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.

A Minor Change in Plans

For the past couple of days, Eric and I have been seriously considering Eric's entry into the Air Force. Scary. Crazy. Holy cow. We are going to talk to a recruiter today, just to get some more information and see if it's worth it.

Pros: School gets paid for, we get a housing/food/clothing allowance as well as a salary. Great benefits. I could get my schooling paid for. Insurance. TRAVEL!
Cons: um....hello!?!

Anyway, stay tuned til later tonight, where I'll have more details and hopefully some pics up.

Mom & Dad

Mi Familia

Well. I found yet another computer to load a trial version of Adobe products on. Which means, I can convert my RAW images into JPEGS so I can post again! Cause...what's the point of a post if you don't have any pictures?!

Here are just a few for now...because this computer literally takes 15 minutes to open a picture.

My sister, Hope!

(I'm thinking a little too much brightening on the eyes...) Oops!

The famma lamma.

We were all sitting around the house one Sunday, in pretty much our PJ's, when my dad decided we should take a family picture in the backyard. That being said, please ignore my drowned rat hair.

Emma, sister #2!More to come. Computer officially driving me insane now!

Job Update!

Hey everyone,

Thought I should probably do a little update. A couple of weeks ago I got a job! Woo hoo! I'm an assistant manager at Tai Pan Trading. Never heard of it? Me neither. Basically it's the mecca for all Utah Mormon moms who love to decorate EVERY square centimeter of their house. And when I say every, I mean every. Down to every last drawer pull.

It's closer to home, the hours are great, and WAY more fun/less stressful! Love it! Thanks for any prayers you sent our way :)

Also--Haven't been updating the blog cuz all my pictures are in RAW format and I haven't figured out a way to change them to JPG now that my Photoshop trial ran out. Oopsies!

Unemployed

Yep, that's right. Yours truly is in need of a Jay-oh-bee. Anyone got any connections?

Introducing my 1st photo shoot!

I'm SO grateful to these guys for being willing to help me with my very first photo shoot! Thanks D & B! Eric accompanied me and helped a ton!

P.S. I'd like to do two free photo sessions so I can get some practice. I'd really like to get some senior or engagement sessions, so if you know anyone in this category, send 'em my way :)

A text message

This morning I woke up angry. It happens. It was the usual "I-hate-going-to-work-and-I-hate-when-the-alarm-clock-goes-off-and-I-still-have-to-take-a-shower-and-why-don't-we-have-more-money-I-can't-wait-until-I-won't-ever-have-to-work-again" mood. Nothin' new.

Eric is sweet. He is patient with my mood swings. Today I got a text message:

"Hello beautiful. I hope despite the waking up, you have a really happy day. I want you to know I'm proud of you for making those efforts educationally with photography, bettering yourself, and the work you put into our marriage. It never goes unnoticed and I love you for it so much. You're my best friend. Love you!!"

:)

Escalante

Eric got the week before last off of work. I decided I was not OK with going to work while Eric got to sleep in for an entire week, so I got it off, too! We decided to go camping in Escalante. I went a couple years ago and loved it.

A little Escalantian background: 1.9 million acres of pure, untouched nature. There are red rock canyons, ancient Indian petroglyphs, waterfalls, scorpions, tarantulas, and some rugged 4WD high clearance vehicle only backroads. A moutaineer's paradise. I am a little ashamed putting these pics up. They do NO justice to the landscape.

There were tons of cows on the road out to Escalante.

You may not be able to see it, but theres a canyon in the lower right of the pic. Our campground was down in that canyon, to the far left. Coolest campground ever.

That's our tent!

Hiking is to Escalante what mullets and cut off shirts are to monster truck rallies. They both make the experience complete. Here's Eric filling up our Platypus bag. A MUST when hiking in the desert.
Who's excited??

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Hike #1

Lots of cacti and cactus fruit. We were brave and ate some of the fruit. It was actually pretty good. Mildly sweet and refreshing.

About an hour in. Destination: through the canyon you see behind us, eventually ending up at Lower Calf Creek Falls.

But first, Eric sees something on the ground....

....and picks it up.

We also saw some fish. See, there's three of 'em!

Another half hour and we make it.

Seriously, this water was frigid. The guy behind me was crazy. Although I think maybe he thought I was crazy, judging by the way he's looking at me.

All in a day's work.

We headed back for some good ol' R&R around the campfire, where Eric burned a huge hole in his Sanuks.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hike #2, 3, & 4

26 miles down an unpaved, 4WD-cars-only road is a wash with some amazing red rock canyons. There are three canyons in this particular wash. Here's the first one:

The second and third hikes are the more famous ones. Peekaboo and Spooky. They are slot canyons. And by slot, I mean, so narrow that you have to take off your backpack to get through some parts. And if you're slightly overweight, you might get stuck. And if it rains, even 2 miles away from these canyons, youre pretty much screwed. As in, dead. Flash floods are what kill people out here. Peekaboo isn't as bad:

That's looking back at where we came from.

This is towards the end of Peekaboo. It's narrow, but not as narrow as Spooky. I didn't even get any pictures of Spooky because the sky was turning gray and we pretty much hiked like the dickens to get out of there so we wouldn't die.

Here's a video showing you what it's like. The first two minutes are in Peekaboo. Right around the second minute is where he gets into Spooky.

Escalante in a nutshell!