September 11, Remembering a Decade

I woke up today having one fail after another. I woke up late. I ruined the first batch of breakfast. I burnt the second batch of breakfast. I spilled a half a gallon of milk. I burnt my finger. I cut my other finger. And then of course, I made Pat and I late for church. As I threw my hissy fits, by slamming drawers, rolling my eyes, and feeling nothing but sorry for myself, I realized what special day it was. The 10 year anniversary of September 11. Suddenly, all of my so called "problems" were nothing. After church, Pat and I talked about where we were when we had first heard about the attack. He was a 15 yr. old sophomore, sitting in Chemistry, watching the attack on TV. And I was a 10 yr. old in 5th grade, over at my best friends getting ready to head out for school. Also, watching everything unravel on the television. I didn't fully understand what was happening in our county. I didn't understand why people would just fly a plane into a tower. I couldn't grasp the concept of  "terrorism". I watched the TV the following days, seeing people begging for help to find their missing loved ones. Hearing countless names of people who had died. Watching children asking for their moms or dads to come home, because they miss them. And seeing the pictures of the fear that struck so quickly across the nation. It was all such a whirlwind to me. Why had such a peaceful place all the sudden turn into this? It took me some years to fully understand how incredibly brave America is. That we have not only service men and women risking their lives for complete strangers, but also having your everyday citizen give a helping hand for those in need. So here, I wish to thank the brave people of America. I  would like to thank those who fought on that horrid day, and to those who still fight today for this great country. God bless to everyone for being able to carry out strong after such devastation, you are what makes America Strong. 

well, hello again...

So. I realize that I have totally forgotten about this for over a month now. It was my cousin, Ashley, who reminded me of having one when she e-mailed me asking for the link. So, thanks Ash! A few things have gone on since my last and only post. Such as... WE GOT MARRIED! I am now Mrs. Elisha Rhoades. And I am totally loving it! Our wedding day could not have gone any more perfect. I'll post pictures of the whole event later on during this next week (I promise). We just got the pictures back this week from our photographer. So they will be up for your viewing pleasure shortly. We had an amazing two week honeymoon. The first week was spent on an incredible Mexican Riviera cruise. If you would ever like to spend your day relaxing in a warm water beach. Go to Mexico, seriously. So fantastic. On the cruise we met tons of fun couples, including about 5 newly weds from Utah. It was great getting to know and hanging out with all of them. If you've never been on a cruise before, you're definitely missing out. People wait on your hands and feet. Pretty much, whatever you want, you get. It's such a great time. When the time came to leave all the pampering, food, all the pineapple juice you could drink, and just good times. We made our way down to So. Cal where we spent 3 days in the wonderful world of Disneyland. Nothing like spending 3 days in the "Happiest Place on Earth" with your husband and being able to act like kids. We also got these great little button pins that said "Just Married". So even though we weren't technically "just married", we wore them and people treated us so nice! Even people who swept up the trash were congratulating us. It made us feel pretty special. As our honeymoon was coming to an end, the Mr. and I headed North to Modesto where Pat's family is from. Nothing quite beats hanging out with the Rhoades, I seriously married into one of the greatest families. There in Modesto Pat's family threw us an open house/fiesta for all the people from California who couldn't make it to the Utah reception. The fiesta was complete with a full mariachi band, tres leches cake, rice & beans to go along with incredible tacos, and great company. As the partying came to an end, Pat and I headed to our hotel to get ready for the long 11 hour drive home back to Utah. Nothing says personal bonding like driving that long of distance with each other :) Now back in Utah, we've pretty much just been setting our apartment up, starting up school, and throwing in a date night (my favorite) here and there. Pretty much we've been trying to adapt to real life. Haha. We've had a great time so far, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Moving furniture, opening gifts, watching movies, is all so much more fun when you're doing it with the person you love. Yes. Corny. But I just don't care. Until next time... Which will be sooner than over a months period of time... :) Happy Thursday! 

Here's a few pictures we have to share with you...

 The awesome mariachi band that played at the open house

Don't mind our squinty eyes, or how dark Pat is compared to me. Just take in how cute we are :) 

Such. Good. Food. 

Camille and the Tres Leches. I just love this picture.

 The in-laws. Such a beautiful couple. 

First date after being home: Spanish Fork vs. Springville High football game. We had to sit on Springville's (visitors) side because we met up with some of the guys Pat coaches with over at Springville. I wasn't happy about that, but Spanish Fork killed, so no worries.