Crucial Week for KerMatt

Another crazy week for us... although it started off pretty nice. Matt and I spent the Martin Luther holiday spending time together at home. I was able to finally finish one of my many home projects - painting a pair of shutters I bought at an architectural salvage store after getting the idea from my DIY newsletter. I included a pic below. I am finally getting some color added to my kitchen as I have been wanting. Much slower than I would like though.

Matt has spent the week getting ready for his GMAT amid his other school duties. He took the week off of work but it still didn't feel like he had enough to study with school, homework, ASM, Technical Career Fair, Church, his new calling (guess what it is?), and a sometimes needy wife :) He played church basketball twice this week to get a break from all of this, which would have been nice if one of the other ward's didn't have a player who turned out to be a big jerk and resulted in Matt getting kicked out of the game (it's a story for another time, trust us).

On Tuesday, he had his ASM Opening Social which I went down to Provo for. It was a blast and was in the new Hinckley Alumni Bldg, which is very nice. They had a wonderful catered dinner, passed out their new ASM shirts that Matt helped design, gave away cool nerd prizes, and even hired ComedySportz to come out and perform for an hour. They did a great job of relating to the ASM club members and were very entertaining.

At work, I was able to finally bring in some sponsorship money this week and I even recruited the president and publisher of the Deseret News to lead an executive brainstorming breakfast for me to help identify a new executive chair for my Heart Walk this year. Things are starting to look up and could not be more welcome.

On Friday night, I left Matt to get his last studying in and I headed out to Midway (by Heber) for a Relief Society Retreat. I had no idea what to expect as I have never been to an RS Retreat but it ended up being a blast. I did feel somewhat guilty for leaving Matt though :( About 35 other ladies from my ward went and we all stayed in a huge cabin. The weather was horrible getting out there with other cars sliding all over the road for half of the drive but we ended getting there safely and not getting snowed in.

I expected some cheesy games or testimony meeting (sorry but like I said, I didn't know what to expect). I was pleasantly surprised with the lack of agenda and the opportunities to just get to know the other ladies. We did play one game but it ended being really fun where I got to learn unique things about each of the ladies. We ate lots!!! including way too much sugar, talked for hours, I even made virgin margaritas and pina coladas for the other ladies, and we hit up the hot tub while it was snowing (a fantastic idea minus the 3 feet of snow we had to tromp through to get to the hot tub).

The only weird part was how I felt (along with the 3 other newlywed wives who were with me). I'm not sure what exactly it was but we kinda felt like we were treated like young women who just graduated into Relief Society. We have many newlyweds in our ward but only 4 of us ended up going to the retreat. It could have been the "fishbowl room" that we were staying in, or the fact that the 4 of us tried to cram into 1 bed due to our less than pleasant room decor of Moose and Bear heads, but it was still very strange.

Matt finally took the GMAT on Saturday but did not do as well as had hoped so he is going to have retake it again next month. Poor guy, let's just say he wasn't the happiest man alive yesterday but I made him dinner and a funfetti cake and spent the night watching TV with him to help him cheer up and take his mind off of it.

I am so proud of him and I know he will do better next time. I can not wait for this semester to be over so that he does not have as much pressure on him.

Thanks to all of you who have been our support this week! And know that we love you!

KerMatt

The Newlywed Wives Crew in our makeship bed for 4

(Lindsay, me, Cami & Suzanne)

Our Fishbowl Room (there were 4 full size windows on each side along with windows at the top level for all to look down into, like a little foyer) Definitely the strangest room I have ever stayed in and we were the only ones brave enough to try it.

The top windows and a random ledge up top in our room with our scary Moose decor

The view we saw while laying in our bed. I was seriously worried I was going to wake up and pee my pants when I saw these guys.

So much to be grateful for!

KerMatt hiking around Lake Poway with Cayden, Carys & Lane

enjoying the warm, sunny SD weather

We're a little behind in our blogging so here is a summary of our last couple weeks starting with our Christmas vacation in beautiful San Diego:

• Dinner with Rocky & Sarah and Mel and Ryan and Paige and kids
• Much time spent with Daniel playing facebook games and Wii (Guitar Hero World Tour)
• Joined Ryan and kids at "The Squeakquel" and enjoyed watching my nephew Cody dance around to the music
• Matt tried to see "Avatar IMAX 3D" several times (which is how he got roped into seeing Squeakquel) but finally we were able to see it in IMAX 3-D on Christmas Evening with a bunch of Matt's friends and we LOVED IT!!! We both definitely would put it on the top of our best movies list ever!
• Matt introduced his nephew, Cayden, to the Wii and created an addict we think
• We spent Christmas Eve at Ryan and Paige's which was so fun watching the kids and all their excitement. Dylan kept a good track of Santa online all night until bedtime and then we all gained an extra hour of sleep when Ryan went in and turned off Dylan's alarm. So instead of waking up at 6, we got sleep until 7! I'm used to the 5 am Christmas mornings.
• Dylan and Kailey got these sweet motor scooters for Christmas and we had fun breaking them in.
• Matt managed to help several people with their computer problems including Paige, and for that she was ever grateful. In fact, she devoted a lot of time to making food she knew Matt would love - she knows that the may to my husband's heart is through food and the way to more time with me is through my husband :) And she is a fabulous cook I might add so I didn't mind being around for any of that.
• I managed to contract Pink Eye from my nephews and come down with a random, phantom flu one day putting a little damper on our vacay but luckily Matt stayed healthy, which is probably a first for our vacays in the last 2 years.
• We hit up most of our fave foods in Sd including Wahoos, In N Out, Pat & Oscars and, of course, Matt's ultimate fave...Petersen's Donuts in Escondido.
• We had a blast spending quality time with Matt's parents and his nephews and nieces, Cayden, Carys & Calay, the second week of our vacay but still not ever enough.
• We got to have a second Christmas celebration with them including another night of opening presents, cinnamon pull-aparts and breakfast for dinner.
• While enjoying a day at the park with the fam, Matt accidentally threw the boomerang into a tree. Then he spent the next hour trying to get it down while managing to get the frisbee stuck even higher. We had quite an audience as you can imagine. But thanks to a random boy visiting from Oregon, Matt was able to get the boomerang down with a football and get the frisbee down with a borrowed water bottle and his amazing skills. He is just my hero!
• On New Year's Eve, we had a fabulous evening of food and dinner with our friends Dave and Jackie, and then we went down to the regional YSA party and volunteered for a couple hours. Matt loved seeing all of his boys and he even got some quality time on the dance floor with them. Afterwards, we headed over to Terrie and Andrew's home, my past roomie and her new husband, where we rang in the New Year by roasting smores on Windansea Beach in La Jolla, drinking Martinelli's with more wonderful friends, all under a Blue Moon. We loved that we could actually still spend time at the beach and not be freezing in December, which is a nice break from Utah where you can barely run from home to car and back without getting hypothermia. In fact, the weather was so nice and sunny for us the majority of our trip that we struggled coming home.
• Matt got his buddies together for a fun New Year's breakfast the next day and then more Wii time afterwards. I was able to get together with several of my past co-workers a couple different times and ward friends while down there as well. We have so many great friends in SD and truly loved the time we got with them.
• We left the next day and broke up the trip by staying the night in Vegas with my friend, Darlene and her husband. And we found this made our travel back so much easier. We even were able to finish watching Season 3 of House.
• I will say though that with the 2 weeks down there, we still did not feel like we got enough time with everyone, especially with the fam. And of course, we hardly took any pictures. Man we really need to get better about that :)

So now we are home and we had to jump head first back into school and work again. Although Matt ended up going back to Vegas just 4 days later with a group of boys in his ASM Club for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). They were only there for a day and half though and then he was back to receive a new calling in our ward as a member of the Activities Committee.

I am finally starting to bring in sponsorship at work, which is a much-needed relief for me and I am just working hard to find an executive chair to lead my 2010 Heart Walk.

I have also taken on another wish kid in my volunteer time. He is a 15-year-old Hispanic boy with end-stage renal disease who has to get dialysis three times a week. He is the sweetest kid but still so very much a "too-cool" teenager and actually reminded me a lot of my brother Seth (minus all those health problems). His one wish is to get a big screen TV so that he can watch the Jazz games on it (apparently his TV at home is tiny).

We had his wish declaration meeting yesterday and his poor little mother just cried through the whole thing after finding out that his wish was already approved and going to be granted. In 2 weeks, my wish partner and I are going to be able to pick him up in a limousine, along with his family and friends, and take him to Best Buy to purchase his giant TV, to the mall to spend any additional money, then to lunch at Chuck-Rama (his fave!) and back to Make-A-Wish for a "star-raising ceremony" and wish party with more family and friends.

I must say that working with Marco has been so emotional for me just because he is so sweet and so humble... and his situation is so scary and new for him (as he just developed this condition a little under a year ago). But he is still so positive and I feel that I much to learn from someone with that much optimism.

Matt is busy as ever with his school, work, ASM and studying for the GMAT. He will be taking it this Saturday so please, PLEASE everyone keep him in your prayers. He is worried of course (and the Chargers loss today didn't help much :) ) but I know that he is so bright and will do the best he can.

I know this has been long but I want you all to know how much we love you all and how much we truly appreciate your love, your guidance and your support. We are truly more blessed than we probably even deserve and we can not thank our Heavenly Father enough.

Have a fabulous week ya'll and remember to take some time tomorrow to remember the accomplishments of great men like Martin Luther King Jr.

Love,

KerMatt

Before we left for San Diego, we stopped to visit Matt's nieces in Provo. (Above) Jamie shows off her Princess Collection

Jeraldine (above) and Johanita (below) loving their play time teasing Tio Matt

We made ornaments at FHE to having something to commemorate

our first Christmas together as husband and wife

Cayden and Carys at Lake Poway

KerMatt at Windansea Beach after having lunch at Wahoos

Cody riding around in his new toy on Christmas morning

with his teddy bear as passenger (though teddy kept falling out)

Matt hiding is his Snuggie on Christmas morning while working on fixing Paige and Ryan's laptops. My pink Snuggie sitting next to him - yep we are now those people :)

Kailey and Dylan showing off their new matching motor scooters

Ryan, Dylan and Paige enjoying their first Cotija's experience with Keri

The Huish Home (aka Mr & Mrs Claus' Home), same house that Matt & I had our wedding reception. Keri took Ryan and his family there to check out just how fabulous this house really is after hearing how much they really go all out for their community. It looked like a theme park!

More of the Huish home

Ryan, Dylan, Kailey, Cody and Paige waiting in line to enter the Huish home

Cody and Mel enjoying their own "little kid table"

2009 In Review - Keri

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write about your 2009. At the end, choose people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes... Read More” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 2009 in Review (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before? Got married and all that that entails for a 28-year-old Mormon girl. Also painting the walls in my apartment and sewing curtains.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes all except for taking swim lessons and having a solid food storage. And worrying less of course - no way to do that when planning a wedding and being a recent newlywed to a husband who is so casual about making set plans.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth or get pregnant? My friends/co-workers Sarah & Alison, my old roomies Jodi and Anna, and my sister-in-law Bekah had adorable babies this year. It seems like everyone I know is now pregnant, especially as of this last month most of which I will not name as I'm never sure who's ready to tell yet :)

4. Did anyone close to you get married? I did!!! And so did my sis Tori a month after me and my SD roomie Terrie, my co-worker Amanda, and my SD friend Maren.

5. Did anyone close to you die? No, not exactly but does Michael Jackson count? I feel my dance skills have waned with his passing.

6. Travel? All over the Western US but not nearly enough. Cali - San Diego, Fairfield, San Jose, Vegas, Florida - Orlando and Tampa Bay, Washington - Seattle, Redmond, Snoqualmie, Spokane

7. Did you move anywhere? Yes - after 2 months of marriage, Matt & I upgraded to a 2-bedroom apartment in Draper, UT. And it was a fabulous decision as we both love our home and location now!

8. What was the best month? April and May with all of the wedding festivities and all of my family and friends I got to see. But February was pretty awesome as well because I felt like I was glowing after our engagement on Valentine's day.

9. What would you like to have in 2010 that you have lacked in 2009? A new truck for Matt since I knew he misses his (though he is rocking his station wagon without complaint), a flu shot - I slacked on getting it this year and spent a portion of my Christmas vacation not feeling well, a new home and new job in California, a visit to the East Coast to visit my good friend, Dawn. And how about a financially successful Heart Walk finally!

Rock Band would be nice...

Also a trip to Spokane for Hoopfest 2010 (had to miss in '09 due to my rescheduled honeymoon)...

Oh and my initial honeymoon in Cancun that Matt and I had to cancel because of the swine flu.

10. What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Feb 14 - our engagement, Apr 25 - my first temple day, May 1 - my wedding, May 2 - my reception

11. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Well the obvious with getting married in the temple probably but also actually remembering my friend Sharee's birthday. I am horrible at remembering birthdays and really tried to focus on remembering hers since I have been such a slacker the past couple years. If only everyone would just get on Facebook which has helped me greatly!

12. What was your biggest failure? Not breaking Matt of his pizza love and fast food habits. Also forgetting everyone else's birthdays while trying to focus on remembering Sharee's :)

13. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes - sick all the time...lame question

14. What was the best thing you bought? My HP laptop that I finished paying off this year...

15. Whose behavior merited celebration? Matt for surviving the Junior Core of his ISYS program and being elected co-president of his ASM Club. My friends, Mary and Aaron, for getting engaged (not to each other though, wouldn't want to start any rumors). My mom for her new job and all of her hard work - probably my dad too for continuing his hard work even though his body is falling apart. Paige on her educational achievements and overcoming her Desperate Housewifeness :) Love ya girl! Sharee for finishing her many years of school and becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Laura for embracing her many talents and delving into the photography world. Briauna and Grant for not shaking their baby.

16. Whose behavior made you appalled and/or depressed? Kanye West - what a jerk!

17. Where did most of your money go? Rent, food, tithing, credit cards and student loans

18. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting married of course (aren't you sick of the wedding talk by now), waking up next to Matt every morning, the release of New Moon, my 2 week Christmas vacation in San Diego.

19. What song will always remind you of 2009? The firefly song by Owl City and the Africa remix by Karl Wolf

20. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?
ii. richer or poorer?

i. I am definitely happier - last year I really struggled with leaving San Diego and moving back to Utah. I had a hard time readjusting to the Utah winters,and I worried about EVERYTHING - to being out here without being engaged, my new office, missing my San Diego roomies and my old Utah friends that I couldn't quite see enough, etc...

I have learned to focus on the MANY, MANY blessings in my life. I am richer in my life with my wonderful marriage and my best friend always right beside me. And after seeing the love of my family and friends this year with all that a wedding entails, I can not doubt that I do not have many people that love me.

ii. Matt (and mint.com) have also helped me come to term with finances so I also feel richer even though I am definitely by most terms, poorer.

21. What do you wish you'd done more of? Hiking, biking and laying out by the pool. I felt like summer flew by me and Utah really has so much to offer during this time of year. Spending time with my friends of course, especially my friends, Nicole, Dawn and Laura.

22. What do you wish you'd done less of? Eat, worry and complain

23. How will you be spending New Year's Eve/Day? I spent it in San Diego with Matt and our SD friends, and his family. At midnight on New Year's Eve we were roasting smores on the beach with my old roomie Terrie and it was the best New Year's Eve I have ever had.

24. What was an unexpected surprise? My pregnancy... haha PSYCH! J/k My sister getting married out of nowhere to a guy she had dated for like 2 months

25. Did you fall in love in 2009? Yes of course - I fall in love with Matt all over again usually every week, except during football season and when he watches Nitro Circus.

26. What was the best concert you've been to this year? Definitely not Britney Spears for the content but since many of my friends were with me and I had free tickets, I'd have to say it wins over Incubus or Pinback.

27. What was your favorite TV program? House! I freaking love that show but I still always have to give a shout out to American Idol.

28. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year? Probably movie Edward if you ladies know what I'm saying :) and definitely Lady Gaga

29. What was the best book you read? a biography on Audrey Hepburn

30. What was your greatest musical discovery? Pandora application on my phone and Pandora Quick Mix

31. What did you want and get? My dream wedding and husband, amazing in-laws, a memory foam mattress pad (suckas!) and black leather gloves to protect my hands as I scrape ice off my windows every morning for 10 minutes

32. What did you want and not get? All of my family at my wedding - not to make anyone feel guilty...Oh and the thing that heats your car for you in the morning so it is warm when I get in it

33. What was your favorite film of this year? AVATAR! And I was a skeptic before I saw it but I am definitely sold. I would say Blindside is a pretty close runner up though.

34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 28 this year and I spent a night with Matt drinking Martinelli's (yep, we really did that), eating a Swedish dinner made from Ikea food (holla Lisa!), and just cuddling...you know what I'm sayin

35. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Reaching my Heart Walk goal or at least covering my costs for my Utah County Heart Walk - and maybe a visit to the east coast to visit Dawn and Bri and to Sweden

36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? A reinvention of myself - less edgy with trying to dress more mature at work and having a conservative husband. But finding a balance between these things and my own quirky personality. I have also tried to invent my casual dress style since I never really have done casual - harder than you think people! I either end up looking like a teenager or a Mormon mom

37. What kept you sane? Regular exercise, sweets only on the weekends (holla Anna!), Matt's patience and my co-worker, Rachel

38. What political issue stirred you the most? Let's be honest, I pay more attention to pop-culture than politics sadly. I really do try to be more aware but most politics just confuse me. I guess I have had to delve more into the healthcare issue with my line of work though.

39. Who did you miss? My college friends - I just feel like our lives have gone in so many different directions and places and I just sometime miss the old,awkward days.

40. Random Memories from 2009? Being tricked by Matt on Valentine's Day when he proposed and his friends surprising us by running out of the bushes, pole dancing with my girls in Pacific Beach for my Bachelorette Party, crying over witnessing a dead duck while riding my bike, dressing like Britneys with Nicole and going to a horrible Britney concert, playing Frisbee golf and eating the best chocolate chip cookies with Brad & Sharee, dress shopping with a traumatized Mary and Charlotte, playing Rock Band with Chris & Pikey while Chris pretends to not know the words to the songs though he is singing the words at the top of his lungs, having a very pregnant (and grumpy) Jodi at my bridal shower though it was a huge sacrifice for her, almost dying while biking down a canyon with Rachel, Paige advising Matt and I that it's okay to medicate the night of our wedding, dragging a very upset Swede away from Terrie's wedding, Laura saying she feels like a jerk when she eats too much...