Life

So I had the goal of finishing a book before the summer was over. Last week I bought the book Escape, by Carolyn Jessop and I just couldn't put it down. I finished it in like 5 days. I was that hooked. I had to force myself to not bring it with me while I worked or I wouldn't have knocked on one door all week. I have always had a thing for books that are intense and empowering... maybe because of some of the experiences I have had in my life, and some of the amazing women I look up to that have dealt with and overcome some incredible obstacles.. I dunno. But that kind of stuff absolutely fascinates me (Steve sometimes makes fun of me for it ha. But it's whatever). 

Any who, I've been thinking a lot lately about this life that I have been given. About how I am living my life right now, and the luxuries that I have that so many people in the world are so unaware of. I probably sound like a crazy person right now, ha the fact that one single book brought all of these emotions to surface for me (that and Steve and I had an awesome talk about obedience last night - I love talking about smart, in-depth things with my husband. I feel like we grow closer with every word that comes out of our mouths and I love it), but it's true. I have been reflecting on how blessed I am to live the way I do. I think about some of the hard things that I have had to go through in my life, or that Steve and I may have ahead of us, and it truly makes me grateful. It makes me grateful to think that there is a God that cares about us enough to help us learn how to become stronger. To give us chances to improve ourselves, and is there every millisecond that we may need help. Then I think about the people in our world like carolyn jessop. The life that she, and so many women had to (and still have to) live. That "Why?" question always comes up when I think about stuff like that, and even though I already feel like I know the answer (maybe the answer is just sufficient for me) I always get curious and have to have long thoughts with myself about it. Then I come back to the same few sentences every time. Our spirits our strong enough to endure anything that is put in our way, as long as we are obedient and willing to work with our Father in Heaven. I remember that those women who live any FLDS community, and those children that have to face all that they do in Syria, or the babies who sleep in huts at night, all have spirits strong enough to withstand their circumstances. (but that doesn't stop the other part of me that wants to walk into Colorado City and shake every single women silly and go and buy them mini skirts and take tops and take a bat to every man's head - was that too harsh?)

Bottom line, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that I have to worry about whether or not I am going to get yelled at by a complete stranger when I knock on their doors a couple times a day. I am grateful that I open the fridge and have an endless amount of items I could scarf in seconds. I am grateful that I have a man who respects me, and see's my worth, and loves me for it. I'm just plain grateful.

{oh, and last night steve and I drove home from a little sight seeing and that picture above is what we ran into. I mean, really? Heaven is for real people. Like seriously for real. I love this life.}

And now Steve and I are going to go and write down 100 things that we are thankful for. Heaven knows we have been blessed with much more than 100 things, and for that, I wouldn't give up what I know and the Gospel I live for anything.

Let's all be blessed together.

>Ry

HMB

Half Moon Bay, Ca. 

Our spontaneous summer continues. This past weekend we drove to the quaint little city of half moon bay. We walked two miles {starved} to the beach and we were so hungry/delirious/excited to be in a new place that everything was funny and we had to take breaks on the sidewalk because our legs hurt from walking. You'd think we would be used to that by now considering the fact that that is all we do all day long, but I guess not. HMB (Half Moon Bay) really is such a beautiful place. It wasn't quite what we expected - we were thinking it would be more of a beach city like santa cruz, or huntington, and boy were we wrong haha. There were some shops on main street, (that my grandma would probably adore) and quite frankly all we wanted to do was eat so we didn't even do much exploring. We settled on a hole-in-the-wall indian place that was seriously so amazing. It was one of those, "I'm so hungry I can't even think and probably can't walk a step further and this place is just around the block and we want to sit down to eat (obviously) and we don't even know if we like indian food, sooo let's go"

That's the conversation we both had in our heads - didn't really make sense, but it worked. and this indian place was so good we didn't even know what to think. It made me love indian food forever. This place was actually in a house and I was a little sketched but it all worked out. 

One of my favorite parts of this weeks adventure was the drive. OHHH the drive. We drove through fields of Christmas tree farms and the smell? oh it was heavenly. heavenly heavenly heavenly. 

I love my life. and my guy. and our relationship. and how he can make me laugh even when i'm super mad at him. random love chant over. 

>> Ry

Beachy Dressin

While my sweet familia was here we went down to our relatives (family inherited - sort of, it's a long story) beach house in Capitola, Ca (there will be more about our glorious trip there here soon). It is seriously one of my most favorite places on this entire planet. It is so beautiful, and quaint, and I think I love it so much because it adds a little Southern California "feel" here up north. We spent the day roaming this beautiful beach town and It was the perfect day to wear my newest (and most favorite) article of clothing (at least for right now)! I love how simple the embroidery is on this dress, but how the color and design still make a statement. Since we were spending most of the day walking around on the beach and searching through little shops on main street I decided to use it more as a cover up. 

I'm all about comfort when it comes to dressing. whether I'm in my sweats or going out with Mr. Warner for the night. This dress gives me an endless amount of options. And not to mention it's from World Market - which is definitely beating out anthropologie for my most favorite store on the planet (even though it's all pretty much just eye candy for me. I get anxiety even thinking about forking over that much money). Find it here.

(And those shoes?? Do you love them as much as I do? I was dying when I found them. Add the most perfect pop of color to any outfit. find them here)

stay tuned for more summer dress essentials here on the blog soon! 

Artsy

Hello again! Mr. Warner and I decided to be free spirited and take a little unplanned trip back home to Utah. It was seriously so great. And so needed. We saw all of our family that we love so much, and spent most of our time (like seriously 4 full days) walking through dreamy model homes that are way out of our budget, but then also finding the most perfect little layouts for our future (we are talking like near, near future) humble abode. It made me SO excited. I don't even think you understand how excited it got me. Realizing that our goal of buying a house is actually here.. and becoming more of a reality than ever. It made me so excited to be able to have a place to make our own. Having that trip, realizing what we need to do to buy that house at the end of this summer is just making me want to work as hard as I possibly can to be a part of our dream. It's so exciting you guys!! AHHH! 

One of the other main reasons we went back was to go to Steve's best friends wedding. We both went to high school with the sweet couple and it was so much fun catching up with all of our friends and being a part of that special time in Brayden and Carly's lives. I soaked in as much cuddle time with our new niece Izzy as I could, and planned on taking way more pictures than I did. (oh, well). I did manage to pull out the camera when we went to the Arts Festival in Salt Lake and tried to document our time there. We watched my sweet sister dance, and had some yummy, yummy food. It was great. Steve hasn't been home for more than a few days during summer time in utah in like 5 years.. we forgot the amazing summer vibe that utah gives off. We sure did miss that place. 

But now we are ready to kick our on a**'s and finish the summer strong! I'll make dinner for you all in our new kitchen (insert excited emoji here) Here is our trip in pictures: 

Utah summers. and I love that guy sitting right there ^^^. 

>Ry

San Fran. Again.

So this past weekend as I was flying home from Utah, my sweet, new friend from out here in california just happened to be on my same flight! And we just happened to be by each other in security - Which was incredibly busy and we almost thought we were going to miss our flight might I add.... She let me pre-board with her because she had her adorable little babe. It rocked. I felt like a celebrity walking past all of those people in line. maybe i'll have a baby just to be able to pre-board. Just kidding.

They still live in Fresno, but were flying to oakland to explore san fran for the day! Long story short, so were Steve and I. So we meshed our plans and it was awesome. I was so happy to have her and her sweet baby Ry (can we talk about how we have the same nick name?) on the plane with me. We were able to chat, get to know each other better, all that good stuff. It was a blessing. Meant to be. We had so much fun spending the day with Landon, Shelby, and Ry. If only we could all live closer! 

(Just so you all know. Shelby is incredibly talented at everything. I'm convinced. Go check out her blog here, and swoon over her life, cute style, and the pictures she takes. Pure talent I tell you. I'm hoping she will teach me some of her ways.) 

Our day trip consisted of in-n-out (does it surprise you?), and a little stroll along our most favorite pier. Then we went and visited the painted ladies (full-house lovers for life), and mrs. Doubtfire's house! On our way to try and see the Golden Gate Bridge, the fog took over and we were just in clouds the whole time. It was a bummer. It was a cool idea though! haha We also found this sweet little oasis town that had the most photogenic mountains and sailboats.. ahh it was just beautiful. I love where we live. 

Hello World!

We are alive! If any of you were wondering. We are most definitely alive and well. We are now in the blessed land of California that we love so much for the second summer in a row. I have such a love-hate relationship with these four, warm months out of the year. But surprisingly it is starting to turn into more of the "I'm loving this even though I have to knock on people's doors and get screamed and yelled at for no reason" kinda love. Really. As crazy and weird as it sounds. I love the summers that we have.

Our lives are so simple when we are away for these four months. Its funny because you would think that things would be more stressful, intense, whatever you want to call it (since we have one of the most uncommon jobs in the universe) and even though it is that way sometimes, it's the best. I don't really know how to explain it, and I'm probably making no sense. But the summers that we spend working crazy hours, being exhausted and starved by the end of the day, getting yelled at by complete strangers are so great. They are so great because we get to experience new things that we never would have, we get to go on all different kinds of adventures together, just Steve and I, that we never would have if we didn't sacrifice the things that we do with this job. We grow in ways that are not possible without doing what we do, and it's just great. I love it.

Sappy, cutesy part over. Want to know what we have really been up to lately? For those that really care, it is only three weeks into the summer and we have already had a roller coaster of fun and craziness. The "stories from the doors" are already piling up, and we have finally settled down for the next little while. (I know what you are thinking, "it took you 3 weeks to settles down?")

So we live in Antioch/Brentwood, Ca with about 10 other people from our office. The rest of our buddies are down south a little bit living in Fresno. (aka all of the wives/married friends that we have out here during the summer). We first lived in Fresno, and then a week later decided to move up north for area/knocking/didn't want to drive 4 hours + to work every day. It makes logical sense, but I had an emotional crazy moment because I had just met some of the most amazing ladies that I was going to get to spend the summer with, and was already seeing the light at the end of the long summer tunnel. So it was a rough move. But a needed and beneficial one to say the least. I created some of the most sweet, marvelous relationships that I will carry on forever. Those relationships that even if you don't see each other for months at a time, it doesn't matter cause then you just pick up and are chatter boxes the second you see each other again. Awesome friends like that. It's just all good.

Okay, now the sappy part is really over. I'll stop blabbering my feelings over here.

The best part about the move? We are only ONE hour away from San Francisco! Steve and I took a drive last weekend and explored on a small part of the city - aka the pier. It was beautiful, and I loved it. The drive itself isn't bad either which is a bonus. Maybe we are just used to the california driving so it doesn't phase us anymore. After a long week it was such a great break to just be with the two of us, exploring like we love to do. Our time together is the best.

I will stop writing now so that my novel doesn't bore you, but the pictures below give a pretty good explanation of how beautiful this place is that we live.

Much love peeps, 

>> ry

thoughts and blabber and fun stuff

This post is gonna be all over the place. Just a heads up.

 So 2 weekends ago, life was so great. I'll talk about that first. Steve's parents came in to town on Friday evening. I spent that day having a little selfie time. gym, grocery shopping, a little home "stuff" shopping, etc. I needed it for me. (aka I didn't knock on doors).

We (padres, cait, lou, and kiddies) when to the glorious chick-fil-a for some dinner, and then waited for our working men to get home. The night was spent just hangin with the family. Saturday I went out and worked. Got a sale and then kept working. Steve was awesome and got two, and then we met up for some dinner at in-n-out. (duh). That night we just hung. again. Watched a movie, walked the streets of Victoria Gardens. Just loved our worry free night together. Sunday came with church in the morning, and then a lovely beach day to follow. Night was just spent hangin.. again. Gosh I love the summer.

I think that is one of the things that I am going to miss most about the summer… just hangin. Whether it be with our family, or our best friends that we have created such amazing relationships with. It is coming to an end pretty fast as I have explained a bajillion times before, and I'm not really okay with it. I am going to miss being able to go to the hot tub whenever we want, do a little grillin' at the pool, be able to have the exact same schedule as everyone we know, being able to have late night talks and late morning sleep ins with Mr. Warner. But then I try to stay positive. We really have such awesome jobs. We work our complete hardest for as long as is physically possible, and then we get to enjoy ourselves. I love it. I am going to miss the summer time, being able to do what we want when we want. And have control over our own success. It really is the best feeling ever.

BUT then I remember that when things end, it just means great things are going to begin. Like we are just closer to next summer, closer to being able to be in our own home, closer to being able to have little kiddies (you have no idea how bad I want a baby - it's sick), closer to school being done.. all that good stuff.

So now that I will be on a plane home in less than one week, that my summer working days are pretty much over (we will see if I muster some sort of motivation to go out today - I mean we are in Santa Barbara... so there's most likely not a fat chance - More on that later), I am really reflecting on how amazing these past four months have been. How I have grown personally, how Steve has grown personally, how we have grown together. How I know that I am not physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, in any way capable  of getting through everyday, every joyous time, or hardship without the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Or being able to pray at any waking moment of my time. It is an amazing thing, this church I belong to.

I am excited to see my family. I am excited start school, to have so much time on my hands. I am excited to spend time with my nieces and nephews. I am excited for life. For this new chapter in life that we are coming up to.

And I am proud to say that I can 100% close this last chapter and feel successful, and accomplished in every way of life.

Coming up? (sooner or later) our little time with our best people the Hodson's. AND 1 year Anniversary coming up in a few days!! (still have no idea what we are doing).

For now, Enjoy a few looks of our lovely lives as of late. 

 Gosh my husband is so good looking. Our lives are awesome. 

>> Ry

 
 

Disney me silly

 When Ken was out here, I was convinced that I had to take a day off and spend some sister/auntie/sister-in-law time with my loved ones at the happiest place on earth. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE disneyland... like literally adore. My husband on the other hand... not too fond. (He says the big rides make him sick, and he doesn't like the crowds). I know I know... I've already shed a few tears, BUT I am determined to change his little mind. He will be a disney loving freak by the time I am done convincing him how truly amazing and magical this people filled, expensive food, long lined place is!

Trey, Jami, Indie, Ken and I all packed our purses bright and early and headed off to Disneyland. This was Indie babes first time, and frankly I am pretty sure I had more fun on the Dumbo ride with her, then space mountain. And that is sayin' somethin'!! Wanna know one of the best parts of this trip though? Was how Mckenna got ger ticket paid for.. watch this.. it's to die for.

 These pictures will be self explanatory. Enjoy.

To end our adventures we stopped off at this pizza place that was extraordinarily scrumptious. Deep dish pepperoni was shared between the four of us. Thank you brother Trey and sister Jami for treating us to such a special day! Until next time Mickey, Minnie, and the gang. 

>> Ry

Woah

I'm baaaacckkkk. But really.

I have actually been avoiding this place for a little while now, because when I think about how much I have to catch up on, it makes me insane. But I am facing my problems now and finally telling the world about what has been happening in our lives the past little while..

Crazy amazing, I know. 

A fun secret that I figured out about myself this past week, is that I literally become mentally deranged when my husband leaves me. Steve left last week, for the entire week. And the only person who will know how crazy I went will be my best friend across the hall from us, Mal. Her Mr. was gone as well, and we just mourned together. We have obviously been away from each other before. But I think that I have been so used to being with Steve literally all the time, that I didn't know what to do with myself when he was gone. Normally we have mornings together, we come home together, drive out to area together, but not last week. I was alone in the morning, alone driving out, alone coming home, and alone at night. (Except for when Mal and I would watch Extreme Weight Loss via the Mac).

Any who, I cried every single day, except for Friday, because I went and surprised him for his birthday (More on that later) and I didn't cry on Saturday either because that was the day he was coming home. Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous, and I've accepted it. That's why I'm sharing :)

Well that was a fun little soap box. Let's move on.

The title of this post? That is about all I have to say about life lately. Woah. It has been so unbelievably great, (besides being in my depressed state last week). And there is going to be a LOT of catch up to do.. that is for dang sure.

I'll start where I left off from last time though... SISTER TIME!

Having Mckenna out here was so awesome. It was hard to work. But I still did. And we had such a lovely time. I definetely made sure that Ken had a taste of what my job is like... aaanndd we didn't last long to say the least. We made sure to check out the beach, local Victoria Gardens {Where we ran in to our friends the Greens/Stayners from back home!!!} play with our favorite girl Indie baby, and of course many delicious foodie joints here and there.

One of my favorite parts of the trip? Was finding this sweet little cottage that my Grandma Penney grew up in. Its breathtaking. The best part is that it is literally a two minute walk from the beach, and in one of the prettiest little beach towns, Corona Del Mar. Worst part? It was sold  years ago and we can't enjoy it for ourselves anymore.. major bummer. Cheers to wishing we were billionaires right now!

Don't worry. That's all I'm going to bore you with for now. But for the next four days you will see a blog posting blast on this thing. Steve is leaving again tomorrow for the week, and I think I am ready to handle it a little bit better. Hoping that I won't be confined to tissues and be able to lead a normal life. Knock on wood. I may be talking to soon, So I guess you will find out tomorrow! Wohoo for girl emotions!! 

Mal will be my step in Husband for the week. Love you dear.

>> Ry