Cabin thoughts



Roasting Marshmallows

Last night Jared and I went to the cabin again for a getaway.  It really is nice to have a place to go that completely seperates you from the world.  We have no cell phone, internet, cable, regular phone or hot water.  No heating/air conditioning, neighbors or friends... for just one night it is me and Jared.  I think that being in those conditions makes me so much more thankful for my surroundings.  You can see SO many stars while you're roasting marshmallows or sitting on the porch rocking chairs.  It's almost magical.  When family is up there with us it's even better.  We play games, cookout, watch movies and sometimes even take naps :)  This weekend we rented movies and had midnight movie nights.  My favorite was Source Code... it's about a man who has to go back through someones mind and figure out how to stop a bombing from happening in downtown Chicago.  It was one of those movies that makes you think. 
Anyways, it's always fun up there... even when we lose a horseshoe in the creek :)

8.6.10-Exactly one year ago today...

It's fun keeping a journal because you get to go back and read about everything that happened in your life.  It's almost like having a third person view of everything and learning more about yourself, I love it and hope I keep going through the blog!  One year ago today here was my journal entry...

       "I hung out with a guy named Jared Powers today.  We went up Big Cottonwood to his cabin and had a BBQ with a bunch of peoople and I had an awesome time!  Beore everyone got there we sat by the waterfall (!) and just talked and joked around.  I kind of wished we had more alone time like that.  He's way cute sweet and funny." 

I remember I couldn't believe how lucky I was to be his date.  I still feel just as lucky to be spending eternity with him and our sweet baby (more to come hopefully... lol). 

Corny, huh? 

A New Beginning

Back up... I forgot to start at the beginning... :)
Everyone needs new beginnings.  At 20 I was definitely in need of one.  I packed up my things and without telling hardly anyone and was our of Maryland within a week of my decision.  I had so many people who helped me through everything.  A change that big is actually really scary for me.  I had a family friend, Jared Davis, give me a blessing.  I needed comfort from my Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I had the strength to do this.  He and his wife both talked to me and made me feel loved and that they cared about me.  My family gave me the support I needed and loved me the whole way.  Even though they couldn't be here in person they were definitely there in spirit.  One of my very best friends, Laura, made the treck with me across the country!  What a sweet girl.  I hope I can be like her one day.  She dropped EVERYTHING and went with me as soon as I needed her.  Laura's whole family helped me by being there for me when I needed them.  Her father and husband gave me a beautiful blessing promising me that I would be storong and courageous in this trip.  It convinced me even more that I could do this.
I left July 8, 2010.  I threw everything I could in my little 2005 Mustang GT.  That thing was packed full.  The first day was hard and full of tears.  I had left my friends without letting more than a few know. 

That trip was one of the best and most healing of my life.  Within 3 days, I knew where my life was going and what I needed out of it.  Laura and I had many fun nights in hotels, trips to Omaha, Nebraska where the historical Winter Quarters is located. 

We ate out where we wanted when we wanted, and if we didn't want regular food we went to a local Walmart and bought snap peas, ranch, cheese and bread.  We got stuck in the most "podunk" towns in America and the only one I can remember the name of is Toledo, like the saying "Holy Toledo".  Worst. Town. Ever.  Don't go there.  Nothing exciting.  Another town we had a horrible feeling about and got lost for probably an hour or so because the GPS wasn't working right.  It was really scary but all we could do was pray and call her awesome husband, Derek, to help us find a hotel.

Finally we arrived in Utah!  I believe it was July 10, 2010.  We saw family, unpacked and relaxed all day.  What would I do with my first week there?  Well it was full of church (on Sunday the 11th), shopping, food and fun.  Everything we could think of doing together we did.  I'm so thankful I have her in my life.  I will always owe her big time and hope someday I can return the favor. 

On July 16, Laura had to leave.  It was hard for me because that meant everything started.  I was alone in this huge city with no friends.  I stayed inside most of the time and hung out with my awesome Grandma and Grandpa Johnson.  When I wasn't there, I was with Grandma and Grandpa Thurgood.  I'm so thankful for the time I had with them all by myself, but it was darn well time for me to make some friends.  Instead of being shy at church I tried to talk to new people every time and go to all of the activities.  I strengthened old relationships, met new friends through old friends, but most of all I learned more about my wonderful family. 

Britton, meet your future...

Look how lonely he
was without me!

While a year may sound like such a short period of time, I rewind a year of my life and find myself meeting my now-husband! It was an awkward meeting because we were introduced a week earlier but I didn't actually remember that because of the insane amount of people I met then. The conversation went like this...
"Hey britton!"
"Hey!" Turn to a girl next to me, "how does he know my name?"
So from there someone over heard my comment and told jared what I had said (thanks a lot Archie). I apologized after sacrament and asked what his name was it all started from there. There's lots more details but Beckham will have to ask about those later :)  We exchanged numbers and it all went from there. Gotta love him!

Our Real Life Love Story

Everyone has their love story.  Some are normal and some are something like out of a Disney movie.  I'm convinced that Jared and I could write a book about all of our stories.
Long story short, when I sold my laptop I lost a lot of history about Jared and I.  In my written journal I have everything up to 2 days before he proposed, and everything else was lost...  It's really frustrating but I hope I can remember everything.  I want to remember details about how things looked and felt. 
I want to start from the beginning.  I don't want anything lost.  I want my kids someday to be able to go and look at how we became a family, so without furter adieu the next post will begin my fairy tale story. 

Buca, I apologize for stealing...

I'm actually REALLY proud of myself.  I don't consider myself a gormet cook or even someone who could impress a crowd, but last night both of my boys (yes, Beckham included) were impressed!  Our favorite thing from Buca is Spicy Chicken Rigatoni and thanks to the internet I found it :)  Hello savings!  We usually pay about $20 for the smaller meal (without our amazing $10 off coupon), but all in all it was about $10 for a large portion!  Yay me :)  It's pretty spicy, but all you have to adjust is the crushed red pepper.
Here's the recipe:
Buca di Beppo's Spicy Chicken Rigatoni

1/4 c oil

1/2 T crushed red pepper

1/8 t salt

1/8 t ground black pepper

1 T chopped garlic

6 oz chicken, sliced

3/4 c. Marinara sauce

1/2 c Alfredo sauce

2 t butter

1/4 c peas

1 lb Mezzi Rigatoni pasta, cooked according to package directions (I use penne... Rigatoni is harder to find)

1. In a sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add crushed red pepper, salt, black pepper and garlic and sauté just long enough for garlic to caramelize and red pepper to release flavor into the oil. 

2. Add sliced chicken and sauté briefly to coat in spices and garlic.

3. Add Marinara Sauce first and then Alfredo Sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and chicken has cooked throughly.  Take off heat, add butter and peas and incorporate into sauce.

4. Cook pasta according to directions on box. Let drain for 15 seconds. Toss with the sauce. Place pasta and sauce in pasta bowl, reserving the majority of the chicken to be placed on top of the pasta. Using a rubber spatula, scrape any remaining sauce from the pan to the pasta. Garnish with crushed red pepper and serve.

Other than that, this month has been full of family, Trinity's birthday (YAY!) and spending time with my hubby.  This past week we've spent a couple of days at the cabin.  I loved it.  Jared and I just sat outside feeling as if we were the only people in the world and made s'mores.  We played cards and watched movies together.  I'm so excited for my baby to be here but I will definitely miss the easy days when we could pack up and go wherevr we wanted whenever we wanted to.  Here in 3 months we'll be starting a new, wonderful adventure! 

Summer lovin' ;)

Dear friends, family and potential stalkers (hehe, kidding),
So many fun things are going on this amazing time of year! I love summer so much.
I love...
Spending time with my amazing family
Skyping with dad and taking funny pictures
Sleepovers with trinity
Father in law visits!
Fireworks
Carmel apples
Baby bump (22 weeks)
Trying not to laugh while jared dances funny
Warm days
Soccer games
Slushies
Upcoming football season!
I am so happy with life. I'm a mom to be to my little Beckham, I have a wonderful husband. I get to see my mom and siblings all of the time and I get to see my dad in less than 2 months!
Life. Is. Good.
<3