My Birthday

This year I had an amazing birthday! My sweet, thoughtful husband made the day special. He really out-did himself this year and I am still stunned. He got me the softest bathrobe in the world and I love wearing it. He also brought home flowers and my "official" gift....a Mac computer! Not only did he get the Mac, he loaded the computer with every program imaginable! So yes my blogging buddies, I am writing this blog from my new Mac computer thanks to Mike. My family-in-law also got me the cutest purse and I can't wait to build an outfit around it. ;) All I can say (which seems to be a theme for this blog), is that I am very blessed. 

Turning 25 today has made me stop and ponder the things I have learned over the last year and I want to share some of my thoughts...

1. No matter what happens in life, my family will always be there supporting me.
2. Marriage is fantastic, but getting married in the right place and the right time for the right reasons makes it phenomenal.
3. Any question can be answered with a little pray and faith
4. Life is uncontrollably messy ... and that's okay because I don't have to clean it up.
5. If I can laugh in a hard situation, I can get through it
6. Cuddling with Mike is Chicken Soup for my Soul... not the stories in the book.
7. My parents always told me "You'll thank me one day" ... Thanks Mom and Dad
8. No matter how many times I ask, Mike will still forget to put his socks in the hamper. It's okay though, I love him enough to do it for him
9. There is always my plan and Heavenly Father's plan... Heavenly Father's plan is better
10. There is nothing wrong with a good, hard crying session... let the mascara run!
11. My college professors lied to me... in the real world, I've never used the statistical equations they made me memorize.
12. There is nothing more fulfilling than sitting around with my family playing Pictionary
13. You can't control everything. As my family always says... "Let the blood flow"
14. I can quote all the movie lines I want to Mike... he still doesn't know what I'm talking about. I guess that will always be a college roommate thing.
15. My parent's are the world's best wedding planners. I think the 3 of us should open shop!
16. I will never understand some of Mike's missionary pictures
17. After running 90 miles an hour for a few weeks, you have to slow down. It's your choice whether you relax yourself or a cold does it for you.
18. People are always afraid to call us because we are "Newlyweds"... newlyweds like friends too!
19. No matter how many times my sister-in-law teases me, I still like the cheesy sayings and Kodak Moments
20. My brother always has a special place in my heart. He knows how to tease me, talk to me and love me like big brothers should. 
21. The older I get, I start enjoying TLC shows more... Like Jon and Kate plus 8
22. It amazes me that Mike always knows exactly when to hug me and tell me everything will be alright
23. Traveling is always better when Mike is with me... he usually takes the middle seat and lets me use his shoulder as a head rest. 
24. I am just starting to realize that my parent's were just like me not so long ago. They had fun dates, an exciting engagement, and a love-filled wedding. I always knew my parent's were cool, but I'm starting to see them in a different light... and I like it. 
25. I never knew love and life could be this amazing. With friends, family and Mike... my love tank is full!

New Calling

So it is official, I am the new 2nd Counselor in the Young Womans Program for our ward. I'm responsible for the cute Beehives. (12-13 year olds). Today we met with the Young Woman as their new Presidency and they are just a sweet bunch of girls. We were so welcomed into the program and I think I got more hugs today than at my wedding reception! I am so excited to teach, lead and befriend the girls and I can't wait to get started! If anyone has any good suggestions, let me know.

One perk about this new calling is the fact that I get to spend more time with Carissa, my cousin (in-law). Carissa and I became fast friends while I lived with her family before Mike and I were married. She and I always manage to have fun...even if it means working 3 hours to put together an IKEA dresser. Even though I love being married and wouldn't trade it for the world, I do sometimes miss the chats we had late and night. But, now I'm just around the corner from her, so we can still have the late night chats.

Not to boast, but I am really lucky to have such a loving family so close to me.

Where Did Fall Go??

My goodness! My Fall season just slipped away from me! It felt like blur. This time of year is always pretty busy for Mike and I. Not only are we working more, but we had birthdays, holidays and stressful days! I kept telling myself, "You need to update your Blog" but it just slipped through the cracks.

Well, let's take a trip back in time to recap what has been going on in the Pless world. At the beginning of October, we had Mike's 24th Birthday. Now, you will notice that there are no photos...those are coming. Just be thankful I'm writing. For Mike's birthday party, we decided to throw a family party at our house! I made him a fabulous Mexican dinner with Chicken Stuffed Quesidillas and Chicken Enchiladas. (Mike loved Mexican food) Then for dessert, I tried to bring my creative brain into the cooking world and made Lego cakes. Mike got 4 (smaller) chocolate cakes that looked like Legos. It was pretty fun, but they didn't look as good as the picture I was going off of. (Dang you Betty Crocker!)

After Mike's birthday, we prepared to go to Mexico with my parents and Aunt Patty. Mike will tell anyone who asks that the trip was his birthday present from my parents...so apparently my parents love Mike more than anyone else in the family. He's just so darn loveable I guess. I was just lucky to be able to tag along for the birthday festivies. (wink wink)

Once we got back from Mexico, I was out of commission for a week due to some bug I picked up in paradise. But, I can't complain...getting sick in paradise is still better than sick at home. Then, right around the corner was Halloween. I was looking forward to Halloween so very much, but that holiday flopped on us. I bought a big bowl of candy and only got 3 12 year old boys come to my door. I was bummed. Basically Mike and I watched a movie and watched the door like two homesick puppies. Very lame. Oh, and our pumpkins rotted 2 days after craving them. I had no clue that the warm weather here would dampen my spooky spirits. Lame pumpkin mold!

Well, that moves us into November. We celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday on the 11th and had a great time going to dinner as a big family. After that, we worked as hard as possible in preparation for Thanksgiving. This year, my parents decided to come to our house and be with us. It was so much fun having them here, but as Mike will point out, I get stressed out over everything. I had visions of the perfect holiday and dinner and I was determined to host a fabulous holiday weekend! Well, my hard work paid off. We had a perfect Thanksgiving and my dad and I cooked a fabulous dinner. Thanks dad for teaching me your super professional chef skills! I had so much fun learning for the master and spending quality time with my dad. After Thanksgiving Day, Mike unfortunately went back to work and my parents and I headed down to San Diego to see my grandma, Aunt Patty and Uncle Danny and Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Todd. It was so great seeing everyone. I think my favorite thing about this time of year is the great love families bring into my life. It just fills me up and radiates throughout the day. Well, my Uncle Danny - another fanominal chef - prepared a fabulous dinner and we had fun eating as a big family. On Saturday, we were off to the San Diego Zoo with Patty and Gram. We have been going to the zoo since I was a baby and I bet some of the same animals are there 24 years later. But it is always fun to see the playful animals...except the snakes. For some reason I just can't get into the snakes.

Well, now that Thanksgiving is over and we are well into December, it makes me wonder how 2 months can fly by so quickly. Now we are preparing for Christmas, my birthday and other activies. I have to toot my own horn here for a minute and let everyone know that I am 99% done with my Christmas shopping! WoHoooo!! Just a few details to add and then I'm offical done! I love it when all my organization pays off. Mike thought I was crazy starting my Christmas shopping in September...but who is the crazy one now? Not me!

Hopefully this months slows down a little bit - enough for me to add pictures to my blog!

Husband Tag...

Apparently I was tagged a month ago and didn't even realize it! Oops! Better late than never...

• What is your husband's name? Michael Adam (get the religious undertones?)

• How long have you been married? 10 months

• How long did you date? Before his mission...2 months. After his mission, first date in June 2007, Official Proposal in October 2007 (we knew we were going to get married in August...but waited for the ring to seal the deal) and married in February 2008.

• How old is he? 24

• Who eats sweets? Both of us. It is our weakness.

• Who said I love you first? He did. I was about to say it, but he beat me to the punch.

• Who is taller? Definitely him! I'm 5'5, he is 6'3

• Who does the laundry? Me...always me.

• Who pays the bills? He does...but I do all the grocery shopping and make the budget for it.

• Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do...but lately Mike has been stealing my side. I guess he just naturally gravitates to me which ever side I'm on. So...my official answer is...I sleep on the right side and Mike sleeps in the middle.

• Who mows the lawn? Our Landlord hires a cute little family to mow the lawn around our house....so I'm not sure what their names are. They come when Mike and I are at work, so the grass magically cuts itself!

• Who cooks dinner? I do. Mike makes great Chicken Soup out of the can when I'm sick though.

• Who drives? He does. He is so patient with his nervous, up-tight wife though. What can I say, the freeways here scare me! It's like people have no concept of keeping a healthy space in between cars. They think the space you make is for them and they push their HUGE SUV into a small space between you and the car in front of you. So, to save my sanity, Mike drives.

• Who is the first to admit they are wrong? I think we are both good at this, but definitely Mike. He is really patient and has such a loving personality.

• Who kissed who first? He kissed me first, but I think it was more of a joint decision.

• Who asked who out first? He did. Before his mission, we talked for hours at an FHE bonfire and he asked me out to dinner. It was super cute. Then, a few days after returning from his mission, he drove to Utah to see me and date me. Now that's dedication.

I feel so lucky to have Mike as my husband. He always makes me laugh, holds me when I'm sad and just loves me for who I am. I didn't know life could be this good! Love you baby!!