Pillow Talk

Evan and I had a major pillow talk session last night (love him)! For hours, we discussed a variety of random things that have been on our minds. We laughed... I cried... and, eventually, we fell asleep.

Not to get all serious on you or anything, but I thought I might blog about one of the things we discussed: 


Friendship.


You know those people who just emit energy and awesomeness? It's like they have some kind of giant magnetic force-field around them that sucks people in? They are always happy and bubbly, and oh, so nice? Everybody wants to be their best friend? 


Well... I am not one of those people.


Here I sit, almost 22 years old, and the only CLOSE friends I have are the ones I am related to and the one I am married to! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying "woe is me, the friendless loser." I mean, according to Facebook, I have plenty of friends! ;) I am grateful for those people, but I wish that I had more of those really deep, meaningful relationships, the ones that last even when it's no longer convenient. Unfortunately, I feel like I am the socially-awkward type, and I can't seem to establish (and sustain) REAL friendships. Ev and I tossed some ideas back and forth to try and figure out why that is. Eventually, we came to this conclusion:

I am a perfectionist. I would have the world believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with me (ha...ha)! For that reason, I tend to be cautious when I interact with others. It's difficult to loosen up, let go of my fear, and be myself. I'm afraid that if I show my weird, quirky, dorky side that people will judge me and won't want to be my friend anymore. Silly, right? I know deep down that exactly the OPPOSITE is true! Great friendships are forged when you get to know and see someone as they really are (flaws, quirks and all) and still love them. Of course, not everyone is going to like me, and not everyone is going to be a "kindred spirit" and forever friend, but how would ever I find out if they were unless I put myself out there a little? 


So, to those of you who I have closed myself off to, I'm sorry. Chances are I've observed your awesomeness and thought to myself: "I wish I could get to know her better...maybe we would be really good friends..." I'm sorry that I kept to myself, and denied us both the opportunity to start what could have been an amazing friendship. I hope that someday I'll get another chance.


FYI: Tara is responsible for the picture above. She is amazing, and a link to her blog can be found right over there -->

Lucky Me

Apparently, someone like this guy...

...lives in the apartment above us.

I wake up, almost daily now, to the sound of his voice, seeping through our bedroom ceiling. It begins with a little off-key blaring, followed by his daily screamo exercises. And when he's done with this solo rehearsal, he cranks up some death metal on his over-sized speakers, for all to enjoy.

Ahhh, the joys of apartment living.

A Little Piece of Heaven

This weekend, Jon and Ashlee introduced us to Mt. Charleston...

...a little piece of heaven, right next to a big chunk of "Hades" (aka Vegas).

The 30 degree temperature drop and the smell of pines and campfire dinners was well worth the 45 minute drive. I am already planning our next trip to this new found haven of ours. Can't wait!

Something Good

Evan took me out to see this lovely little park he discovered.

Hmm...maybe it isn't impossible to find something good in Vegas, after all.

Mr. Chapman

Evan and I are reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I've known about the book for quite some time but have never actually read it, so I borrowed a copy from my Mom when I went home to visit.
The second chapter is titled "Keeping the Love Tank Full." And in it, Mr. Chapman explains:

"At the heart of mankind's existence is the desire to be intimate and to be loved by another. Marriage is designed to meet that need for intimacy and love." 

He then introduces the "love tank" idea, explaining that marriages that are full of withdrawal, misbehavior, harsh words and a critical spirit may simply be the result of an empty love tank, waiting to be filled. He said:

"I'm convinced that keeping the emotional love tank full is as important to a marriage as maintaining the proper oil level is to an automobile"

The rest of the book (though we haven't read it yet) supposedly centers around this idea, explaining that there are five basic love languages, and when we speak the language of our spouse, we will be able to fill their emotional love tank and improve the quality of our marriage.


Ev and I have only been married for a year (+2 months!) but I think it's safe to say we're past twitterpation. We're not strangers to some of the "hard stuff" in marriage and the whole love tank idea struck a chord with us. You might as well know now that we are suckers for this kind of thing. We have always been quite open with each other. We are not "too cool" to share our feelings. We are both sensitive and emotional, and though it may be both a blessing and a curse, I love it! And frankly, I think that is a huge part of the reason I fell in love with Evan. He is one in a million.


SO. We decided to make our own little love tanks to hang on the frig! :)

Cute, right? Or maybe just corny. Oh well, I love it. And I think Mr. Chapman would be proud ;)

Rainy 4th

It rained in Vegas! It was the first rain we've seen since we moved here in April. And of course, it just happened to be on the fourth of July.

Before the rain, we all went to the Summerlin Parade. 

During the rain, we went to Cafe Rio for lunch, played games, watched a movie, and took a couple of naps. 

After the rain, we went on base to see the fireworks, and Jon showed us the F16!

Unfortunately I only brought a camera along for the after-rain-festivities. 

It really wasn't bad, overall. I mean, it definitely seemed bizarre to spend the majority of the fourth indoors, but how can you complain about rain in a place like Vegas?

Home = Heavan

I can't believe how quickly my time in Utah flew by. Ten days felt like two, and I found myself on an airplane, glaring down at Vegas, willing the plane to turn around and take me back home again. But when Evan picked me up at the airport, I had to admit that being with him feels more like home than anything else. And I was content.

As a side note, the flight from SLC to Vegas was saaaweet! We were only in the air for 45 minutes, I got pretzels and a drink, AND my whole row was empty, so I moved from my assigned aisle seat to the window seat to enjoy the view :) Not bad. Not bad at all.