Last anniversary post

I know it's a little late getting it up here, but here is my last anniversary post. It's short, but sweet.
The first week we were married was so fun. Just the newness of it. Every night, for the first couple of weeks, BJ tickled me all the way to sleep. Really. Every single night. I remember thinking, "Hey, I could get used to this!" It was so sweet. He even told me that one of those nights, he was just looking at me after I'd fallen asleep and started the cry thinking of how much he loved me. That's the only time he's ever admitted something like that, and he'll probably kill me for posting it here, but it's one of my favorite memories, so here it shall stay.

(Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I cried because of my love for him--I'd have a lot of nickels. Just imagine how many more nickels I would have because I cry about how much I love my kids, too! Geez, that's a lot of nickels!)

The "L" word

More "firsts". That is such a weird word... anyway, BJ and I were sitting on the couch in the dark (Do not try this at home single kids!), just talking--really. This was about a month or so after the trampoline (BJ confirmed it was, in fact, a trampoline we were laying on). He was holding my hand and started with that dreadful phrase, "I feel like we need to talk..." or something to that effect. Then he went on to again state that he had enjoyed our friendship and dating, that he thought I was an awesome girl--maybe I was weird, but that sounded like break up lingo to me--but then he got really nervous and jittery, a little shakey (if you know my husband, you know he is NOT like that. EVER.), and he said, "I really like you. In fact, I think I more than like you. I think that maybe... I love you." And again, he said it very matter-of-factly expecting no response. I DIDN'T EVEN SAY IT BACK! I just sat there like an idiot. In my mind I was thinking, "Do I really love this guy? Am I in love? How am I supposed to know these things?"

So, I started thinking of this thought I'd had a few years before this incident. About how much I love Christmas because it just leaves me with such a peaceful and loving and excited feeling. I told my teenage self, then, that when the right guy came along, he would make me feel like Christmas. I ended up staying the night at a friends house after this night and went to his house early the next morning. We were caravanning to some destination in Logan for some odd reason and he pulled over in front of the LTD station and waited for me to drive up. We finished up whatever errand we were doing and then I said that I'd see him later. Then he mouthed "I love you" as he was pulling away... and I felt like CHRISTMAS! I couldn't believe it.

So, over the next few weeks, I started thinking about how I felt when I was away from him, how I felt when I was with him, my instant reactions when we were together or saying goodbye, etc. Then I started to realize that I was actually falling in love with this guy. Whenever we were on the phone it was a natural thing for me to want to say, "Love you, Bye." and little things like that. I always always caught myself before actually slipping it out there because I just wasn't sure I was ready for the "L" word. I'd never dated anyone that I was comfortable telling that to. It was not something I threw around out there lightly.

Well, this one day he sent me a dozen roses at work, "Just because", and I loved it. I knew this was totally out of character for him and found out later it was inspired by a similar gesture made by his brother to his fiance'. She and I were talking about it at BJ's house and BJ came around the corner talking to Matt and I slugged BJ and said, "I love you!" and instantly cowered and thought, "Oh my gosh! Did I just say that out loud!?" Then I tried to hurry and change the subject hoping against hope he hadn't heard me. He didn't bat an eye. Didn't even flinch.

Then about a week later we were driving passed the temple (He lived right next to it), when he looked at me and said, "Sooo... you said something pre-tty significant to me the other day and I didn't even realize it." I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I still tried to feign my innocence. He said all cute and precotious-like, "Do you remember?" and I went red as a beet as I said, "YES! OKAY! I remember!" Then he just chuckled and took my hand and said, "Did you mean it?" I said, "Yes." Then he said, "Well, I love you, too." and it was over.

Back to the rememories! Sorry I won't be catching up with the missed entries. I'd be lying if I promised that, and I can't bring myself to do that. ;)

BJ and I are a blind date success story. It all started when I worked at Information Alliance and met Spencer Bushell (One of BJ's best buddies). Long story short, he introduced me to Ashley, who also worked there, who he ended up dating and then they broke up (And later, marrying). Right when they broke up, I had a break up of my own. I ran into Ashley just around the time all of these break ups were happening and we decided to start hanging out more. Little did we know we were starting an awesome best-friendship (Seriously, She is like a sister to me--which means a lot coming from me). One day, we went to a devotional at the USU spectrum. While we were there, Ashley saw a bunch of Spencer's friends and tried to point them out to me. I saw who they were, saw that one was actually a casual acquaintence of mine (Rich--also one of BJ's best buddies, whom I'd known for about 2 years at this point), and was surprised that I had never figured this out after being friends with Spence for somewhere around a year. BJ was also among them, though I don't remember seeing him at all. So, Ashley had the gears in her head turning and, I guess had told BJ about me. She pointed me out to him while I ran off to find someone. She asked him if she should set us up and he said absolulely yes he would like that. So she told me I should meet BJ, thought we'd be really good friends and wanted to set us up on a date. I told her I would, though I was totally not looking for a dating relationship right then. That was fine because she really thought that we'd just be good friends.

I actually remember this one time, at my house, Ashley was just there hanging out with me when BJ called her for something and after they finished their business she told him I was there and asked if he would like to talk to me. I was instantly nervous. She handed the phone to me and I heard his voice for the first time. I remember thinking he sounded really cute and was trying to picture in my head what he looked like. Our conversation was really short, he told me he was looking forward to meeting me on our date and we said goodbye. It was crazy awkward scary, but fun, and I was impressed by his casual nature and the way he easily had control of the conversation. Something I've really come to admire about him... a LOT.

So, we went on a date. I remember specifically that I wore barely any make-up, a ponytail, a baseball hat, my roommates holey jeans, a regular t-shirt and some sneakers. I was specifically trying not to dress up super cute. I walked in and met BJ, talked to the other boys, all of which I knew through random and various things. Seriously, it was a little creepy. BJ made us grilled cheese sandwhiches and we watched Willow. Then we went to a park to play games. We shared a car (The same car we drive now, actually) with Rich and his date. We were waiting at the park in awkward silence. Rich was trying to keep the conversation going because that's just how he is, but the awkwardness kept creeping in. So, I glanced around the car looking for something to do, maybe to help us get to know eachother better and the only thing I really saw was a small Quad lying in the center console of the car. So I picked them up and said, "Let's see who's more spiritual." BJ and Rich thrive on this "I know more scriptures and facts than you do" thing with each other. Even still, they do random trivia's every few years with eachother over email or FB. It's hilarious, actually because they both are hilarious. So, that was the absolute ice breaker in the car. We had some good laughs and the start of some interesting ideas and conversation, then we played night games with the other couples for a bit and then called it a night. I may be remembering some facts a little off, but anyway. That was our first date. I believe he gave me a hug before I left, and I wondered if he would want to go out again. I hoped that he would call or that the guys would at least invite me along next time they did something because I really enjoyed hanging out with them. The Beginning. (As opposed to "the end")

Happy Birthday to me!

(Nobody ever gets sick of this pic)
I honestly wasn't really looking forward to my birthday (Yesterday) this year. I wasn't dreading it or anything, I just expected it to be another day. In fact, I would have missed it if it weren't for all of the AWESOME people in my life. My entire family--including BJ's with the exception of Sam, of course--called me, I love that tradition more than anything I could ever get.
No birthday would be complete without my annual serenades from my brothers, Dan and David. The Bexter (Sister, Becky), joined in the fun with the primary version. From the boys this year we had Elvis and a Jazz rendition. We've also experienced marilyn monroe among other things. It's my family. We sing. It's what we do. :) I love it so much, it really makes my day!

There were several moments in the day that I just stopped and thought, "Wow. I'm completely happy today. This is a great--no, fabulous day! I loved everything and everyone around me (I want to be like this all the time), had many good things happen, awesomeness radiated from my ward, family, and friends,
I got dressed and best of all--we think we've figured out what I did to my back!

We went to the orthopedic specialist in the afternoon and they determined that I may have a herniated disc, but more than likely it's a torn muscle around my spine. So, I am to get physical therapy twice a week for 6 weeks and then if that doesn't work, I'm supposed to go to some kind of doctor I've never even heard of before, but it's to prevent anything drastic. No MRI's. No surgery. So glad about that. So blessed.

The rest of the day went well,
BJ got up and made me breakfast from a cookbook. He has never ever EVER made anything from a recipe before. I am loved. I should have taken a picture. Olivia and Ethan just loved me all day. I'm super big on hugs and kisses and they smothered me with all of that and more all day. It was awesome. I tried to take a picture, but that made them ornery. The phone wouldn't stop ringing with well wishers and texts. My mom got me a most desired wheat grinder. My cousin, Sarah and her hubby, Jess babysat after the kids went to bed and BJ took me on an awesome date where we had some delicous Brazillian yumminess from Tucannos at The Gateway, then off to see "How to Train Your Dragon" (excellent flick, not appropriate for little little ones in my opinion. Slightly scary and storylined, but maybe okay for bigger little ones.)

Before dinner we stopped in at the Apple store (I think) and BJ showed me what he, with the help of his wonderful family and my children, are getting me for my birthday. The ipad WIFI 3G that won't be released until the end of April! (The ipad WIFI is already on the market) It was love at first touch. I want it I want it I want it. I never really care about wanting stuff like that, but
I WANT IT!
I am so excited to have it for my cookbooks, reading, listening to music, a fab-ha-bulous calendar and datebook, and all those other awesome applications just like you can get on the iphone. So excited! I'm surprised at how excited this makes me!

It really couldn't have been a better day. I loved it.

Whoops.

I have been a little incapacitated for the last few days and therefore unable to continue my memory of the day. So, today, I will share a new memory about this weekend about my wonderful husband. Let's make some lemonade of some of my lemons.

Thursday morning I woke up after a night of worrying about some nerve pain I had in my hips and back. I felt pretty good and told BJ I thought I'd be okay for the day. We went into the kitchen to get some breakfast ready for the kids. I was emptying the dishwasher when I bent over to pick up a measuring cup. As soon as I reached for it my back siezed and I was in more pain than I've ever been in my entire life. I'm not kidding you it was way worse than having a baby. BJ dropped everything and came to my aide. Tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't catch my breath. BJ slowly and tenderly helped me into the front room where he helped me lay down on the floor to put my feet up and my back flat (this took about 15 to 20 minutes because I literally was paralyzed with pain). He was instantly on the phone with my chiropractor retelling the story and asking what he needed to do for me. He got me to the car, got the kids in the car and we went. I was a little better afterwards. Slightly. BJ helped me back into the house and layed me down to rest with my feet up. I asked him for help to the bathroom and when he tried to help me up, I collapsed on him in even more pain than I had been in that morning. Somehow he got me to the couch and had me lay there while he called everyone he needed to, last of which was dispatch to see if I could get an ambulance to take me to the ER at Davis Hospital (We don't have the greatest confidence in Lakeview--BJ's had a lot of experience there). Soon there was an ambulance in my front yard and I was watching my husband take my picture as I was being loaded into the back.

Needless to say it was quite an eventful day. BJ was fabulous and I was in loving awe at how smoothly he made everything flow. He just took care of everything. He helped the kids feel better (they were pretty scared), and he took over the rest of the basic wifely/motherly duties and contacted his professor to tell him he wouldn't be at class that night. He even made a fabulous dinner FROM SCRATCH!!! He has never ever ever done that since I've known him. He's come up with some... interesting... concoctions, but this was a gourmet meal. I was very impressed. I felt so bad that I just wanted to vomit (and did for 2 days) because of the oxycodone in my system. He's been so sweet to me through this whole ordeal and I wish I was all dolled up and pretty so I could reward him with my beauty,;) but... it's not to be, at least for now. I'm working on it.

Hand holding

Today I decided to share a memory. This is fun! It makes me want to take a trip up to Logan with him and take a trip down memory lane. He did that once as a surprise by the way...
Anyway, here goes: I had a lot of reservations about our relationship because I was always questioning myself, but I wish I'd just taken more time to relish in the love that was blossoming. We'd go for walks all of the time between mine and Ashley's house (she lived a few block away from me in Logan). Every single time we took a stroll, he'd come up with some crazy thing to do. He's always been good at that kind of thing. So anyway, this memory isn't really like that, it just made me think of some of those funny things. The first time he held my hand in public when we were still pretty fresh in our dating relationship. BJ was super nervous and I was nervous because I still wasn't sure I wanted to announce to the world that we were a couple. But I let him take my hand on one of our walks. I remember how we were just walking together like buddies, but then he reached down to take it and the gesture made me all quivery and I felt my heart jump-start a little bit. We walked over to Adam's Park in Logan where we had planned to meet our friends, Spencer and Ashley (maybe Rich, too with a date). I was so nervous anticipating everyone's reaction because BJ hadn't ever had a girlfriend before. This was kind of a big deal to everyone. We built a fire in one of those fireplaces they have there and had some good food and some laughs (always good laughs, even now). BJ was instantly slapped on the back with "oooo's" and "aaaah's" by the boy(s) and Ashley was especially very excited to see us walk up holding hands, since she'd been the one to set us up in the first place. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable and excited I was to be a "couple". It makes me smile just thinking of it now. Good times.