May 23, 2009

A year ago, we did this:

We came.

We ate.

We danced.

And the music plays on...

To Love and Be Loved

I MET NIE NIE LAST NIGHT!!!

Here's how it went down:

After going to the movies last night, Eric and I stop by Sunflower Farmer's Market to do some shopping. We're in line and I'm swiping my card, typing in the PIN, when Eric says matter-o-factly, "Hey, there's Nie."

My stomach was in my throat. I looked up. Sure, enough. There she was, with her hubby, Christian, in the bakery section.

I lost all ability to understand what I was supposed to do next in my transaction:

Cashier: "Do you want cash back?"
Me: "What? Ummmm. Oh! No!"
Cashier: "Here's your receipt."
Me: Already walked away. Who can care about a receipt at a time like this?

Anyway, after much prodding, Eric convinced me to go up and introduce myself. Which I did, and I gave her a big hug. I hope I didn't hurt her hunchie! She introduced Christian and we shook his burn gloves. Amazing. Can I just say that Nie is beautiful?! She has a countenance about her. She really just glows and you can FEEL her sweet spirit. It feels calm and full of love.

While we were talking, it hit me like a ton of bricks:

This girl doesn't feel the same way as I feel about her AT ALL! She doesn't know me. She doesn't know the joy and strength I've found from her so many times. She doesn't know that I know her kids, husband, and family, and the way she feels about life.
Our relationship is completely one sided!!! And it made me realize something right then and there...How beautiful it is to have the wonderful relationships that I have; where each person is giving and receiving love, and finding joy through each other. I have my own wonderful, loving husband. He makes my life full and rich and worth living. I have my own quirky family, and when I go to their house, I feel peace and happiness. I have friends who help me see the goodness in myself and who sometimes need my help. They love me, and I love them.Meeting Nie made me realize just how wonderful my own life is and the people who are in it. It made me realize that my life is going to be an adventure and a journey. And I get to live and experience it all with the people I love. P.S. Go see ''Date Night". It's awesome.

Launching...

MUCH sooner than I'd planned, but oh well!! Here goes!

Mallory Kerwin Photography
http://mallorykerwin.blogspot.com

My Testimony

Tomorrow starts something we, as Latter Day Saints, refer to as General Conference. But it's not just for Latter Day Saints. People from any faith, from anywhere in the world, are able to attend, watch, listen, or read. It's the leaders of our church--from our President, to his counselors, to the apostles, and to the various worldwide area leaders--who we get to hear from. They teach us about things like the Atonement, our purpose in life, and how we can live with our families forever. Most importantly, they teach us faith in Jesus Christ.

So, it being Conference weekend and all, I figured this is a great time to share my testimony. Here it is. I'll try to keep it simple.

We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. His greatest desire for us is to have joy. That's it. So, through Christ, He created this earth and sent us here to experience lots of things: joy, sorrow, bitter, sweet, excitement, disappoinment, hunger, fatness, hot, cold, etc. All so that we could gain understanding and experience.

But, the most important reason Heavenly Father created this earth is so that we could have a chance to be tested. In order to ultimately achieve TRUE joy, we need to learn to choose the right. So He gave us commandments to live by. Some of those commandments are: not dating until you're 16, living a healthy alcohol and drug-free life, having faith, and forgiving others. There are a lot more. And they all tie together.

So here we are. On our little earth. Living our little lives. Some of us aware of the big plan of happiness, some not. But what's cool is Heavenly Father doesn't play favorites. He doesn't much care how much you know, where you come from, your culture, your career, or the color of your toothbrush. He doesn't give His blessings to just Catholics, just Mormons, just Baptists, just Atheists, or just the plain old apathetic. He loves ALL of His children equally and gives His blessings equally, provided we follow the commandments He's set forth.

One day, we will sit before Him and have an account given of how we lived our life here on earth. He will judge us with justice, but also with mercy. If we've lived according to His commandments, He will give us more than we can possibly imagine. We will be able to live with our families forever, we will be able to become like him. But most importantly, we will have pure and simple JOY. Unlike anything we've yet experienced.

And it will last forever.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

-Matthew 11:28-30

If you want to know more, just ask.

Or go here: http://www.lds.org/

How to Get Fat

Eat, eat, and eat. Then sleep.

It seems that is all I want to do lately.

Seriously.

Someone give me a trough.


Alright, back to playing Donkey Kong! Eric and I are getting back in touch with our 10-year old selves and playing one of the best games ever invented.

This is when the S word is heard quite frequently in our house.

Today I Met...

This girl:

Her name is Megan. Isn't she beautiful?

Small beans, you say? Maybe to some. But to those of us who are avid readers of NieNie Dialogues, you will know her as the founder and owner of The Sweet Tooth Fairy bakery in Provo! She said she saw Nie last night. I said I was jealous. Then we talked about cupcakes, of course. And her new grand opening in Draper! (For all you Salt Lake folks!)

I've ran into quite a few people at Tai Pan since I've worked there. Like the Burley's from WA, Shane's mom, some people I knew from New York, and people related to the prophet. It's great seeing people like that!

Still waiting for Nie to show up. And Donny Osmond. Apparently I missed him last month. Mother.

Almost!

I almost did it. I got as far as putting on my entire workout ensemble. Problem is....I am still doing this:The other problem is....I don't feel bad about it. I went to sleep at 4:00AM people! FOUR AM. We got in bed at 11pm, but apparently there is a little something called early pregnancy insomnia? And let me tell you how freaking awesome it is.

When else do you get to stay up to:

- play Super Mario Brothers
- create Wii Mii characters resembling Paris Hilton and Oprah,
- watch the TV Guide channel for ten minutes because there's nothing good on and so every time it makes another round, you lower your standards just a little more and suddenly the Duggars' "18 Kids & Counting" sounds GREAT
- watch Twilight (a new low for me)
- play a few rounds of Mah Jong and win them all
- listen to songs you are ashamed to admit listening to (the playlist may or may not have included Ashlee Simpson)
- microwave and devour half a jar of Tostito's Salsa Con Queso
- feel sick 5 minutes later
- blogstalk every person you know...and don't
- find sweet desktop wallpaper for your Sony Vaio
- wonder if this means you will never get enough sleep for the rest of your life?

That's how awesome it is, people.

Which is why I'm still here on the couch. Cuz I kind of don't really care. About running around BYU's entire campus. It's cold. It's my day off. And I've got some Duggars to watch! (Ýes, I really am.)

The Sweetest Sound

Due to some complications, I went into the doctor on Thursday to see if the baby was okay. I got my very first ultrasound, where I got to hear the heartbeat! Wow. In all my life, that is the greatest sound I've ever heard. I'm only six weeks along, so I was very surprised to hear it! Unfortunately Eric was at work so he hasn't heard it yet, but he will soon! I felt completely relieved and started tearing up while the ultrasound tech was asking me questions. They also checked my HCG level and saw that it had gone up. So, don't fret! The baby is OK and I haven't had any more problems!

I've realized you can go through pregnancy one of two ways. You can either worry and fear every day that your baby will be okay, or you can give it up to God and trust in the best outcome. I started out doing the first, but on Thursday received some heavenly comfort. Ever since then, I just know our little baby is going to make it through.

BIG NEWS!!

We are stoked! A little surprised (Apparently antibiotics and birth control don't mix. Who knew??) but we're so excited.

April 13 is when we will get to hear the heartbeat. The doctor's think I'm about 4-5 weeks along already! Crazy.

Lil' Baby Jane

First baby shoot last week and BOY did I learn a LOT! Here are a few shots of sweet Baby Jane:

Dinner & Drama

I gotta say, there's nothing more exciting than a healthy....debately un-healthy....dose of The Bachelor, paired with deliciously marinated-seared-and-broiled London Broil...and baked yams. Mmmm mmm.

Eric and I are in our usual 8:00-on-a-weeknight positions. On the couch. Lazy as can be. Alright, alright. Eric really has been working super hard doing his P90X workout....the way we both started falling in love! But aside from that, we're just chillin'.

Watching The Bachelor tonight, although wildly entertaining, makes me so grateful that I've found Eric. I'm grateful we get to sit here with each other, on the couch, doing absolutely nothing in complete contentedness. And that tomorrow is our 9 month anniversary.

Rock on.