Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Love Notes

One of my favorite things that Tom and I do is write little notes to each other. Sometimes we're better about it than others, sometimes it's a very rare thing. But whenever I come home and find a sticky note on the fridge or the cupboard, it just makes me feel so happy, no matter how simple or mushy the message.

During stressful times, these notes are like a weird little anchor for me in the day. Tom's a pretty amazing guy, and he's involved in a lot of things, so he gets spread pretty thin sometimes. It's nice to know that even when I can't help him accomplish the tasks he has to do, I can give him an encouraging word. And when I hardly get to see him during the day, a little reminder of his love for me is the perfect thing that I need.

I think Heavenly Father sends us little love notes too, just in different ways. Like today, it was sunny, I mean real sunny. It wasn't warm, but at least it was sunny. It was just a little "hey, you can make it through the winter and anything else in the plan. I love you". Or like how my piano teacher was ill, so I had a whole hour to practice on my own and catch up on the week's practice log. Or how sometimes time seems to slow down while I speed up so that I can get lots of good things done. Including a nice nap ;)

Look for those little love notes! Sometimes if we're not looking for them, they'll go right past our noses. What love notes have you found today?

In other thoughts, pretty much every other thought in my little brain, is how we're going to Utah this weekend to see my family!! My Mom and all but one of my sisters are coming for a little girl time. Cami, you will be sorely missed! It's going to be so much stinkin' fun just to be together. I feel giddy when I think about it! We don't have anything special planned, just being together! And I can't wait! Sometimes a girl just needs her mom and her sisters...especially when a girl lives far away from every. single. one of them. I can't wait!!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Rexburg is the real windy city

Sometimes I wonder how cities get their nicknames. Ya know, like Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, Detroit is Motor City, Houston is the city of fat people. Okay I made that one up. Maybe that's how it happens.

Now I've never been to Chicago, so maybe it is pretty windy. And I would be willing to bet that big cities get nicknames, but the little guys get left out.

Those thoughts combined lead me to believe that if people knew Rexburg, Idaho existed, Chicago would not be the windy city, by a LONG SHOT. And guess what, one time I asked a girl from Chicago if it's really windy there or if it's windier here, and she said here for sure.

WHAT THE HECK.

Anyways, if you can't tell it's a very windy day. I do not like the wind. At all. It's annoying and frustrating and kicks up all kinds of nasty little things that nobody likes. It gets your hair in your mouth and really just all over the place.

But from inside my little apartment, full of dirty dishes begging to be washed, rinsed, anything, I can hear that nasty wind outside. I can even feel a bit of a draft since our windows didn't get totally closed last night after a cooking mishap. Oh it's howlin out there! But from in here, I feel safe and peaceful.

That's how life has been lately. There's always a million and three things going on, but I feel such peace. I am so content with my life, where it's headed, what we're doing. Sure, there are slip ups and every once in a while the wind just beats down the door and forces its way in. But goodness, it's so cozy in here. I just want to cuddle up with my husband and a book. Probably Dave Ramsey, since that's what I've been devouring lately (thoughts on Total Money Makeover? The Cook's is about to begin, suggestions are welcome!).

I am just so grateful. Grateful for this dinky little apartment. Grateful for so many dirty dishes that remind me of our blessings - good friends to eat with, good food to eat, hard earned money to pay for the food, and an abundance of tender mercies.

Even with the wind, I guess things aren't all that bad.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Happenings

Things have been great here at Chez Cook! Here's what's going on in our life:

Tom landed a position as Lead Wellness Director for the Activities department next semester! It's a full scholarship position, plus is going to be one of the greatest experiences for Tom's career. I am so proud of him! He did such a wonderful job. I love when he interviews for things because he lets me help brainstorm with him and we always have fun coming up with ideas, revising his resume, and practicing responses to interview questions. Yeah, we're that weird couple.

I have watched 4 documentaries on nutrition this week. Thank you, Netflix! I would recommend them to anyone, simply because I feel it's really good to expose yourself to new ideas. They were: Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead; Forks Over Knives; Food, Inc.; and Vegucated. It's gotten me thinking a lot about our diet, as in mine and Tom's. Just interesting things to think about, and more importantly I think "What does Heavenly Father say on the matter?" I have pored over D&C 89 to interpret the message and figure out what I believe is 'right'. (For those who aren't aware, the Doctrine and Covenants is a book of modern revelations from God given to the Latter-Day prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith. Section 89 was given in 1833, and it is God's revealed word on the care of our physical bodies) I still don't know exactly what I think, but I know there are some changes I want to make, and that's a good enough start for now. Also I must insert a shoutout to my sister Stephanie, who although she didn't know my blog existed, has been a strong advocate for holistic eating, and never let anyone's opinions change what she knew was right for her. Thanks for being patient, Steph!

There are so many wonderful changes happening for my family - my Andersen and Cook families alike! It's such a happy time, and I feel overwhelmed with gratitude sometimes when I think of all the blessings that Heavenly Father is pouring over us!

It's getting warmer here in Rexburg, and that's all I'm going to say on the matter because it might change and I'd look like an idiot.

I registered for my last semester as an undergraduate student yesterday! Spring will be an easy and super fun semester - the perfect way to finish off college! I have struggled a lot with school. Not just grades, although I did struggle for a while there. But more than that I just didn't know what to study. I love a lot of different things, and so I'd get hooked and change my major and then burn out. On everything. I would pray for guidance and direction and change my major again. Now I think there are several things that could be happening here, but ultimately this is what I know: college is for learning of all kinds, not just academia, and every single thing that I learned will bless my life if it hasn't already. I don't always believe that, but I have to try to convince myself that it applies to me too. My degree might not sound cool or fascinating and I don't think people know what it means (it's University Studies), and that's okay. Most of the time. I just need to remember. That's my word of the year, by the way. College has been the best time of my life, and I really have learned and changed so much. That's what it's about, right? So I plan to finish off strong and have a whole lot of fun :)

We are THRILLED about the next few weekends that we get to spend in Utah! First for my family coming into town, then Tom's family coming into town, and then a very very quick trip for my race! 10K, here I come!

Anyway. Things are great here, and we are so very happy, albeit busy. That's the best way to be, isn't it?

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Dear 16 Year Old Me, and then some

In my Women's Health class, we watched this video. And I loved it. And I want to spread awareness! So please, if you can spare 5 minutes, watch this wonderful video:


Also, I just wanted to share a really good idea, also from my Women's Health class. Make a health journal! We made a chronic disease family tree, which was very helpful, but I also started a record of diseases/injuries/illnesses Tom and I have had. Obviously, not all of it is going to be passed on to our children. But I think being aware is important. Plus, it's just good to keep a record for your own use! Some people say it's paranoia, but I would so much rather be safe than sorry.

It can be simple - mine is just a word document! It has the date, and the issue, along with what happened. It goes in chronological order. You could make one for each person in your family, or a big family tree, whatever - it's up to you. Let's take control of our health, yeah? Part of that is through being knowledgeable about our own bodies and what's normal for us.

Oh, and share the video, should you feel so inclined :) You can find the direct link to the movie here, it's called Dear 16 Year-Old Me. They even have it in other languages, which is really neat.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Weekends are for the warriors

We had the most lovely of weekends! I feel like it's always kind of a struggle to figure out the best order to do things in on Saturdays when we want to maximize our time and feel the most productive. We always have the same things on our weekend list (with slight variation) - temple, homework, exercise, and do something fun!

Friday night after attending Team Yellow's workout (which was so fun and I love being at work with Tom!), we went to the store and each picked out our own box of cereal. Of course, we did this knowing full well that we would eat each other's. Dark Chocolate Cheerios and Special K Fruit and Yogurt are where it's at. I'm telling you! This coming from the girl who ate 2 bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch on the daily. Then we came home and moved our mattress into the living room! I LOVE IT when we do this. It feels like a fun adventure :)

We ate dinner, and then had a boat load of cereal for dessert/date treat while we watched Secondhand Lions. I fell asleep at some point, and woke up to Tom watching a documentary on Netflix called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. So I woke up to watch it, and then Tom fell asleep. My sister Steph had recommended that one to us a while ago but we never watched it till now! It was interesting, and we've had lots of chats about juicing pros and cons since then. If we find a super cheap juicer, we may even try it!

Saturday was so good! We did homework first, then exercised. Can I just proclaim to the world that I RAN 5 MILES. I've never ran that far in my life. Go ahead and laugh, but I'm proud! It felt oh so good. Then we went to the temple, one of my favorite parts of the week. Then we headed off to Idaho Falls for some a lot of shopping! Thanks to birthday gift cards and wedding money (will it ever end?), we had a free-loader's fantasy of a night. I got some new clothes, something that I haven't done in a long time!, and we got some decor for the house, and a new journal for me. And of course we stopped at Winco. We had this tragic moment where we realized that Bed Bath and Beyond (where all our wedding money left is for) doesn't sell animal crackers OR the chocolate covered Acai berry/blueberry mix. WHAT?! One can only use gift cards for so many things until it becomes wasteful, I suppose. But that didn't deter us, we spent the last bit of our Target gift card for some treats and useful things. All in all, a very successful night.

Sunday was a wonderful day. We were just so happy and giddy...okay I'll stop. Just mushy newly wed stuff ;) We just both really love each other and this life we live!

How was your weekend?