WE ARE ALIVE!!!

OH MY GOODNESS.  I have missed the blog oh so very much these past couple months.  The Woods are alive and well!  Only because "finals week" just came to a close..... thank goodness.  School has beat me alive people.  I didn't know that I would be so out of touch in doing schoolwork and preparing for exams.... it seriously took all of my focus and whenever I thought of writing a little blog post, it just seemed like such a burden.  Just another thing to add to my list.  I CAN'T ENJOY DOING SOMETHING WHEN I AM THINKING LIKE THAT!  So I decided that my blog was low on my priority list and I would pick it up when I could.  Finally that time has come!  Who knows though, I enrolled in summer school so I might only be updating this for about a week. lol.

WELL

Let's have a little update post.  Last Saturday Justin turned the big 25 years old!  Geez..... old man.  We had a great party with friends playing Mario Kart (two tv's everyone... we take our Mario Kart very seriously.  It was legit.) where I made and served the most delicious cupcakes and then his side of the family came over on Sunday to celebrate as well!  25.... my goodness.

So we just ended spring semester at school.  We are both anticipating our final grades and have our fingers crossed so tight!  The unknown is a doozy.  We are both taking summer classes and continuing in the fall as well.  He gets done so soon!  He's only got about a year left and I only have about eternity left.  This too shall pass. (So they say).

Our excited faces... or just mine.

It feels so good to be writing on the blog again and going around and reading my favorite blogs as well.  It's been too long.  I'm determined to be a little better with the blog from now on but you just never know what the future will knock you on the head with.  Never a dull moment.  I hope everyone is enjoying their Thursday!  I think after work I'm going to take a very much needed nap; for like 16 hours.  Then I think I will be close to catching up on my sleep :)

xoxo                                  

                                

I sure do LOVE Valentine's Day

But who wouldn't when you have the most incredible Valentine ever!!!!!  Luckiest girl :)  Last night was incredible.  I really wanted to stay home and cook dinner then just watch a movie in our living room.  It was absolutely PERFECT.  I made the most amazing Chicken Cordon Bleu ever for dinner.... it takes a long time to make but oh so worth it!  Then we watched Date Night for the first time and could not stop laughing!

Seriously.... I LOVE Valentine's Day.

 Started the day out getting these incredible surprise flowers from Justin at work.

Yes we do have leftovers!  Come and get some!

 ^^ Gifts from Justin.... I love that he picks out amazing outfits for me all the time!  And they always fit perfectly!  Seriously.... he is incredible. ^^

I hope you all had such a beautiful Valentine's Day.  It's never about whether or not you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse.  But really its just taking a day to appreciate your family, friends, and even yourself.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

and thank goodness it's Friday.

xoxo                                  

                                

I'm back!

but only for a few days..... what with going to Cancun for the next week and all.

I SERIOUSLY CANNOT EVEN WAIT!

I am completely unable to focus and I started packing like... last week.  Granted everything is basically unpacked because I had to use most of what was in there for this week.  It is what is.

Taking a break was much needed!  I had lots of other things that took my time away but I'm excited to start writing again!  

SOME UPDATES:

I have now lost 29lbs!  I know it's ridiculous.  It feels amazing and I am so happy!  Especially when I got size 12 pants for my birthday in June and yesterday I went to the mall and tried on a size 6 pair of jeans and they fit perfectly! Ah.........

and.....

Someone cut off his luscious locks!  Can't say that I mind.... :)  He looks so handsome!  Thanks Justin... I love you!

 

 

 He wanted to try out a mullet first.... hahahaha oh my goodness we were all dying!

 Before and After!  He misses his long hair already.  But he did it for me and I am truly grateful.

Early last week I was debating on whether or not I should put up Christmas since we were going to be gone for almost half the month anyway.  Then Justin said how nice it would be to come home with everything all festive and decorated..... that definitely made me decide to do it!  I'm so glad I did!  I love Christmas!  Even though we were a little late putting it up, I still think we have had plenty of time to enjoy it.

  Looking at Netflix I found a "movie" called Fireplace in your home.  Turns out... it's just a recording of a fireplace with all the crackles and noises it makes!  We pretend it brings in warmth and get all comfy-cozy!

I can't believe we leave on vacation in two days!  One big thing I'm missing is Ariel's and Kalinja's Nutcracker performance.  We have gone every year.... All of us girls have all been in it but Ariel and Kalinja have stuck with it all this time and they are both so fabulous!  I regret that I am going to miss it.... they are going to be so amazing!  If you live in Utah and want to see Utah Regional Ballet's rendition of the Nutcracker please go!  You will be glad you did!  It's at the new Covey Center for the Arts down in Provo.  It's quite the amazing Christmas tradition for sure.

Happy Holidays everyone!

xoxo                                  

                                

Making ourselves sick

You all know what big Olive Garden fans we are.  We went again and it did not disappoint.  My boss had recently told me that I had been doing a good job at work (atta-girl...) and said that Justin and I should take ourselves out to dinner spending up to $100 with full reimbursement. 

No need to twist my arm....

So instead of dressing up and going to a fancy-shmancy restaurant we stayed comfy and ordered every type of thing we could on the menu.  Soda's, specialty drinks, appetizer, entree's, and desserts. Yes it is plural.  Meaning 2.  As in we both got our own.  Oh dear....

We were about done just after the appetizer. (Advice, don't order an appetizer that consists of all heavy cheese and expect to eat your meal.  Not gonna happen.) We had drank so much soda and Strawberry Daquiri (non-alcoholic people... Justin is just faking his past-outedness.  Never had a drop in my life but I'm guessing no one could get drunk off a sip of strawberry daquiri.  But I'm only guessing.)

 

 

We did take the dessert home..... and yes.  This pumpkin cheesecake with whip cream caramel and brown sugar was divine.  and there is still some waiting for me at home.  Trying to be patient.

Full to bursting people. 

It was so uncomfortable.

I'll tell you this though... even though we had to sit there and wait for so much food to digest before even being able to stand up, we were able to have some great conversation and much needed quality time together.  

LOVE THAT.  

xoxo                                  

                                

ROCK-O-WEEN

Second performance last night for the new band: Phantasm

It was such a great turn out! 

Pretty sure there was about 20 people crammed into that living room.

Pics and little snippet of video for you to enjoy!  

What do you think? 

Justin is the one playing bass wearing that hat...

 just so you know.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Thanks Summer Jones for the epic photos!
And as far as the video's go.... They are awesome quality on my phone but for some reason when I transfer them to blogger they get all fuzzy.  Sorry about that.

xoxo                                  

                                

Missing this boy

photo from our engagement pictures by Dan Hixson Photography

I've been reading others blogs about how they miss their husbands so much since school has started back up again.  I would read them and feel so bad because I would not like to be away from Justin!  He is in school and the first little bit wasn't bad at all.  Now that the back to school fun is over with and it is getting down to the nitty-gritty..... I'm starting to understand what those other girls were talking about.  I don't like it. Not one bit.  However, I do understand that this is what needs to be done to ensure our good life in the future.  I'm not blind to that fact.  The process just sucks.  REALLY sucks. I can make it through for another 2 years or so.  To all those girls who have husbands in school..... let's start a club.  Then we can BOO-HOO all we want to and take pity on each other.  OH!  and eat cookies.

  xoxo                                  

                                  

P.S. Dearest Justin,  do not worry that I miss you so much.  This is my silly absurd way of letting you know how proud I am of you.  You're working so hard and have such an amazing talent for Graphic Design.  I am such a lucky girl.

Cake

Not the band.....

But actual delicious, mouth-watering, anniversary celebrating cake.  Lemme tell you...... the lady who made our cake for our wedding is phenomenal!!! I know her personally but never knew her talent until my wedding day!  I am one lucky girl to have quite a connection.  She does this amazing thing where she gives you a free anniversary cake!  The exact same as your cake top!  How great is that!  Ours was red velvet at the wedding and we ate that one 6 months ago.  You can see how much we enjoyed it here!!  Our bottom layer of our wedding cake was her chocolate raspberry flavor.  Even though that is the flavor that we shoved into each others mouths at our reception..... well.... it's hard to remember some details of that day.  Including how good the cake was.  So we changed the red velvet to chocolate raspberry and we were definitely not disappointed!!

Here is our wedding cake (that I designed.... not to brag but I am really proud!  It's beautiful!)

 Isn't it to die for????? My flowers were done by Blossom Sweet.

Here are some pictures of our cake eating funtivites from last night :)

 I know this picture is super duper cheesy.... but it's our anniversary!  What do you expect! haha.

Oooo it was so yummy. Susan Fox is amazing!  Here is a link to her site.  Everything she has is delicious!  I recommend visiting her quaint little store and while you are there do not leave without one of her lemon bars.  YUM.....

Currently I am at work and just so super tired.  I keep sneaking in reading time while the bosses are away.... I just want to be at home with my book in the tub.  Maybe with my hubby cooking dinner too ;)

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Bliss . . . . .

  Alright now.... Enough daydreaming.  Only 2 more hours of work to go.

I think I can - I think I can - I think I can ----

Happy Hump Day!  Hopefully this weekend comes soon!