update shmupdate

AH!
It feels like things have been running a million miles around here basically since the day Nash was born, and I'm just now finding time here and there to slooooooowwww down. Parenthood I guess?

Anyways, the last month or so has been a good one! Nash and I made our way down to Florida for a month, where we soaked up the last bit of sun, and time with my family, before they move to Michigan. Florida to Michigan, I know right?!

Could you just die over his chubby, pale body in that swimsuit? Heart eyes, seriously. 

Also he loved the pool, which was shocking to all of us. But then again, most content baby ever so....

In the middle of our trip, my cousin got married in D.C., where we then spent a week playing tourist. I miss that wonderful city. I can't believe we were lucky enough to live there!
Nash was amazing the whole time. He hardly fussed, sleeping 7 hours a night, blah blah blah wonderful baby blah blah. I was pinching myself, believe me!

And now we are back in Utah, enjoying time together as our little family of 3 before school and real life starts again. Christian officially accepted a full time job in Salt Lake after we finish in December, so I dare say this is the last of our semi-relaxing student life for a while. It's incredible that after 6 years, it is coming to and end. Admittedly, Provo has a giant piece of my heart I don't think I will ever get back. I love my sweet, weird college town.

Also, I still can't get over the fact that we will be in SLC for several more years.
And I'm a little excited about it?
What's happening to me?!

Now we just need someone to find us an apartment. Any takers? ;)

the vacation let-down

Obviously I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus.
I shut down my facebook about a month and a half ago
(or rather, I had Christian change my password so I've unable to log in, 
much to my dismay during finals week ha!)
And being off facebook kind of shut down my desires to peruse other social media sites, ESPECIALLY while we were in Florida with our families.

But now here I am.
Back to the blog.
And back in dumb old Utah.

Ever since getting married, I have felt a serious case of family cling-y-ness.
Maybe it's my brothers growing up.
Mckay getting ready to leave on his mission.
The fact that my family is no longer just a 10 hour drive away.
That my mom is the most darling and hilarious woman I know,
or that my dad is the sweetest and best advice giver.
Or maybe I've been lucky enough to experience a paradigm shift and I'm slowly learning even more what REALLY matters in this life.
Regardless, leaving Florida was HARD.

 And after spending two weeks airboating through the everglades, watching water polo games, playing with our sweet puppies, going to the temple, trekking through miami, having a "happy everything party", water color painting, endless lunch dates, collecting sea shells on sanibel island, rejoicing in the humidity, getting sunburned and spending hours and hours laughing and talking.......

I'm pretty grouchy about being back to real life today.

(Maybe the fact that I'm jet-laggy AND I had a hot pocket for lunch today isn't helping either.
Let's be real. Hot pockets are the worst.)

Here are some pictures.
And that's all.

The Miami skyline is seriously PERFECTION.

I'm really pushing to get an internship down there next summer (and convince my sweet husband that it's a good idea!). Oh how I would kill to be down there every day!

YOU GUYS. 

There are wild peacocks all over South Florida. 

Seriously my family had 5 in their yard a few weeks ago. And you thought alligators was crazy.

Speaking of alligators.......

I love the Everglades so much. 

Plain and simple.

Also, LOOK AT THAT ALLIGATOR.

I also love this guy. 

Happy 1 year and 2 day anniversary to us!

This is basically Florida in a picture.

Again, perfection.

The Orlando temple holds a special place in my heart. So happy we got to be there for Elise on her special day! Tahiti is so lucky to be getting her!

Art deco and fancy cars. 

Miami beach is so ballin.

This is what happens when mom, Christian and I are bored at Target. 

We raid the party aisle, and then we have a "happy everything" bash just for the heck of it. 

Seriously one of the best nights I think I've ever had with my family. One for the books, to be sure.

CUTEST COUPLE AWARD!

I don't know how I didn't get any pictures of M&D.
(Which is a shame because at one point, my dad was wearing a light-up mohawk.
Seriously. 
And let's be real, the back of mom's head while she's alligator hunting doesn't count as a good picture.
Although I do love me some good alligator hunting shots)

end of the semester blues

I've been staring at a computer screen for about 10 straight hours today. 

Sooooo basically my eyes are shriveled up like raisins and my retinas are bleeding.

And I'm currently 4 finals

(I KNOW!)

3 days, 

And 1 red-eye flight away from seeing all of these dear people. 

In other news, it was officially decided today that my dearest best friend Nicole and I will be reunited in June for her BABY SHOWER!

We've basically been talking about this since we were 10 years old,  
swimming around in her hot tub pretending we were mermaids.

I'd say we've come pretty far, don't you think?

I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to cry like a baby for the entire weekend, and I couldn't be more excited about it. 

on a lighter note....

It's officially, officially official... 

CHRISTIAN AND I WILL BE IN FLORIDA IN 3 1/2 WEEKS!!!!

This is how that makes me feel!!

To our sweet families, the beach, palm trees, sandhill cranes, art deco, crazy drivers, tropical breeze, gators, country music, A1A, jewish new yorkers, humidity, Disney World and all other amazing things about Florida....

WE

ARE

COMING

FOR

YOU.

as if I needed another reason to love being home

I get to be kooky, AND play the piano as much as I want!

And everyone thinks I'm awesome at it!!

17 years later and my talent is finally being appreciated.

*WINK*

the moment we've been waiting for

So basically after a YEAR of planning, we are moving to Washington D.C....

TOMORROW.

I feel like a deer in headlights, thrilled, but also slightly terrified.

(Mostly because the people who I am working for in the fall keep telling me how ghetto everything outside of Georgetown is and I can't help but wonder if I will legitimately have to use my mace on someone before December. But anyways....)

We've been shopping for clothes for Christian's internship like it's our job

Check out this handsome bloke!

And today we are going to buy a bike rack so we can haul our transportation up north with us and peddle around D.C. like we own that place.

Also, this weekend while I was in Coral Springs, I got to spend Thursday-Saturday helping at the stake youth conference. (Which was seriously a BLAST, by the way)

5 hours of sleep and 3 trips to the store later, I was feeling a little loopy, so a break in the mother's room was much needed. 

And seeing as how my husband hadn't  laid eyes on my face in 4 days, I decided to make his life a little better by sending him these pictures. 

A texting war of "who can make the weirdest faces" ensued.

(Don't tell him, but I'm pretty sure I won.)

And now that I've assaulted you with WAY too many sides of my personality....

THE END.

P.S. Wish us luck this weekend. 

Hopefully the next time you hear from me, we will be settled in the Barlow Center, and loving life at our dream jobs of "nanny" and "intern at the Federal Judicial Center"....

 and not remembered as "knifing victims that died on L street".

because sometimes being happy is hard

I'm down in coral springs for the week visiting my family.

Sad... because our time here in Florida is almost done, and husband is not with me until Friday.

I miss hugging that man.

But also wonderful because I love being with people whose blood runs through my veins. 

Who I can take retarded photo booth pictures with, and eat out with, and shop with, and countrymusicsingalong with, and just be Brooke with

It's the best.

So basically now that summer is over, I'm just going to be real and admit that these last few months have been SO HARD. For a lot of reasons.

I'm totally cool with rough situations and big changes.

But I have learned that I don't deal well with a million of them at once.

Another thing I have learned is that sometimes its really hard to be happy. 

Even when you have a good life and a sweet husband and allotherthingsthataresupposedtomakeyouhappy.

So I was REALLY glad when I came across this article tonight.  

Sometimes you just need a little reminder to seek out the little rays of sunshine.

And even when you can't control everything around you, you CAN control these things.

I hope it sticks with you as much as it did me.

i don't really have anything interesting to say...

.... So, sorry in advance. 

Basically here is what's been going on for the last week or so.

1. I still haven't been able to kick being sick

(obviously my rhyming habit is OUTTA CONTROL too)

Yesterday I went to the doctor, and I guess I have a kidney infection. 

That will be confirmed on Monday, but let me just tell you it is 0% fun, and 100% stupid.

*EXCEPT: Christian has decided that he wanted to watch all the Harry Potter movies with me during my down time. Just when I thought I couldn't love him any more...... no but really.....*

2. We got to spend last weekend with my family again, and this time we met the Carter side halfway down the coast, and had a big extended family reunion party at the beach.
We played bocce ball, collected about 20 pounds of sea shells, and just had an all around great time

(despite the 125 mosquito bites we contracted. Who knew they would be a problem at the beach?!)

Also here is a tip.

As awesome as it is to get your tan on when you go to the beach

(GUILTY!)

It is SO MUCH BETTER to go at like 3 in the afternoon and stay until the sun goes down.

*blisssigh*

And last but not least, Christian and I will be moving to Washington D.C. in approximately 20 days.
First, you can expect far more exciting posts starting around that time.
I know I know...... hang onto the edge of your seat folks, lest the anticipation kill you....

And second, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO LIVE IN DC FOR 3 MONTHS EEEEEP!

And that is all. 

hi-ho!

That's right, that's the song currently stuck in my head.

You know, the one from Snow White?

Probably that's because we have watched 12 episodes of "Once Upon A Time" in the last 2 days.

In case you can't infer enough, I am still sick and we have a Hulu Plus trial we are trying to make the most of.

*Also, if you have any sort of liking for fantasy, the show Lost, and things that make you think-slash-are addicting, then this is the show for you. SRSLY. *

So seeing as how yes, I am still under the weather, there is not much to say about our weekend.

Only that by the time I showered, fixed dinner, and headed out on my date with my sweet husband on Saturday night, I was way too tired to handle life. 

So we returned our movie tickets, came home, and I'm pretty sure we just went to bed after that.

Also, today when Christian got home from work, he just plopped down on the couch with me, and moments later this was the scene I was greeted with.

First: Adorable right? In case I haven't gushed very much lately, I like this guy.

Second: I will never understand how he can fall asleep so quickly. 

Seriously, he has a REM cycle that begins in approximately 30 seconds.

Third: When he woke up, he had drooled all over my bathrobe. 

And you thought things couldn't get any more presh around here....

so long, so long

So obviously it's been a long time since our last update. 

All I have to say is oh well. 

This summer has been a doozy, and I'm barely getting by just LIVING life sometimes.... let alone writing about all of it!

Here are some things that have been going on:

- Fun fourth of July. 

Barbeques, beach, family, baseball, and fireworks. Pretty standard!

*Notice how my eyelashes have grown back nicely since the fiasco after the wedding. I'm so proud of my little babies!*

Also a side note.... I ate a hamburger literally everyday that week. 

We take summer very seriously around here.

- My family has officially Florida-fied themselves.
So far, Christian and I have spent several weekends soaking up some good beach time with them. Life has such a wonderful and weird way of working out.
Aka I still can't believe that by some stroke of luck, they ended up moving here, right where my husbands family is from. And also where we ended up being for the summer.
The Lord works in mysterious wonderful ways, let me tell you.

- So remember how we spent a month in New Jersey, and I was jobless and desperate for work?
With lots of interviews and NO results?
 Well last week, a job opportunity just fell into my lap (or email rather) and after days of phone calls,
I HAVE A JOB IN DC THIS FALL. I didn't even have to look! It's been the biggest blessing... And made that tearful and crazy month totally worth it. Plus I will get to ride my bike everyday, right past all the cool monuments. Amazing, amazing, amazing.

- Reminded myself and everyone else how awesome my art skills are by drawing these Crayon gems everyday at work.

One of my kids said to me the other day "Why are teachers always so good at drawing?!"
(also how good I am at taking pictures that end up sideways on the blog?!)

Haha what a jokester.

- Christian and I celebrate our 3 month anniversary next week. That's about as long as we were engaged.
I cannot believe that, seeing as winter semester was excruciating for many reason and seemed to DRAAAAAG on and on.
I guess things are just better and more bearable when you are married to the love of your life.
Go fig.
Also we go on lots of cool dates together to celebrate this wonderful union of ours.
First stop last weekend, World Market. 
In case anyone ever wonders why I love that place, it's because you find cool things like this here.




And that's all she had to say about that.

same old same old...ish

- Lots of work, which included:

About 6 games of dodgeball, breaking up angsty teenage fights, pulling the little ones off my ankles, and lots of yelling instructions..... specifically of the "stoooop taaaaalking"  and "siiiiiit doooowwwn" kind.

 Oh summer camp. 

(For Christian, it included early mornings and lots of running around the back rooms of Target.)

- A normal, blissed out summer night.

Filled with burgers, warm weather, swimming, and a dip in the hot tub.

(maaaayyyybe that's where I spent the majority of the time... I can't seem shake my warm blooded tendencies. Arizona forever!!!!)

- Playing the LOST quote game with my brothers as they drive across the country. 

The rules:

They text me a LOST quote and I'm supposed to guess which character said it.

I'm inclined to answer Sawyer and Hurley for every quote, but I'm quickly learning that is the fastest way to losing, so I'm trying to branch out.

Also, I'm so happy my family is still as obssessed with that show as I am

- Running.

Christian and I are currently training for the International Peace half marathon in D.C. in September.

As fast and tough as he is, I'm BEYOND thankful he is my running buddy. He pushes me through all my cramping, head-achy, sweaty glory.

Also, I ran on the beach for the first time ever this week and WOW.

As much as it STANK for my poor flat feet and blistered toes, it was amazing.

Such a serene, beautiful place.

Also I'm getting these shoes this week.

LOVE. MY. ASICS.

Half the reason why I love running so much, let's be honest.

- Watched my adorable sister in law Maddie perform as Jane in the musical Mary Poppins.

Let me tell you, that girl was BORN for the stage. 

Watch out world, Madison Carter will be a household name one day, I tell you!

- Relished in Christian's continued growing appreciation... and dare I say LOVE.... for country music.

Mayyyybe we have listened to Kenny Chesney on repeat all week. And maaayyybe I loved every second of watching him sing along. 

Priceless. 

And in the forecast for next week, we're seeing:

- Lots of fireworks on Wednesday. Slight chance of a picnic, more country music, and an outing with family and friends predicted as well.

AMURICA.

- A high chance of seeing my wonderful family from Fri-Sun in their new home of Coral Springs, FL.

Weird weird weird..... but my selfish side also thinks it's so awesome that they will be so close!

- And finally, 100% chance of spending more time with crazy kiddos, wonderful coworkers, a dear familyu-in-law and my cute hubby.

It isn't a perfect life.

It isn't an easy life.

But gosh darn it, it's a good life.

(important and nonsensical) things I learned this week

- lunch boxes like REAAAALLLY gross me out. 

The smell especially. 

Old peanut butter, sticky capri suns, dry carrots....

Hang on a sec while I suppress my gag reflex....

And you know what's worse? Lunch boxes that belong to 5 year olds. Because they are never, EVER all the way clean. Anyways, moving on.... Before I lose it.....

- I LOVE THE EVERGLADES. 

Except for the mosquitoes.

This is what happened when I asked Christian to pose for a picture.

Yeah dudes. They were swarming.

- I really, really, really don't like it when little kids breath on me and climb on me while I'm trying to eat lunch. 

Like "Oh hi child, you definitely had pretzels with your lunch because now your breath smells like feet. Also did you seriously just wipe your Dorito lips on my pants?"

Is a small break during an exhausting 8 hour work day too much to ask??

- I didn't just learn this this week, it's more like a constant thing, but yeah.... 

Marriage is teaching me more about myself than anything else I've EVER experienced. 

Especially about my weaknesses. 

BOY am I painfully aware of my weaknesses.

Anyone else feel like they experience this a bit too often  (for my own liking at least) in marriage?

-  I also learned, or was reminded rather (seems I have to learn this lesson a lot), 

not to judge others. EVER. First, seek to be understanding and get to know them.

I solidified a really fun friendship at work this week because of this principle!

- I also learner that just when you feel like life is slipping into a depressing am uncontrollable landslide, things ALWAYS get better. 

Proverbial example (stress on the word proverbial):

 sometimes a wife will be sobbing in bed after a day of being sick, exhausted, and stressed

 and a husband will find out he landed his dream internship in Washington DC for the fall.

 Also he will give wife hugs and let her soak his shirt with tears. 

Peace and BLESSINGS yall.

- I also learned not to wear jeans outside all day. People question your sanity.
Also, YOU question your own sanity.

 Also also.... maybe I should unpack the rest of my clothes so this isn't a dilemma....

- you know you have a loving and funny family when you come home , FUMING about an unexpected and painful charge on your bank account, and 10 minutes later you are doing this. 

I'm so thankful they (especially Christian) can snap me out of things so effectively!

- I'm like SO excited for my family to get here in a few weeks. 

Like.... SO.

- this is probably mean buuuut.... There are a few blogs in the blogosphere that I just completely loath. Horrible writing, silly topics, grammar mistakes, waaay too many giveaways, etc etc. 

(like I should be talking, write?! Haha I'm so ironic....). 

Anyways, as much as I hate these certain blogs, I can't stop reading them.

 I get a sick joy out of it. 

Maybe it's to make myself feel better about my life? 

I don't know. 

Probably you can judge me for this.

- Finally, I learned that sometimes, writing notes is the BEST way to cheer someone up. 

Christian and I started this little.... "game" if you will.... before we got married where we write love notes back and forth to one another in a little journal, and then we hide it.

This is the one I discovered this morning.

It's the best thing ever.

I want to get better at doing this for other people. Thanks for reminding me of this, sweet husband.

Aaaaaaaand....

The end.

*disclaimer: you might think that because of my numerous complaints concerning children and my job that I hate the aforementioned. This is false. I just have a very sensitive stomach.*

this week

- Finally got Christian to watch Jane by Design with me.... 

the little bugger enjoys the show way more than anticipated. Bonus for me.

- House sat for some wonderful people in the Carter's ward, and enjoyed feeling like adults despite our current living circumstances. 

- Started running again! My body (and energy level, and mental health, and appetite, and happiness...) is thanking me. And WOW have I missed my running playlist!

It's been super fun, even though running with Christian is like acting out the tortoise and the hair every day, except the tortoise doesn't ever win. Boo.

- Had waaaay too many funny conversations at work. The following is an example:

"Miss Brooke, did you know that when I was 4, I used to be a tiger? But then someone ripped out my fur and stole my tail, and gave me hair and made me a little boy!"

And just a note, he had to take me outside of the room to tell me this. 

For fear of his secret being discovered, naturally.

What a six year old won't do for attention!

- Drove down to Coral Springs to spend the weekend with my dad, to celebrate both his birthday and father's day. 

Couldn't leave this handsome guy down there all by himself, now could we?

Also... my family lived in Coral Springs 8 years ago when I was a freshman in high school. 

And now they are moving back there in about 2 weeks, just by happenstance no less.

Our life is just one big ridiculous coincidence. 

And wow did it feel weird to go back to my 14 year old ward.

- Sent my sister-in-law Elise out to BYU for summer semester!

I never thought I would say this... 

But I'm so jealous! Provo in the summer is just dreamy. 

And what I wouldn't do to relive my freshman year.

Just..... WOW.

Anyways, now I'm home sick today. It's time to return to watching Netflix with my handsome hubby who just won't stop taking care of me. It's tough.

life and other things

This is what we did at work on Friday.

Dance parties with 200 children get very smelly. 

Also I've decided that I prefer being surrounded by 6 year olds over delinquent teenagers.

Something about getting butter knives pulled on me is less appealing than running around screaming boom chick a boom all day long. 

Go fig.

Also, we went to the beach this weekend with all Christians sibs. The water was warm, the sun was hot (I have an awesome burn to prove it), and I've decided that living in Florida means we never need to go on vacation again. Also living in Florida means thy there are ginormous birds everywhere.

Below is evidence.

Say hello to the Sandhill Crane, aka your worst night mare when trying to get to your car across the street.

So basically things are going well right now. Thankfully Christian and I have been set up with some house sitting so we aren't burdening the Carter's with our presence too consistently, and we have some privacy as well, which everyone knows newly weds need. 

Also, let's be real. No one needs to spend THAT much time with us. 

We are obnoxious enough on our own as it is......

I am working at a day camp for kids, and Christian is in the process of lining his job up. Other than the fact that my family will be moving here in 3 weeks (of all the ironic situations!)

things are pretty mellow. This isn't the most ideal situation, to be sure, but we are learning that we have a million things to be thankful for, most especially the fact that we are close to family. 

(And by close, I mean we all share the same bathroom. So yeah, pretty darn close)

Happy Tuesday, all!

making aware

This is going to be a scanty update....

But an update none the less!

We made it to Florida, spent some time with my parents in Clearwater beach this weekend 

(and stayed in the most amazing hotel.... like serves you gourmet cheese and fruit kind of amazing. Hellooooo second honeymoon)

Christian braved his first country concert, a la Tim Mcgraw and Kenny Chesney, and despite all the drunken fools, blazing sun and adulterous behavior, we really enjoyed it. I can't say the same for my mom and dad, who decided it would be a good idea to buy tickets 1 row from the stage.... aka the sweatiest but also most amazing part of the stadium. Jealous. But also not. Anyways.

And now we are settled in with Christians family.

The last week (or month. Who am I kidding......) has been extremely taxing, mentally, emotionally and physically. It's a wonder Christian and I never got in a boxing match. Or worse.....seriously....

But we are SUPER glad to be planting some roots and settling down close to family, at least for the next 3 months. 

And living 10 minutes from the beach isn't so bad either. 

Stay tuned for more to come!