Family Fun Weekend

After returning from San Diego we had a pretty low key weekend. I'll be honest, it mainly consisted of Peter doing the taxes, cleaning the house and doing the laundry while I took multiple naps.

On Saturday evening though we headed out for a showing of the Briar Woods High School production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Peter's little sister Katie was Violet in the play. It was actually really funny and entertaining. Of course Katie is hilarious and really stole the spotlight in her scenes.

On Sunday we celebrated Peter's Dad's Birthday. We had a great meal, watched some basketball (well, I actually took another nap), and then had yummy cake. I captured some of the family mid- song in this picture and I love it!

Peter's Dad is a very smart, very generous man. We have learned a great deal from him and are grateful we live close enough to continue to learn from him and have fun together with the entire family.

San Diego

This last week Peter and I went to San Diego for his Spring Break. It was a great get away from everyday life. The weather was so pleasant and warm. We sat around a lot, visited with lots of family, played games, went to the beach, and ate at all of my favorite places. Of course, we hit some of them (In-N-Out) more than once. Every time I'm in San Diego I just am so happy and feel so at home, even though it has been so long since I've lived there. It was great to be able to show Peter where we use to live, my High School and talk about the good ol' days. Peter's grandparents along with mine and some cousins live out there and so it was so great to spend quality time with them. I even got to go to a baby shower of a friend of mine from high school, which was so fun. It was great to see how surprised everyone was when I walked in.

One of the things I love most about San Diego is just sitting outside enjoying the sunset or the perfect weather and reading a book. It was a great trip and definitely hard to come back to work and school.

1 year ago

this last weekend, Peter asked me to marry him. Life has only gotten oh so much better since.

Virginia is for Lovers

Check out the view from our kitchen and porch windows! Gorgeous blossoms are blooming this time of year.

I'm missing this boy today

I'm in Colorado for work and he's at home studying his little bottom off for his three tests this week. In 2 days I will meet him here for some R&R.

Happy Pi Day to you

On Saturday, 3.14.09 our friends through a Pi Day party. That's right, 3.14 is Pi, get it? Now before you starting making comments about what big nerds we must be, STOP, because we're not nerds, we're cool. We just take advantage of opportunities to celebrate! It was a really fun night though, we ate pizza pie and everyone brought a pie to share for dessert. They were so good. Don't worry, we took votes of best pie, best presentation, etc. and the pie Peter and I made, won for best all around pie. There aren't many pies better in the world than Grasshopper pie (Oreo crust, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and hot fudge on top).

We played with hula hopes and other circle related games all night. It turned out be a really fun night. It's always nice to get away from the normal day activities and have some fun with friends.

It has finally happened

Yesterday at church someone called me by my maiden name and I totally hesitated. It took me a second to register that she was talking about. For the last nine months I have struggled to feel comfortable with my new last name. I awkwardly introduce myself as Jen Gre-Bell, when some sales person asks for my last name I start to say Green and have to then correct myself and say Bell, with everyone giving me a "you're crazy" kind of look. And when I sign my name, it turns out to a B over a G and really isn't that legible. But yesterday, yesterday was a new day. I think I've finally got this new name thing down. I think I'm finally use to be called Jen Bell. Whew-hew for me!

The Alchemist

This last month for our book club we read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book was all about achieving your "personal legend". Your personal legend is your mission in life, what you were sent here to do, your ultimate goal. I enjoyed reading about the adventures and trials the main character experienced as he tried to achieve his personal legend. The book talked a lot about listening to your surrounding, taking heed to omens (or answers to prayers) around you, but enjoying the process. There was a lot of text written about how we must listen to our hearts in order to achieve our ultimate goals. It said something to the effect that we must listen to our hearts because it always knows and always wins in the end.

This book definitely cause a lot of inner reflection. What is my personal legend and what am I doing to achieve it? Am I recognizing the omens around me? Am I truly listening to my heart? Am I brave enough to sacrifice for and achieve my personal legend?

I recommend the book if you haven't read it.

Becky

A little while ago was my friend Becky's birthday (on the right) and I failed to give a shout out to her on that day, but I wanted to today. Becky and I met orientation week our freshman year of college at Utah State. I thought her and her friends were cool so I kind of tagged along. Luckily it didn't take too long for them to think I was cool too and we soon became friends. 9 1/2 years later almost and we're still good friends. Although our lives have been different and we don't see each other often, she is still one of the nearest and dearest to me. Why you ask, well......

- She is spontaneous and always up for something fun or new to do, no matter the hour.

- She's a fellow lover of treats and snacks. She's become quite the baker lately and I can't wait to try some of her new creations.

- She is a loyal friend and tries hard to stay in touch and take care of all of us.

- She's always willing to listen. Whenever I need someone to talk to that isn't directly involved in my situation, it's easy to go to Becky because she's understanding and objective.

- She's very thoughtful to others and finds ways to make sure people know it.

- She's creative and always tries to use and expand her talents.

- She is an attentive and hard working mother. She runs circles around me and always seems to have the energy to do more.

- She has faith in people and believes they are greater than they may act at the time. She has a great hope in others that seems to lift those around her.

- She makes me feel important.

-She's willing to help others at any time with whatever they need. And she makes it seem like it's no big deal.

- She has faith that through God things will all work out. She has been a huge example of this to me as I've seen her put her trust in the Lord, and in her husband, and in herself.

There is so much more that I could say and I have an experience or a story about all of these thigns I've talked about. I have had so much fun with her over the years. I'm grateful that our paths have crossed and that she has enriched my life so much. Anything to add Valley View girls?

Not much to post about

I guess I'm boring or not very creative because I can't really think of a lot to blog about, I guess I'll just talk about what has been going on.

- Peter had a test last week and so he studied like crazy. This usually means he doesn't come home until around 9pm from school. Then when he comes home he eats and then goes back to studying. Fun for me! I sometimes get carried away and try to talk to him and tell him about my day and then remember that I need to let him study.

- Friday after his test we went to dinner and then both fell asleep around 10pm, we're party animals.

- Saturday we slept in and then I applied for jobs while Peter cleaned the house. I really want to find a new job that is more fulfilling and challenging for me and I've been frustrated that I just don't have the time at the end of the day to apply for jobs. So Peter insisted that I apply for jobs and he took over the Saturday cleaning chores for me. Loved it!

- Later that day Peter and I went out to our favorite all-you-can-eat Sushi place before I headed off to a friends baby shower and to babysit for someone else after.

- Sunday was a great day, after church we went to dinner at some friends house and then headed up to the Temple Visitors Center for a concert. Peter's friend, Tiana from high school played in the Mormon Orchestra performance. It really was a great performance and a relaxing night.

- We woke up Monday morning to lots of snow outside. I think this is the most snow I've seen while out here in D.C. Lots of schools and businesses were closed because there was so much snow on the roads. My work was delayed and Peter's school was canceled so we got to sleep in a little before I headed into work. That was a nice bonus to my day.

- And the Bachelor, yes I watch and yes I enjoy watching it. I know it's silly show and so exaggerated and so not real life, but those are the things I like about it. It's carefree to watch and you get a few good laughs out of some of the girls and the awkward moments. I loved on the finale last night that both girls stood up for themselves when he broke things off with them.

- Peter and I are headed out to San Diego for his Spring Break this month and I am so excited. We're staying almost a week and I can't wait. It's been a long time since I've been able to visit San Diego and just relax.

Boring post, sorry. Sometime I'll be glad though that I blogged about everyday things going on.