Newport Beach Anniversary

As you all know {or at least I'm assuming so cause you just love to read about my every move} last week was Ryan & I's 2 year anniversary {June 4th}! Seeing as how the husband works till 9:30 every night we postponed our date until Sunday {his only day off} and we made our way over to Newport Beach. For as overcast as it was, the beach was packed! We meandered around the shops, used the fun pier binoculars to people watch, put our feet in the ocean/sand, and of course took pictures to document our anniversary :) We then made our way home to grab my favorite treat...PAN DULCE from our new hole-in-the-wall mercado {I promptly stuffed my face with said pan} and ended the day with family Sunday dinner. Such a low key & relaxing day, just what we needed!

What I've Learned In 2 Years of Marriage

{June 4, 2011}

I honestly cannot even believe it's been 2 years...2 YEARS. When posting anniversary hoopla on Facebook some friends/family said "it's been one year right?"...nope! 2 years! Ya, I'm just about as stunned as you are. I can't figure where the time went! My dad tells me that hitting 25 years feels about the same, craziness! I don't know where to begin with this post...perhaps I'll share my limited marriage wisdom I've procured these past two years?

What I've learned in 2 years of marriage:

+ Pick your battles. Socks left on the floor is not much to nag about...but milk left out on the counter? Hmmmm, yes. I don't need to be drinking sour milk the next day {which has actually happened}

+ Recognize that you are in this together. Make decisions that will help in your progression as a couple and a future family. 

+ "You're only as strong as your weakest link"...seeing as how you are in this together, your weakness becomes something you conquer as a couple and vice versa. 

+ Share your strengths & talents with one another to fill in the gaps {i.e. I communicate probably too much and he not so much...I taught him how to talk about feelings!}

+ Even though it's gotten ahem..."comfortable", leave the tooting/nose picking to the bathroom. We need a little freaking mystery people.

+ Learn each other's "fighting" styles and accommodate. I like to fix things right away whereas Ryan likes to take a breather. We have now found a balance that makes us both happy.

+ Encourage each other to be better. To cultivate skills and talents, to pursue your passions. It makes both of you better people and everyone happier.

+ Listen listen listen. It's easy to throw criticism at others while it's difficult to hear it about yourself. Reminding yourself that your spouse it there to help & love you will make it easier to hear the things you need to work on. Then ask for help on it, if needed!

+ Make the time to show that you appreciate one another, give service. {keep each other in mind, do the dishes while she's at work, or make his favorite dinner when he is studying}

+ Look to those who have been married for a long time for practical advice.

+ Give hugs/kisses & say I love you every single day :)

Due to Ryan's crazy work schedule {being home at 9:00pm every night}, on our anniversary day I picked up dinner from Wood Ranch and bought myself some gorgeous peonies from Trader Joes. It was simple, no gifts, no going out, nothing too fancy...but I loved it just the same. We talked about our day, laughed about how crazy the past two years have been and planned out our anniversary date for this Sunday {his only day off}. We're heading to the beach, relaxing in the sun, and eating some delish food on the pier. Can't wait! :) 

Thanks to everyone for wishing us a happy anniversary!

Currently Drooling...

Over this Victoria Secret swimsuit!
Floral print, underwire top {in my size}, AND leopard print accents?
A swimsuit after my own heart!

This swimsuit will for sure help motivate me to keep eating healthy
and keep up with regularly going to the gym!
It will also serve as a reminder to work hard so Ryan & I can go on that
 4-day Mexico cruise we've been looking to take for our 2 year anniversary.
{I need to look smokin' hot for said cruise, yowza!}

I've been longing for Spring/Summer colors & clothes while
I practically turn into an icicle in this dreadful 0 DEGREE weather.
The warmest it's been in lovely Provo the past week is 20 degrees.

Spring/Summer, please come quick!!
I don't know how much longer my inner-Californian can take this...

Being Married=Date Nights Whenever

When you are married, I guess the weekend doesn't mean much anymore.

We got all gussied up, grabbed myself a DC on the rocks, and hit up the theater for MIB3.....

on a Tuesday.

Then all weekend I was working. {A little backwards, I know!}

AKA we totally do date nights whenever the heck we want.

Look at us being all rebellious :)

Not gonna lie, being married is the bees knees.

Date nights whenever, we get to come home to each other every night, we work together, spoil each other, and have a beautiful home & relationship together.

Granted, marriage is really hard work.

That's why I {obviously} love Ryan.

He makes things simpler & easier to deal with.

Makes life into "bite size" chunks for me when I get overwhelmed.

We can tell each other where we are falling short, and then we help each other to grow.

We work as a team, as partners, as equals and all towards a common goal.

Top: Loft//Skirt, Purse: Anthropologie//Jacket: American Eagle//Wedges: Ross//Bracelets: F21, Fossil, AE.

Why am I being all sappy you ask?

Only cause it's our one year anniversary tomorrow!

Lookin' back on this year, I've realized "Holy crap, this has been the hardest year of my life"

All filled with skin cancer, knee surgeries, deaths, family drama, school difficulties, and job scams; suffice it to say we have had a lot on our plate.

I know for a fact that my Heavenly Father brought us together at the right time for a reason.

We needed each other, to shoulder the burden of all the trials we would both endure.

It may have been the hardest year of my life, but it has also been the happiest.

I've learned so much and grown leaps & bounds since I have become Mrs. Brianna Rios.

I am so grateful for my amazing husband/best friend.

You are so kind, loving, giving, & selfless, and gosh I'm just so lucky to have you.

Love you Ry :)

<3 Bri

6 Months

Today marks Ryan and I's 6 month anniversary! 

It's weird how fast time flies when you're having fun.

Met: October 22, 2010.

First date: November 3, 2010.

Facebook official bf/gf: December 1, 2010.

He met the fam: December 3, 2010.

Ryan's first trip ever to Disneyland: December 4, 2010.

Decided to get married: January 2011.

Actually engaged: March 31, 2011.

Married: June 4, 2011. 

When you know, you know. Right?

What did we do today?

Go to church. Do dishes. And eat mass amounts of brownies. 

Yup, we are wayyy romantic.

I made this beauty last night and we totes ate most all of it today.

We LOVE brownies.

Brownie Fruit Pizza.

I'll post the recipe tomorrow cause seriously, it is so dang delicious.

 Ryan is pullin' me to watch The Office and to cuddle. Love having a constant cuddle buddy.

So I gotta go!

<3 Bri