Loving Lately...

playing coed softball. Go team!

Family. Family. Family. (I can never say this enough.)

my photography class at BYU (OBSESSED!)

bright-colored nail polish.

the little moments that just consume your entirety with joy.

summer skirts.

dried mangoes from Costco.

Garrett Gym time & homemade protein shakes. (cheers for being sore...every day.)

Singing in the BYU choir.

Family Group Me Chats. Hilarious conversations. The latest: take a look @ Carson Jr.

Being a Garrett!
Rad sister news: Chelsea in NYC & we have another H.S. Officer in the house. Congrats, Eliza!
a hardworking husband. 
(while balancing me, Church, school & everything else, Cars was awarded for being #4 in Utah for overall Sales at work last month. kinda cool.) 

I love this picture from "wear your ugly sweaters to work day!"

thankful

I am sorry, I have stepped away from blogging for a bit. The latest...

The Praxis. I have been buried in my studies for the past few weeks. (bc I am a composite teaching major, I am required to take and pass a timed, comprehensive test on 6 different subjects bf I graduate.) I spent countless hours studying retaining names, dates, theories, equations...I was one tired girl. I took it on Saturday! yay! Now it is time for finals. 

Pictured below was my attempt to memorize all of the details of World and US history.

Boston. I have been so sad about the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. My heart just breaks for those who have been affected. I was overwhelmed with hope as I saw the goodness of others rise above the evil. I saw this quotation today and I loved it: "If you're trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target." I agree!!! As a result of everything going on, I have felt truly humbled and grateful for what I have. The things we have in our lives today, may not be there tomorrow. 

I hope we all can show a little more love to those in our lives today.

Gratitude. Last week, as I was walking my usual route to campus, I noticed one of the trees had blossomed with the most beautiful flowers, over night. For a moment, I had forgotten about my crazy schedule and just stood under the tree admiring the beauty. This is my gratitude tree. So, every day I walk by this tree, I list in my mind things I am grateful for that day, big or small. 

Wow, an attitude of gratitude can bring sunshine on even the rainiest of days. 

Take the time to smell the flowers. Figuratively and Literally 

On a different note, we just made our most expensive investment yet. We bought a car. Our first one! 

The last four months we have been searching for a car and about a month ago we heard Grandpa Lightfoot was selling his Honda Fit. If any of you know Grandpa Lightfoot he treats his cars like a new born baby. We couldn't pass up the offer. 

We are now proud owners of a Honda Fit! yay for baby milestones.

We ended last week in the company of good friends and the Garrett family (so fun!).

Cameron's wedding united a most of "the Brotherhood."

Funny Fact: All of the couples below are DHS Alumni. 

we are thankful.

weekly treasures

In Jerusalem (oh how I miss you):

Hannie just ran her first half marathon through the streets of Jerusalem. 

WAY TO GO, HANNAH!!!!!

Here are a few other pictures she sent (I couldn't resist sharing, her pictures are way more exciting!) :

Tel Aviv

Herding Sheep (above) Jerusalem Center (below)! She will be home in one month!

Meanwhile at home:

*We have a new, beautiful baby cousin! Welcome to the world, Hazel! 

Congratulations Nelson Family!

Here she is with Grandpa and her new big sister!

(and on a more simple, random note):

We went Laser-Tagging with many of the Polish Missionaries!

We attended a David Lange Concert. (He came to introduce his music performed by BYU students.) They performed:  "The Little Match Girl Passion." Contemporary Music.

Made the best cookies we have ever made together. 

Carson grew up making this recipe with his mom. AMAZING RECIPE!  

Quotation from Chels: "You guys made these?! These taste like a mom made them!" (ha.)

Side Note: we recommend cutting the recipe in half or freezing half of the batch...it makes TONS of cookies.

Fort Night. 

we turned our entire living room into a giant fort and watched my first official "scary" movie. (confession: it was really that scary. I don't like scary movies ;) )

(good way to test all of our flashlights)

Homemade Strawberry Smoothies

We hosted a little Bachelor Party for the Finale (totally cheesy but hilariously fun)!

Thank you, Chels and Nick!

 "Regency Gathering"

 Elise organized a party to reunite the crew from Regency. After two years, the crew has quickly doubled in size with the presence of spouses and significant others. A great night filled with laughter and cherished friendships.

Spring Break for Carson!  

We are so unbelievably blessed to have a temple so close! 

*the beautiful, warm sunshine

*a friendly new ward

*Skyping with the Garretts

**There are so many things to be grateful for, these are just a few.

Weekly Treasures

*Cars and I talked about our plans, dreams, and aspirtations. It is so exciting. We are just at the beginning of our lives together! #bucketlists

*Serving at 24-7 Daycare in SLC with the fam. (more to come on this).

Looking for a service project? Help here.

*Setting goals for our races this summer! 

*Exciting news of loved ones fulfilling their dreams

-way to go Abby for getting into BYU

-Hannie's in Turkey 

-Chels got accepted to do a PR internship in NY in the spring

-Alyse is living it up with a bomb internship in DC

-Jess is a new mother to a perfect little girl

-and many more...

*Putting this song on repeat. pretty sure C &I  have the duet down. Oh Oh! ;)

*Lovin' the profesh bloggers. I want a nice camera someday...and darling children! 

Taza or Letters  or maybe you want cheap date ideas? (rather hilarious.)

*Learning from inspirational people and stories.

*Carson was sick all day Saturday (YES!) I got to be w/ him instead of being alone this weekend. Saturday rocked! 

*Chels went to a Celine Dion concert. So lucky!!! #whatavoice

 *we were featured in Utah's Bridal Blog. 

(I looked on here for wedding ideas bf we got married, so crazy.)

BTW I did not say that quotation. No idea where they got it. Still flattered. Chantel was excited!

 here it is

*Rhodes rolls and crock pots on Sunday!

*Midnight ice cream run

*Cashiers are starting to remember us in P-Town with our matching debit cards. I didn't really think twice about it but it makes for friendly conversations and newly formed friendships.

  + = small scale debit card celebrities 

(who knew?)

*Laughter. We are always laughing. I wonder if we bother our neighbors with how loud we are. Last night, I nearly sprayed mouth wash all over the comedic culprit and our bedspread.

 *Finishing a gigantic history paper. whew!

Here's to another week...

to quote my Grandparent's answering machine: we wish you a healthy and happy day!

don't wanna miss this

Carson woke up this morning not feeling too well. He took his first sick day. Lucky for him, I have a really BAD case of senioritis and we just enjoyed the afternoon together. It was marvelously unproductive.  The idea that I have three crazy midterms this week looms in my mind but quickly recedes the moment I am with Carson.  I feel like I am in lalala land and I love it so much. 

however,

 I love school. I love learning. I always have. 

I think I am in denial about moving on. 

A daily conversation I have in my head starts off a little something like this:
"Rachel, you are going to miss waking up to this University every morning. Don't miss it."

and then I start singing Trace Adkins's song:

You're gonna miss thisYou're gonna want this backYou're gonna wish these daysHadn't gone by so fast
These are some good timesSo take a good look around

You may not know it nowBut you're gonna miss this

It doesn't seem real and I don't want to accept that I will not be taking classes on this campus for much longer. I have loved and cherished my experience at Brigham Young University more than words will ever express.....

BUT GUESS WHAT?! 

the Garretts are not quite done with BYU!

Today, I received the best news: My intelligent, driven husband got accepted to BYU with flying colors...I cannot WAIT for him to learn from some of the best, in one of the best programs in the nation! One step closer to accomplishing his dreams! I am so proud. 

Carson is a Cougar!!!! 

I am often/will forever be reminded of my cherished time spent here every time Carson wakes me up for Church singing the BYU fight song!

Weekly Treasures

*Mother-Daughter date to the movies! we came outside to this ^^ #safehaven

*missing our 8am classes every day this week. yay for much needed sleep! (boo for playing catch up)

*talking to Hannie about her journey

*rediscovering every day why Carson is so perfectly made for me

*being home bodies on Friday night, making chocolate chip + butterscotch cookies

*experiencing the power of scripture study 

*Enjoying a good talk with my Dad as we picked out pig's ears for Koda (the family dog) ;)

*cheering for my baller of a husband @ his intramural basketball game

*Service Saturday (to come in a future blog)

*the sunshine 

*power-house talks by our Stake Leaders

*trying to cook with dry eyes while watching Ellen surprise military couples like this, or this.

*meeting Kenna and Punkin at Kneaders for breakfast

(Tanner gets his mission call next week!!!!!!!!!!)

*hearing children playing outside while studying

*a hard-working husband

*(last week) experiencing the longest elliptical workout (60 minutes) bc the Bachelor came on AND we couldn't stop eagerly conversing/laughing about it #judge.us.

*getting a rug for 60% off and hauling it home on the front runner

                                                        *witnessing the growth of the Church

*Discovering little gems:

"The more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls"

-President Spencer W. Kimball

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." 

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

* Carson got me a NEW PHONE for my birthday bc I shattered my screen on my old one and I kept getting shards of glass in my fingers. Here's to coming across old iPhone pics... 

there are many fish in the sea, but this one's for me. 

weekly delights

* BBQ covered fingers and belly aching laughter @ AppleBees.

* A phone call that landed me a teaching interview next week w/ a principal at a local high school. Yay for growing up! 
* Watching this beautiful message for part of our family night.
* Sunshine today.
* Effortlessly belting a high B flat in my classical-legit song. makes for one happy voice teacher. 
* Living on gift cards.
* History lessons and inspirational leadership classes. Love them.
* Friendly Neighbors.
* A supportive family friend name Troy Goulding.
* Going to the gym w/ my bestie, womb-mate Chels and accidentally running a 6:12 mile. (I was in desperate need of exercise.)
* Listening to this
* Riding the front runner to SLC to meet the Garrett Family. We saw...The Hanging of El Bandito. Hilarious play. Talented cast. Crazy Accents. Witty humor.
* Jokes on them, they thought I would leave wanting more. Well I have probably seen it three times now. I am nearly positive I am married to El Bandito's understudy. Cars has not stopped talking in hilariously rich accents AND he has the entire script memorized. Honey, if starting your own business, traveling the world, and living your dream doesn't work out for you, I am sure Pickleville Playhouse will cast you as the next El Bandito. You would be perfect. (Makell, Cars's little sis, is similarly uber talented when it comes to memorization and impersonations. Hilarious Duo.)
* Getting Carson's BYU transfer application done.
* Rode the UTA w/ Nate Tanner.
* Cars and I "accidentally" missing our 8am classes to catch up on sleep.
* Jessica is going to have her baby ANY day now!
* Hearing about my mom's training in Cali.

*** Meanwhile, my own flesh and blood is riding camels in Jordan and exploring the beauty of Petra.

 

Check it out HERE.

What are your weekly delights--big or small?
CHEERS!