My wedding ring has a very interesting history. I never wanted a gaudy or elaborate ring. I just wanted one simple princess cut stone in a floating setting. Sounds simple enough, right? Well it wasn't.
We actually purchased the diamond separate of the setting. The perfect stone was easy enough to find, but the setting was a bit more difficult. With monstrous jewelers and limited options in a setting, I was doubtful I'd get a ring at the proposal. But Zane was persistent, wanting everything to be perfect so, he bought a makeshift ring (which I also love), proposed, and continued looking.
I was surprised one afternoon at work when Zane gave me a ring box. I was also very stunned to find the perfectly chosen ring. It was only with a lot of hesitation on my part that Zane returned the ring to have the jeweler patch up and fix the poor placement of the diamond. However, the jeweler was very wretched to Zane and after a couple attempts to perfect the ring, we accepted the craftsmanship.
It was almost devastating to have my fingers swell during pregnancy. I loved wearing my ring. So a week after Delli was born I put the ring on and wore it a couple of times. It was still hard to wear because my fingers were not themselves.
One day my ring went missing and I figured it would turn up soon. When it didn't, I was hopeful that when we moved, we would find it hidden behind or underneath a piece of furniture. That hope proved useless. But still I didn't give up hope of finding my ring. So I made sure to carefully unpack each box, and look through the rest of the boxes that would be put into storage. When the ring didn't turn up, I was devastated. I never wanted to think that my ring could be lost forever.
Zane's love was clearly evident in making sure that this ring was perfect. That was what hurt me so much about losing it. I felt that my negligence was a terrible way of thanking him for such a wonderful gift. Zane was very sweet about it, and even suggested I look in certain places.
The other night, Zane took me aside to look at something he had found on the Internet. He pulled up a web page with a ring that was almost identical to mine. I was really saddened because we were actually looking at buying a different ring, when all I wanted was to find the ring Zane worked for.
That night as we were preparing for bed, I was just thumbing through some places I had already checked for my ring (jewelry box, fingernail polish bag, scripture bag, clothes, etc.). As I did so I looked into my closet and caught sight of a jacket I hadn't checked. I thumbed through the pockets only to find lint. I pushed some more clothes away and saw a different jacket I had already looked through. Just for good measure, I decided to look again. The first pocket was empty and I laughed at myself as I reached for the second pocket. I knew that it wasn't going to be in there because I had already checked. So when my fingers snatched up a little round piece I instantly knew. My wedding ring had been hidden in a very obvious spot.
Who knew I would have so much in common with Gollum wanting to find a precious ring?!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Celebrating the 4th on the 5th
We got to celebrate Independence Day with Zane's family. Our plans for the day began with introducing Adella to parades. We met up with a few of Zane's friends and their babies. Delli was quite alert - that could be why she was terrified of the fire engines and other loud vehicles. See was awake for the majority of the festivities, but she gave in to sleep.
 |
| Delli at her first parade! |
 |
| Delli and Dani |
 |
| The crew! |
After chatting with friends, we met up again at Zane's parent's house for a family BBQ! We had a scrumptious meal and good company. Delli was even laughing at her cousins who were being silly!
 |
| Delli and Daddy |
 |
| Delli and Mommy |
Friday, June 25, 2010
Family Pictures
Mavanie Stanley, Olivia's bff, took our family photos this year. We had a fun time and have quite a few pictures that turned out. These are some of our favorites! Enjoy!
 |
| Giving Adella a smooshed smooch! |
 |
| Adella is a happy baby! |
 |
| Adella was watching Mavanie closely. |
 |
| Zane loves his baby! |
 |
| Olivia loves her baby! |
 |
| These are Adella's modeling lips! |
 |
| Even bricks have hearts. |
 |
| Zane still attempts this move even though he has already had the "spit-up" accident. |
 |
| We love this picture! |
Zane & Olivia
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Moving Forward
This past week has been packed with boxes and unpacking. I have finally gotten the house to feel like it is livable, even though there are numerous flattened boxes, piles of random things, and un-hung pictures. Unpacking has been more difficult with a baby (first time to move with the baby). I am so distracted with her and get most of my work finished after I get her down to bed. I can't help picking her up when she is smiley and playing with her when she is active. It's also hard to do too much when I have to feed her every three hours still. But, that's what makes being a mom a mom. So, since we have quite a bit done I spent the evening last night playing with my sweet Delli. I like to make funny noises that catch her attention and one in particular has always caught her fancy. Check this video out!
Olivia
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Motherhood
It had always been my desire to be a mom one day, but I seriously did not consider the amount of time I would have to give to this job. Adella needs CONSTANT attention... and if she doesn't get it - I know all about what a terrible mother I am by Adella herself.
Seriously, though, I have never been happier. I'm woken every morning to the grunts and groans of her waking up and stretching. I then lean over her crib just to get a wide-mouthed smile. She is so patient with me - probably more so than I am with her. Her achievements are huge, and I have to call whoever I can just to tell them about what she has done. She learns so quickly and seems to be growing faster than is possible. Within two months, my baby was holding her head up quite well, chattering a bit, smiling at everyone and everything, and beginning to role over. Her binky skills are atrocious because she can't keep the thing in, but she can suck on any other surface be it a hand, an arm, or a stinky burp rag.
No matter how frustrating this job can get, Adella is always doing something adorable to bring a smile to my face. Whether it's a cute sleepy sigh, screaming at the t.v, or looking beside me where she is sleeping to find her craning her neck to see me,
I feel loved. She has been quite content with everything and rarely complains. I have been so blessed to have her for my first baby and wish it could always be like this. However, I am so stoked to see Adella grow into herself.
I have learned so much in these past months: patience, love, responsibility for another, the importance of example, to play again, to sleep at weird times, etc. However, the number one thing I have discovered is that I LOVE being a mother and would give up almost everything for myself to be one!
Olivia
Seriously, though, I have never been happier. I'm woken every morning to the grunts and groans of her waking up and stretching. I then lean over her crib just to get a wide-mouthed smile. She is so patient with me - probably more so than I am with her. Her achievements are huge, and I have to call whoever I can just to tell them about what she has done. She learns so quickly and seems to be growing faster than is possible. Within two months, my baby was holding her head up quite well, chattering a bit, smiling at everyone and everything, and beginning to role over. Her binky skills are atrocious because she can't keep the thing in, but she can suck on any other surface be it a hand, an arm, or a stinky burp rag.
No matter how frustrating this job can get, Adella is always doing something adorable to bring a smile to my face. Whether it's a cute sleepy sigh, screaming at the t.v, or looking beside me where she is sleeping to find her craning her neck to see me,
I feel loved. She has been quite content with everything and rarely complains. I have been so blessed to have her for my first baby and wish it could always be like this. However, I am so stoked to see Adella grow into herself.I have learned so much in these past months: patience, love, responsibility for another, the importance of example, to play again, to sleep at weird times, etc. However, the number one thing I have discovered is that I LOVE being a mother and would give up almost everything for myself to be one!
Olivia
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Ears
For my eighth birthday my parents gave me a sheet of paper that said it was worth one free ear piercing. I had always wanted to get my ears pierced, but that sheet of paper represented freedom of choice for me. It took me thirteen years of countless clip-on-earrings and contemplation to make the decision. On May 10, 2010 I finally chose to have my ears pierced. Having been told all my life that it doesn't really hurt was a cruel thing, because it hurt a ton more than I was expecting! I could actually feel the earring going through and it was NOTHING like getting a shot. But even though it was just a bit painful, I am really glad I have finally done it! I have always loved earrings - now I can wear them!
Olivia
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Among the Graduates
There is nothing better than feeling accomplished, and SUU's commencement ceremonies this weekend did just that for me. As I sat among the 1,817 graduates I couldn't help but reflect on the past four years of my life and can feel accomplished in many respects.
I began college with a pretty simple class schedule (all except for the Introduction to Critical Theory class) which left me plenty of time to discover the ways of a college lifestyle. I had roommates that quickly became some of my best friends, and some that I have seen very rarely since. Alex, Cara, Caroline, and Kim are forever in my heart as the craziest, loudest, most creative, truest, and most addicted to Pride & Prejudice - no matter what form or genre - roommates. We spent our time learning to deal with a messy, old house, capable of hiding spilt cereal for months by its brown decorative kitchen carpet and discovered not only that the house's amazing chandelier housed the friendliest of ghosts, but held secrets captive in the basement living room seats.
I returned from my parent's home for my Sophomore year. It was here I lived with the most girls in one house. With a total of 10 women and two bathrooms, there couldn't have been a more harmonious situation. In addition to living with Cara and Kim again I made new roommate friends with Natalie and Mikayla. We were an outgoing group and played volleyball constantly and enjoyed late night talks about life. The comfortable couches and mostly freezing living room was always an inviting arena to host game nights and watch American Idol's David Archuleta and David Cook. It was also at this home that I first started "crushing" on a young man named Zane. School was important, as always, and I constantly found I was being spread too thin, but I wouldn't have changed a moment of it.
Because of my increasing feelings for Zane, I did everything that I could to stay in Cedar that summer. I was then hired on at a mortuary where I learned quite a lot of interesting things (period to that statement).
The next school year was the most memorable and included more great friendships - in another new house. Heather was my roommate and partner in creative things! I also had the opportunity of really getting to know Adrianne and Audrey. Although school was important still, Zane finally stole the top importance and proposed to me on December 8th at the local library. The spring semester was bright, but the busiest I have ever been and will ever allow (right - like I can control the busy factor now). In addition to writing three news articles a week for the school paper and taking four other homework infested classes, I married Zane right smack-dab in the middle of the semester, during spring break.
My final semester at SUU was filled with many emotional tears (just ask Zane), because my emotional balance was no longer a part of my life. Pregnant and stressed about passing the last four classes of my bachelors degree did not mix well (especially Advanced Critical Theory as a final class choice - what was I thinking? I didn't even like the introduction). However, I passed and left a gateway to graduation day.
Two months later I gave birth to our first baby, Adella. Time since then has flown by and Adella, Zane, and I are looking forward with great anticipation and excitement, because if life is anything like the last four years, it couldn't be any better!
As I sat among the sea of black-robed and multicolored tassel wearing graduates, I realized four years of education was worth it! Not only do I feel accomplished with a degree, but I feel some small accomplishment with my life. I have so many friends and memories that are forever important to me.
Thanks to everyone who helped me through difficult times, and played along through the fun! A very special thanks to my parents who pushed me harder than anyone else would dare - it was truly rewarding; and thanks to my sweet husband who will eternally put up with my emotions - I love you; thanks to Delli for being my best friend too.
I began college with a pretty simple class schedule (all except for the Introduction to Critical Theory class) which left me plenty of time to discover the ways of a college lifestyle. I had roommates that quickly became some of my best friends, and some that I have seen very rarely since. Alex, Cara, Caroline, and Kim are forever in my heart as the craziest, loudest, most creative, truest, and most addicted to Pride & Prejudice - no matter what form or genre - roommates. We spent our time learning to deal with a messy, old house, capable of hiding spilt cereal for months by its brown decorative kitchen carpet and discovered not only that the house's amazing chandelier housed the friendliest of ghosts, but held secrets captive in the basement living room seats.
I returned from my parent's home for my Sophomore year. It was here I lived with the most girls in one house. With a total of 10 women and two bathrooms, there couldn't have been a more harmonious situation. In addition to living with Cara and Kim again I made new roommate friends with Natalie and Mikayla. We were an outgoing group and played volleyball constantly and enjoyed late night talks about life. The comfortable couches and mostly freezing living room was always an inviting arena to host game nights and watch American Idol's David Archuleta and David Cook. It was also at this home that I first started "crushing" on a young man named Zane. School was important, as always, and I constantly found I was being spread too thin, but I wouldn't have changed a moment of it.
Because of my increasing feelings for Zane, I did everything that I could to stay in Cedar that summer. I was then hired on at a mortuary where I learned quite a lot of interesting things (period to that statement).
The next school year was the most memorable and included more great friendships - in another new house. Heather was my roommate and partner in creative things! I also had the opportunity of really getting to know Adrianne and Audrey. Although school was important still, Zane finally stole the top importance and proposed to me on December 8th at the local library. The spring semester was bright, but the busiest I have ever been and will ever allow (right - like I can control the busy factor now). In addition to writing three news articles a week for the school paper and taking four other homework infested classes, I married Zane right smack-dab in the middle of the semester, during spring break.
My final semester at SUU was filled with many emotional tears (just ask Zane), because my emotional balance was no longer a part of my life. Pregnant and stressed about passing the last four classes of my bachelors degree did not mix well (especially Advanced Critical Theory as a final class choice - what was I thinking? I didn't even like the introduction). However, I passed and left a gateway to graduation day.
Two months later I gave birth to our first baby, Adella. Time since then has flown by and Adella, Zane, and I are looking forward with great anticipation and excitement, because if life is anything like the last four years, it couldn't be any better!
As I sat among the sea of black-robed and multicolored tassel wearing graduates, I realized four years of education was worth it! Not only do I feel accomplished with a degree, but I feel some small accomplishment with my life. I have so many friends and memories that are forever important to me.
Thanks to everyone who helped me through difficult times, and played along through the fun! A very special thanks to my parents who pushed me harder than anyone else would dare - it was truly rewarding; and thanks to my sweet husband who will eternally put up with my emotions - I love you; thanks to Delli for being my best friend too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)