Why I am looking forward to April 1. General Conference
2. Pay Day
3. Spring Break 4. The Happy Birthday text I'll get from Travis on April 16th 5. Receiving our Tax Return 6. Easter 7. The snow will melt! 8. Finding out my work schedule for next year 9. Exercising outside 10. Picnics and Sunday walks
You've been great...sort of. Now will you please leave me alone until November? Thanks! Love, Me
This is the view from you back yard. Pretty, right? I'm not so sure anymore...
This quote from Mark Twain sums up perfectly how I feel right now...
It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! -Mark Twain
Maybe we should just skip spring and go straight to summer?
Because Brian has a very bad habit of never checking his email, we didn't find these pictures of our niece and nephews until yesterday. I became an aunt for the first time to William and Ellie when I married Bri and now that number has doubled thanks to John and Edward. :) They were born March 8, 2011 (pretty cool because that is Whitney's birthday, so I'll never forget.) I'm no longer the newest edition to the Moote family!
We can't wait to visit these guys this summer wherever they end up!
Everyday I get to work knowing that most likely before 1st period is even over, I will have a text message from my hubbie. I find myself every morning periodically checking for that flashing red light, and I have become dependent on the cute, silly, simple messages from my best friend to start off my day. Here are some of my favorites...
"I love you sooooooo so so much!"
"I love you Ashley! Can't wait to see you and give you a hug and kiss!"
"I miss you. Hope school is going ok."
"Dear ashley...You are amazing and I love you! love, Brian :)"
"I love you lots. Even when I'm in a bad mood."
"Ashley I love you! thanks for being my wife!"
Yep...I can't think of a better way to start off my school day!
This past weekend, my baby sister Lyndsey got married to Charlie Crose in the Bountiful temple. The weather was a little bit windy, but the rest of the day went by perfectly. Lyndsey was one of the happiest and most beautiful brides ever. Congratulations Charlie and Lyndsey!!!!!!
Lyndsey and Charlie coming out of the temple.
Lyndsey with all the groomsmen.
Brian and I on our way to the reception
Bridesmaids! (Thanks for Mayra for all these pictures.)
I get my love for celebrating holidays from my mom. This morning I woke up especially early so that I could make a family favorite St. Patrick's Day traditional meal.....Green eggs and ham. Yes I realize that the story has absolutely nothing to do with the Irish, but it was an excuse to dye our eggs green and make the day special. And lucky Brian, who didn't grow up with as many crazy traditions as I did, now gets to participate whether he wants to or not in my holiday celebrations....he got pinched this morning. ;)
I can't wait to go home tonight and make pistachio pudding!!!!!
The best thing about being a school teacher today was being able to buy my favorite Girl Scout Cookies...Thin Mints and Samoas. I bought 4 boxes each. There goes my diet. :)
I love holidays. Give me the most minute or absurd excuse to celebrate, and I will. Today is March 14th or 3/14 or 3.14. Possibly the only exciting day in the world of math, March 14th is a day dedicated to Pi()= 3.14. Without Pi, how would we be able to solve the area of a circle?
So in honor of Pi day, guess what Bri and I made?!?!?! That's right, a PIE. :) It's actually a sweet potato pecan pie. Back in November 2009, I was in an accident and totaled my car. Brian was so great to me. He picked me up, was a shoulder to cry on, brought me dinner, took me to work and babysitting and the tow place and helped me search for a new car. To thank him for saving me, I made him a sweet potato pecan pie. It's now his favorite. :)
I've been sick all weekend. :( Thankfully I have an amazing husband lets me pass out on the futon while he cooks me dinner, does all the laundry, gives me back massages,and washes the dishes (this is HUGE as we do not have a dish washer.) He is too good and is spoiling me rotten. Anyway, as I was vegging out with my kleenex and hot cocoa, I realized that today is the 2 year anniversary of my return from the mission.
I can't believe it has been 2 whole years since I was last in my beloved Italy. Some days it seems like it was a lifetime ago, and yet at I feel like I was just there, scriptures in hand, ready to convert the Italian world. Serving a full-time mission really has impacted my life in more ways than I ever imagined. Not only did it teach me about my capacity to love and serve selflessly all of God's children, but it also strengthened my testimony that God really does know us and has a plan for us, and there is no such thing a coincidence.
So in memory of some of the best 19 months of my life, here are some pictures of my 3 Italian homes....Milano, Genova, and Bergamo.
Milano Genova Bergamo
Dear Italy,
I'm saving my money and I promise I'll be back as soon as soon as the Rome Temple is ready for dedication.
In a sort of continuation of my last post, I would like to start with the conclusion of that fabulous February 23rd Wednesday. After J Dawgs and with a rejuvenated passion and excitement for BYU sports, we were blessed with the opportunity to see the Cougars play court side (thank you Kelsey)at the Marriot Center.
Sitting court side, watching your Alma Mater sport pink Nike's (for Breast Cancer) while kicking Colorado's butt is sort of a beyond this world experience. Did you know that floor seats come with more than just a spectacular view? I didn't. Not only was there a goody bag under my seat, but there were also free concessions, including but not limited too...a chocolate fountain, legit size candy bars, fountain drinks, and cookies. I had died and gone to BYU heaven.
A few weeks later, Brandon Davies was kicked off the team due to an Honor Code violation. In the aftermath that has followed, I can truly say that I am proud to be a BYU Cougar and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having spent 4 years at BYU, I know that the school and it's students are far from perfect. Still I am grateful for the Honor Code and for a University, really a Church for that matter, that stands by it's values, upholds "impossible" virtues, and believes in repentance and forgiveness.
We all make mistakes, and I can't imagine how hard it would be for me to deal with mine publicly and in the media. I respect Davies for his integrity and courage in manning up and facing the consequences of his actions with dignity and honor. I am proud of all the BYU fans out there that cheered in support for Davies as he sat on the sidelines at the last BYU game. And finally, I have been pleasantly surprised with how the media for the most part has covered Davies, BYU, and the Honor Code.
I have become famous...well at least youtube famous...sort of. And the one person I have to truly thank for it all won't be able to bask in my youtube glory for another 18 months. That's right Hermana Vineyard, I dedicate my stardom to you. :)
You see the only reason I was even in Provo on February 23rd was to take my very amazing and lifetime friend, Cedar (pic to the right,) to the MTC. She was called to serve a mission in Chile Antofogasta, and I had the pleasure along with a few other friends (Amy and Kim) to say farewell and send her on her way. (Cedar is doing great in the MTC by the way. I got a letter from her yesterday that made me smile. She is going to be a rockin misssionary.)
Naturally, the only place to go after dropping of a new missionary is to J Dawgs. Since I don't get down to Provo very often, when I do, I like to go revisit some of my college favorites...and I was definitely craving me some J Dawgs. Not only do they sell the most fabulous hot dog styled with banana peppers, onions, special sauce, and pickle, but it will now and forever lovingly remain the the setting where my friends and I were discovered.
There we were (shout out to Kim, Renae, Amy, and Kelsey) enjoying our hot dogs, when we were asked if we would be willing to participate in a music video, "Teach Me How To Jimmer." Renae especially made the experience memorial and exciting, as she was by far the most ecstatic to be supporting BYU Basketball Star Jimmer Fredette. All I gotta say is GO COUGS !!!!!
For your viewing pleasure I would recommend especially minutes 3:32-4:07 :)
I have absolutely fallen head over heels for my husband.
I now have a permanent Valentine.
It's a lot harder to surprise your lover when you live in the same place and have joint-checking.
Sometimes its better to stay in.
Life really does have those perfect "Hallmark" moments.
My 6th and 7th graders love me enough to bring me Valentines.
7th grade is a rough age for finding love.
I'm grateful I'm not in 7th grade.
I love Brian!!!!!!!!
Did I mention that I really love my husband?
This Valentine's Day, I woke up with my hubbie already awake in bed with a present in his hand and most excited smile on his face. He was so proud of the beautiful pearl necklace and bracelet that he gave me from the Shane Co. My husband really does now how to give a girl perfect jewelery! Then he opened his favorite cologne (Armani Code) from yours truly.
What do you do when you are a poor married couple on Valentine's Day? You stay in and make homemade pizzas of course! I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day. :)
Our little home is slowly becoming ours, and it's really exciting! More pics to come (we are still working on the bedroom, living room, and bathroom) but this is what we have so far.
"The Dining Room"
"The Kitchen"
And "The Piano Room"
As many of you know, we are currently renting the basement of Brian's old house. His parents sold it a little over a month ago, and the new owner is graciously renting it out to us at least until the end of June. While it's kind of hard for Bri to still be living the same house he's been in since he was 7, this basement also holds some of our fondest memories as a couple...How many people can say their first home together was also the place of their first kiss? :)
7. The snow will melt!
10. Picnics and Sunday walks
10. Picnics and Sunday walks
