Shaver Lake, Ca

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

The City Vol. 2 - The Lewis Family

This is one my most favorite little families. Jord and Mal are some of our best friends, and considering the fact that our daughters are going to have the same name, it will stay that way. Soak in their beauty. (Also, Norah makes me want a little babe RIGHT NOW. Is she not scrumptious?)

-Ry

my guy

We celebrated this guys life this weekend! July 19th is one of my most favorite days of the year. Words really cant describe how much he means to me. He has blessed so many lives. And continues to do so every day. He is the most amazing Christ-like example and never ceases to keep me from laughing. Yesterday I made him play hooky from work and go to the celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe with some friends. We went to a bbq and saw planet of the apes to celebrate. Movies and food - two of his most favorite things :) 

Thank you for coming to this earth Mr. Warner! You are loved. 

-Ry

The City Vol. 1

I'm falling more in love with this city every single day. (and my husband... who am I kiddin?) Last weekend Steve and I stayed in San Francisco in the most amazing hotel (the Westin St. Francis - basically on union square. Which had the coolest vibe. It's one of the older hotels but is still kept so nice and it incredibly fancy. they had spiral stairs going from floor to floor and the bathrooms were completely covered in white marble. It was a dream) with some of our closest friends. It was just a good, good time. We hung out on Fisherman's wharf, downed some Ghirardelli chocolate, and actually stayed warm while we took pictures in front of the Golden Gate Bridge! (insert crazy face - cause that never happens). We stayed up until the wee hours playing cards and having pillow fights (yes, you read that right - we acted like 12 year olds and it was awesome. That's when you know you have rad friends.) We woke up early and went to the most delicious breakfast at sears right next to the hotel. Go there next time you are in the city. You can't go wrong with the eggs benedict. I stepped foot in my first Zara store and was in love. (Thanks Shelb for your insipration). Good thing there isn't one in Utah or I'd buy the store. Not really but I'd like to. 

Our lives are amazing. This summer is amazing. I promise we do work {sometimes}.