Weekend Update: Cornbelly's

Growing up I absolutely LOVED Halloween, probably because my parents would go all out for decorations and costumes. I still relish the Hallowen decorating, wearing fun costumes, watching Nightmare Before Christmas, making Halloween treats, and handing out candy. My dad & I even bought a remote rat one year for Halloween! We hid in the window, watching the front door for trick-or-treaters and would then race the fake rat up and scare little kids with it. Cheap entertainment! Ryan on the other hand is a little freaked out by Halloween, mostly because he grew up thinking there was a cucuy living in his closet...so I gotta make sure my decor is "cute-sy" enough so it doesn't scare him. 

I found a Groupon to hit up Cornbelly's in Lehi, a corn maze/pumpkin fest, and snatched it right up. It was our first time going {and doing really anything Halloween-related} and it was super fun! We took the hay ride, walked through the little kid corn maze, played beanbag games, looked at all the fun Halloween decor, watched a pig race, and picked out mini pumpkins. Nothing too scary ;) Then we ended our date with Cafe Rio pork salads & burritos, what better way to cap off the night?!

What's your favorite part about Halloween? 

Are you a scared-y cat?

Weekend Update: Uber Late Date Night

Right after Ryan got off work on Friday night {around 9:30pm} I hustled his bum out the door cause we had a movie to catch at 10:30. I spent all this time getting dolled up for our uber late night date and gosh darn it we were gonna see Despicable Me 2! Usually I would not even be alive at 10:30 at night, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do when the husband isn't home 'till what feels like the middle of the night. At a company picnic a few weeks ago Ryan wrestled the holy tar out of some other sales guys and won us free movie tickets. Ohhh the perks of having a super buff husband...that other guys are scared to wrestle. Mwhahaha! Our date night consisted of hilarious minions, homemade quesadillas, and a super late bedtime {that we could barely handle....we are so old!}. How was your weekend?

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!

Married in Provo

{Walking home from school in the warmth...aka 30 degrees}

Provo, Utah
Where LDS young adults from all of the country {and world} come to attend Brigham Young University to complete their schooling...aaaaaand to more importantly find a husband or wife.

When you are single and in the dating game here, you immediately "ring check" a cute potential date to make sure they aren't married.
And you always have this thought floating in the back of your mind when meeting someone new:

 "Could this person be who I marry??"

Honestly, it is such a weird culture.

Now that I've been married for almost 2 years and am almost graduated from BYU,

 it's funny to see how people who are 'single' react to me.

{It's sad that we even divide people by singles or marrieds...

it reminds me of muggles & wizards. Nerd alert.}

One thing that I literally want to run around and SCREAM in people's faces on campus is:

"STOP CONFUSING MY KINDNESS FOR FLIRTING"

Seriously though.

You hold a door open for someone, say hello, talk to them in class,

 or even more shocking...you dare SMILE at them?!

Provo-ites construe that as flirting, and if you have a ring on?

They are appalled that you even went out of your way and did anything nice because if you didn't already know...you're MARRIED and cannot treat anyone 'single' as a human being.

Ohhhhh Provo.
*defeated sigh*

*Click here for more info on the Valentine's Blogger Bash*

Dating-esque Advice

ONE MORE FINAL! 

Whilst I'm studying, you should go check out the dating advice guest post I wrote for Simple Serendipity :)
And I was also featured on the "Be In Style Fashion Blog"!

<3 Bri