh-so-happy! It is all I have been listening to for a good month now.

So here is a playlist just for you! Love it and let me know just how much you love it!

I hope Jason Schwartzman's awesome tunes help you ease into a new week.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

yay! for a birthday!

Everyone, everyone, everyone!

Today my hunky husband turns 26!!!!

His mom posted these today and they just melted my heart! Cutest boy.

Time to celebrate! With some trifle, of course. When we get to eating it, maybe I will remember to share a picture because it is quite the beautiful thing.

Yesterday, we found that Minnesota has a Rodizio Grill and that it isn't even that far away! So, of course, that is where we had his birthday dinner. Now, Ashton served his mission in Brazil and we talk about the yummy food quite often (thanks to Tucanos, I have a serious addiction to pao de quijo, also known as, cheesy heavenly goodness bread), BUT we had never gone to a Brazilian grill style restaurant together. It was so fun to see him as the guarana he drank instantly took him back and he would speak in random bits of Portuguese.

 The man, happy with his sweet and spicy chicken, pao de queijo, and guarana. 



Taking pictures after eating is not the best idea - we were so full.

In all seriousness though, words cannot express the way my heart has grown with love for my man. Ashton has been a rock. 2014 has not been easy for us, especially for me, and Ashton is so willing to just sit there, listen, and hold me. He has shown me what love is. He is constantly serving me and surprising me with his thoughtfulness. He laughs at everything which is contagious and melts my heart. He is willing and will never let anyone down. He is everything I have ever dreamed my husband would be plus so so much more.

I love my man. I think the world of him. And I really think he is the handsomest. I just can't get enough of him.