hello, beautiful

Oh, this city.  

I don't think I've been more blown away by the beauty of this neighborhood than this spring.  It's been absolutely celestial.  If I imagine heaven.... there's got to be this many cherry blossoms, magnolia trees, etc. everywhere.  These pictures were from our anniversary weekend.  Nelson surprised us with a picnic at Piers Park in East Boston.  I wish I could have spent every day there during this blossoming part of the year.  In a bittersweet moment though, it's been starting to fade.  Neon pink turns to baby pink to white.... to green.  Not just any green, but the brightest green you've ever seen.  It's fascinating to see this vivid of colors everywhere and I do love the green, but there was something so magical about cherry blossoms floating around you.  A light pink snow enveloping you in it's airy music.  Breathtaking.  

I guess it's about time we say it..... but in a blink of an eye, our time here in Boston has come to an end. We will be spending the next chapter of our lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina!! Another pretty portion of this country.  We really are lucky to be putting roots down in some gorgeous places.  The thought of moving brings pangs of all different emotions.  One hand, I am so sad to leave this place. our home. especially since seeing this spring.  It saddens me that Auden is leaving before being able to comprehend and experience Boston.  The other hand, Chapel Hill is so alluring... with it's siren song of comfortable, more suburban-like living.  Oh, but I have loved living in this city!  The fact that we essentially only use the car once a week has been fabulous.  So many activities available at the tip of our fingers.  So attainable.  But Chapel Hill feels right.  We know this is where we are supposed to be, and because of that, the pain of saying goodbye lessens a little bit.  For those who haven't been able to see us while we've lived here.... don't worry!  A part of us will always be here and we'll be happy to come visit with you. Also, anyone up for renting a beach house along the coast of NC?  Won't that be a bucket full of fun?? :) 

P.S. I realize that these pictures are very similar to our Forest Hills Cemetery adventure...

I guess I like to throw nature in Auden's face?? ;) He sure does love it though. 

the day we said "yes"

Sunday was our anniversary.

The day we said "yes" to eternity to together.  The day we remember the unconquerable feeling of bliss.  April 28th was the day that nothing did or could have gone wrong.  When I look back at our pictures from that day, I feel like we look like babies.  We look so young and little; completely unaware of the journey ahead.  But most importantly... that reminiscence of beautiful ignorance, brings smiles.  That glorious, sunny, perfect day was an absolute.  Nothing was going to stop us from being happy.  I need more of that.  Every day I feel like I am burdened by the items on my to do list I haven't done.  I need more of that bliss I felt on April 28th because that was heaven.  I get other bits of heaven when I am with Auden, but it's still different from that momentous day.  Auden is an escape and a haven.  April 28th was a day of love. and love is all we need, right? love conquers all, right? With perfect love comes a perfect brightness of hope.  When I became a mother, my love for Auden was automatic and complete right as I met him.  With Nelson, it had to grow and continues to be refined.  But April 28th was a cherry on top.  A burst of freshness.  That is why I will always love my anniversary.  Because it reminds me of that bright, beautiful, spiritual, wonderful, and miraculous day.  Every year I have a day to remember.  Thanks for choosing me, Nelson Pace.  Thanks for letting me choose you.  Thank you for going on this adventure with me.  In the wise words of Buzz Lightyear, "to infinity and beyond!"  

photos by the talented jacque lynn

previous anniversary post: here

{not sure}

I wasn't sure what to title this... 

AAAAAHHHHH! 

That's how I feel when I think about updating this blog. Where do I start!?!

Why is it so difficult for me to just sit and write a couple paragraphs and post some pictures?? I even made it more convenient for me by connecting my phone to my computer so that all the pictures I take are directly uploaded. It's so easy! But has that laziness? No.  I don't even have school anymore to blame.  I have a baby though... does that work? Oh this boy.  I'm either feeding him, feeding myself, or cleaning up the mess from those feedings.  He's over two months now-- two months! Has it really been two months since I became a mom?  Come Friday, he'll be into the double-digit ages [in weeks].  He's getting so big! He's turning into a little boy. A chunky little boy.  I can't even begin to describe how much I love it.  He's our chunka. He's smiling a lot, he's practicing his sweet little laugh [he chuckles in his sleep! It's adorable... but sometimes a tiny bit.. creepy...], and he's a talker.  He talks so much.  Just now, I was putting him to sleep and he gave me a 3-minute speech.  I'm sure it was about how he really wasn't tired and he wanted to stay up.  In the end, he surrendered.  He's sound asleep now.  

On Saturday, Nelson and I celebrated..... OUR ANNIVERSARY! Oh yeah!! We made it a year!  Only forever more to go! :) not a bad thing at all.  I woke up to a vase of flowers by Auden's crib, a note, and fruit!  We had a really laid-back special day, but the one thing we were determined to do was go to the temple.  It had been a few months and we thought we'd try out the adventure.  It was a wonderful success and what better way to celebrate our marriage! And the end of the night, we stayed up late and watched "Equilibrium." Nelson's favorite movie.  He thought it was about time we watched it together.  Impressed I was.  

April 28, 2011

April 28, 2012

 Boy have things changed in one year! :)

A year ago....

On September 17, 2010, I got a call from my friend.  He called to tell me that his sister was having a bbq at her house because of a Korean holiday [she and her husband served missions in Korea] and wanted to see if I wanted to go. Well...  I wanted it to be a date... he seemed like he wasn't asking me out... so, I told him "I'd love to go with you!" and offered him to pick me up. :)  [luckily we were good enough friends for this to not be too crazy forward desperate weird]

The next day, September 18, 2010, I studied in the library in the morning/afternoon for the LSAT, and he ran a marathon. Oh yeah, no biggie. Just a marathon.  Then a date. After running his marathon, this boy picked me up and we headed over to his sister's house. We had a lot of fun, like always when we spend time together. We got to know each other more and socialize with his family and friends. It was a blast!  

We had gone out a couple times before, and had been friends for a year... but this time, I thought that the timing was right, and I knew I wanted to date him. When we got to my house after the bbq, I didn't want the night to end just yet. So, I said, "let's go for a walk!" --> this [I feel], is the typical BYU/Provo thing to do-- go on a walk.  So yeah, I pulled out that card.  I absolutely loved it. The weather was great: a crisp, Utah fall night; conversation was not lagging; handsome boy walking next to me... how could things be better?? 

Poor boy though, he ran a marathon earlier that day.  I put him out of his misery and we walked back to my house.  Before he left though, I gave him a pumpkin cupcake. Could I have made it any more obvious that I liked him and wanted to date him?? I gave him a cupcake for cryin' out loud.  :)  [and my pumpkin cupcakes are pretty goood if I say so myself... I knew if this didn't get to him, then nothing would!] Well, I did the last thing possible to make it known to him that I wanted to see him in the future: I sent him the after-date text.  THE text that tells the boy that you had fun. aka: I want to go out with you again.  Man... I felt so silly by the end of day.  But, taking my history with him in the past [I was pretty confusing-- ask him, he'll tell ya-- and things just didn't pan out for us in the past], and how much I liked him, it had to be done!!! 

Well, this boy is my husband now. A year ago today, never did we think we'd be sitting in an apartment together, five months of marriage under our belts, and the happiest we've ever been. It's been the best year. ever. It has been the funnest year. Marriage has been the most amazing ride I have ever been on.  And, it's with my best friend.  

happy 1 year anniversary [of dating], husband!! 

many more days/weeks/years of dates to come!! 

prior to skyping with family... 

Christmas Party 2010

what's up with the gopher face, Ginnie? 

"go-go-go-gopher face, go-go-go-gopher face"

September 18, 2011: Happy in Boston

PS: this day is also super special because it's our nephew's birthday!! happy 4th birthday, Bubs!! we love you so much!!