Joy

I really don't know where to start right now.

But as all good stories start, Once upon a time, just a couple of weeks ago, my favorite person on this earth came to visit me!  Yeah, that's right.  My UEA break, also known as deer hunt vacation, was spent with Matt. 

To be honest, I was a little worried about him coming that week earlier in the week.  My mom had surgery on Wednesday and my grandma is with us again for another unspecified amount of time.  But those two things didn't worry me that much.  It was my dad that made it hard.  He was really really sick for a whole weekend, and then, come to find out, it was just because he wasn't taking his pills correctly.  Geez dad, we already have to deal with that in Grandma!  But all that drama at home went away.  My dad started taking his pills correctly, my grandma was doing good with her pills, and my mom was laughing and smiling after her surgery!

So the day came.  Matt's work load that week was light and easy, which made it very nice for both of us.  He left campus around 1:15 instead of 4:15, giving us 3 extra hours together!  I, with the help of Ryan, Tressa, and John, painted our basement so Matt and I wouldn't have to worry about doing that.  When 4:15 came around, I stopped painting so I could get the paint off my hands.  I didn't think that I was that excited, yet again.

Once all the paint was off my hands, I went outside to wait for him.  I kept telling myself that I wasn't that excited.  But as soon as the shiny red car pulled up across the street, my heart starting pounding!  I was, indeed, very excited. :-)

Matt got out of the car and I started walking towards him.  He was putting his keys in his pocket and I was almost to him so I was saying, "Hurry!  Hurry!"  We finally reached each other.  He picked me up and spun me around and I said, "EEEEEEEEE!!!!" Like hurr-eee!  It was cute.

We went to my porch glider swing thing between two pear trees in my yard.  That is where we spent our whole summer together pretty much.  It was just good and happy and cute and lovely. :-)

You know, the whole weekend was mostly just really mushy.  We hugged and kissed and held hands.  In the car I scooted as close to him as my seat belt would let me and I would rest my head on his shoulder.  You know how people talk about being "weak in the knees"?  Well, I discovered what that means.  Every time we were in each others arms and then we would kiss, I would lose my balance and start to fall over.  I think that is what "weak in the knees" is.

Saturday morning we went on a little adventure to take pictures of ourselves.  We used a tri-pod and self-timer.  Here are some of my favorites:

I stole this idea from another photographer... isn't that how all pictures go?

We rather like to dance. :-)

 Shortly after this adventure, we drove to St. George with John, Ryan, and Katie to do baptisms.  Ryan and Katie stayed outside, which was perfect for the two of them.  It was a nice little experience.  We sat for a long time waiting for our turn, but it didn't bother anyone, even Katie and Ryan who were waiting for us.

John took this picture of us outside the temple.  It is my favorite of the day.  I think we both look much older.

If I could go to the temple once a week, I would.  I love the peace that it brings.  This one day in seminary we were just looking at pictures of the temples and it filled my heart with joy.  It is truly amazing how one old building can bring so many memories and fill you with happy, peaceful thoughts.

Happy... happy... happy....! :-)

When we got back to Cedar, we ate dinner and went to a wedding reception.  It was really interesting.  The bride is a friend of mine, kind of, but her little sister was the one that insisted that I had to be there, which was really fine with me.  Matt and I were talking to the bride and groom, introducing ourselves to the groom.  The groom asked if we were married.  We just laughed.

We then watched a movie with Trent, Katie, Ryan, and Jessie.  If you ever want to watch a super uplifting movie, find The Ultimate Gift.  It was soo good.  Katie cried through the whole thing pretty much.

Sunday was another good day.  Matt came over around 10 and we just chilled and cuddled and were happy.  Church was interesting.  We didn't have a very long attention span.  Matt expressed his joy of being in a college ward where people are more mature and pay attention to the lessons, unlike in my ward.

After church we sat outside while dinner cooked, just like we always did in the summer.  We talked about his mission a little and I cried a little.  We read each other stories that we wrote about each other.  It was so peaceful and happy.

It was just a good, fun, perfect weekend, yet again.  Today the thing that I really am so amazed by is the simple fact that we have never made out.

Pause for dramatic effect.

Yes, you read that right.  Matt and I have never made out.  It's actually quite impressive, especially when that is just what people tend to do these days.  First kisses on movies are never just a simple peck; it is a make out session.  People just throw that around, and it drives me crazy.

It is just not important to us.  That is not where we want to go with our relationship at this point, and it has been very rewarding.  Following the standards has its rewards.

It was a great weekend.  The thing that kept us from crying too much was the fact that I am going up there this weekend!  Yay!

:-)