As of late

Things have been pretty busy in the Leishman household as of late... 

We have been having picnics & flying kites,

Discovering a few good finds at thrift stores,

Making homemade pizzas every Saturday night,

Swimming at pine view,

and taking trips to the temple.

Life is busy but oh so good. 

-Kami

The Little Basement

It is so true what they say about married life...you kind of fall off the face of the earth for a while.  But don't worry I am back and we are all moved in, getting into a routine, and finally feeling settled.  For those who haven't had a chance to come see the little basement we are renting I thought I would give a virtual tour.

First when you walk in is the kitchen.  Here's the stove/oven where the magic happens that keeps Bryce happy :)

Below is the open shelf I chose to store our dishes on and underneath the shelf is my beloved owl cookie jar (I pined for at anthro for over a year and finally broke down and bought) and Eliza the kitchen aid.  Eliza made her debut a few Saturdays ago with whole wheat bread and I will just say she can mix like a hero.

Next is the dining/living room area.

Dining area:

 

 

Hand embroidery by me.  The small one if you can't read it is a quote from Wuthering Heights that says "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

My chairs!! Oh my chairs.  I love them so much. Possibly a little too much :)

The Living Room area:

 

Close up of my rug I got on clearance at Urban Outfitters for a steal:

Couch Pillows:

Reading Corner:

Bookcase Bryce made me for Christmas:

Close ups:

Hallway Wall:

Next is the bedroom.

I am so happy with how our bedroom turned out.  Most everything in it was made by us.  I made the pillows, duvet cover, and nightstands.  Bryce and I both made the headboard.  It was so fun to see it all come together when everything was finished.

My Nightstand:

 

Bryce's Nightstand...haha

We stained the nightstands and headboard to match my cedar chest my parents gave me for graduation.  It sits at the foot of our bed but I couldn't get a picture with everything in it...so you get the idea.

The corner of our bedroom that was lonely so I added this:

Next, the bathroom.

Shower Curtain from Urban Outfitters:

The last room is the spare bedroom.  Here is my little corner with my sewing machine/craft supplies.  The other corners you can't see have things like Bryce's tools, and all his clothes in the open closet, since mine fill up the closet in our bedroom :)  This room still needs some work but it is getting there.

That about does it unless some of you want to see more detailed pictures like my pantry and the inside of my fridge.  If you insist I can do that.  We love having our own little place.  Life is so good, you guys.  And not to be a cheese or anything but married life is definitely as good as everyone tells you it will be.

-Kami

A bit of a Quandary

 

It is two days before my wedding.  It would be entirely false if I told you I was completely calm and ready for this whole "I do" situation.  My mind is buzzing, buzzing I tell you!  I feel twitchy and anxious, but I should mention also very, very excited.  I have not slept much this week.  It is just nerves, people keep telling me.  It couldn't possibly be the copious amounts of caffeine I am consuming to try to counter the tidbit of anxiety and exhaustion I am feeling? Most definitely not, I confirm to myself. Possibly the cosmos disagree that this isn't the case, because this morning when I hurriedly went through the drive through for a much needed diet coke fix the drink I was given, I noticed after I had driven away, was most assuredly NOT diet coke.  It was a terribly disappointing start to my morning.  So there is still a sad drink in my car, full to the brim of sickeningly sweet syrup.  I just can not drink it, if it is not diet it is much too sweet.  I blame my mother, she is the one who introduced it to me, after all.

My thoughts keep finding themselves turning to the future.  It is a strange thing, the future.  I'm sure it is something we all consider often.  When I was a young girl I used to always try to picture myself as a "grown-up".  I wondered what I would look like, where I would work, and what kind of person I would be.  I think my childhood self would really like who I have become.  I mean, I am terribly fun and witty, I still have a slightly abnormal obsession with Disney princesses, and just yesterday I finished watching Justin Beiber's documentary Never Say Never.  Yes, take that and appreciate it childhood self.  It was pretty rad. (I even still use run-on sentences just to make you feel a little more comfortable around me).

When I pictured myself I never pictured myself past the age of twenty-one, and especially not married because that was simply too much for my nine year old mind to wrap itself around.  Do you see why this is a bit of a quandary?  I have never really thought about what is past this point in my life.  I mean, of course I vaguely contemplated the notion that I would one day be married and eventually have children and the whole familial sphere that comes with it.  But I should clarify, when I say vaguely contemplated, I mean the thought "Oh of course one day I'll be married" zipped through my mind for oh, maybe.... 2.897 seconds.  So I'm not really sure how to take these next steps.  No one ever taught me how to be married! 

I am a planner, through and through.  Also a list maker I should throw in.  I need a clear destination and a specific plan how to get there set in place.  Otherwise, I am a complete mess.  Just ask Bryce.  He teases me that I couldn't answer his proposal properly because I had not "planned" it as part of my day when it happened.  He is only a little right about this.

So I am making a plan as we go, starting a list from advice I have been given on how to be married:

*Hold hands often.  (Bryce is really good at this.  He probably just likes it because I put on lotion after every time I wash my hands.  So they are always really soft and smell good.  Yeah, I'm sure that's it, I would like it too.)

*A piece of toast does not quite cut it as breakfast for a strapping young man, even if it is completely sufficient for myself.

*Make serving each other your highest priority.

*Never speak negatively about your spouse or complain about them to anyone.

*Sometimes just pretend you think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or whatever is really cool.  It will teach him to pretend your clothes, design, and shopping magazines are cool also.

*Pray together.

*Say thank you often.

*Back tickles are included in the vows, I'm sure of it.

*Go on dates often, and, ahem, keep the spark in your relationship.

*Say I love you as much as you can and show it through your actions.

*Sometimes the unknown future, when it is discovered, is the most beautiful.

*Always remember that you knew without a doubt you were married to the right person, at the right time, at the right place.  So when times get hard you can fall back on this and know that you are able to get through it together.

I think this is a good starting point.  I at least have a plan for the next week.  Get married, honeymoon, move in to our apartment.  I can handle those things, past this point is a little hazy; hence the self-treatment through list making & planning.  If you have any advice feel free to share.  I'm sure we will need it and my list could use a few more bullets.

-Kami

10

10

This is the number of days until I am married.  Of course I am extremely excited and so so happy, but at the same time I can't help but feel a sense of apprehension.  Most everything in my life will change in either a minor or major way.  My whole life while growing up I did not plan on being married until I was in my late twenties, 25 at the earliest. 

I'm not sure exactly why, it is just the way I felt it would happen.  I have been a very independent person and a bit of a perfectionist ever since I was a child.  I have always liked to do things on my own, and do them a certain way.  With marriage, obviously this will have to change a little.  I will have to learn to rely on my husband as much as I rely on myself.  I will have to learn to accept that he might not make the bed with hospital corners or load the dishwasher with all of the spoons, forks and knives in separate compartments. I will have to learn to accept that he doesn't fold towels or jeans the same why I do (even if it makes me cringe when I see him do it wrong). I will have to learn to compromise somehow because we both insist on sleeping on the right side of the bed. 

So, for the next few months I've decided this will be my motto:

I will hold myself to a standard of Grace not perfection

And if that doesn't work, I'm pretty sure an extra diet coke or two will definitely help ;)

-Kami

Valentime's

Goodness, you guys I am spoiled. Bryce surprised me on Valentine's (or Valentime's as I used to call it in my younger years) with the cutest dinner.  He made a salad, grilled salmon, steamed asparagus, and rice.  It was the first time he had cooked for me so I was a little skeptical, but it was SO good.  I didn't even know I was marrying someone who could cook!  He has been holding out on me, probably for good reason.  Now that I know he has kitchen skills I will be sure to put them to use.  He gave me a single yellow rose and a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure so my fingers and toes can be all prettied for the wedding.

I made him his favorite desert, strawberry cheesecake and attempted to make it look like the Captain America symbol to go with his gift.  I got him Captain American on dvd and a Captain America T-shirt.  

After dinner we ended the night watching the office.  It was the perfect Valentime's Day, could not have been better.

-Kami 

Newlywed Game

Last Saturday Bryce's family threw me a shower.  One of the games we played was a quick version of the Newlywed Game.  Before the shower Bryce filled out a sheet with several questions and had to first write what his answer would be and second what he thought my answers would be.  At the shower I had to pick a number and then guess what his answer was and what he thought my answer would be.  He deserves props because he did really well on most of my answers, well all the ones he was serious on.  This post is more for me than anyone else, I wanted a way to make sure I'd remember all his answers. Here they are, with added commentary from me :)

Newlwed Game Questions:                                                  

1) Favorite Sports Team

Bryce: 49ers 

Kami: Jazz *Easy question, I got both of these answers right

2) Favorite Item of clothing to wear all the time?   

Bryce: Socks *Umm, I have never heard him say anything about socks in his life he totally just made that up            

Kami: The Ring *I got this answer wrong, I guessed skirt because he is always making fun of me for wearing skirts almost every day

3) Last Movie you watched together?

Bryce: Secret Garden

Kami: Secret Garden *I got this answer right, he loved this movie by the way, no matter what he tells you :)

4) When did you know you were in love?

Bryce: The first time I kissed her  *I wasn't sure on his answer for this, I just said that he knew before I did

Kami: After she dumped me *Ha ha, I didn't know what he said on this answer either, but this is probably true.  I don't know if I knew I loved him for sure after I dumped him but I knew I felt differently about him because I realized I missed him and wanted to actually commit to dating him after we broke up

5) If you two could live anywhere what would the first choice be?

Bryce: New Zealand *This was a suprise to me, I'd never heard him say this

Kami: New York *Totally true, he knows me very well

6) Which of your friends do they like the best?

Bryce: He said I would say Brance *Yep I guessed right on this question

Kami: His answer was that he likes Laci the best of my friends *I got this one right too and said it was probably because she's the only one he really knows

7) Favorite Beverage?

Bryce: Juice *I got this wrong, I guessed milk.  This was hard I knew he doesn't like pop or anything like that so I wasn't really sure what he would say

Kami: Diet Coke *Ha, I did get this right and again he knows me so well :)

8) What do you eat on your hamburger?

Bryce: Everything *pretty easy question, another one I got right

Kami: He said I would not eat the Hamburger *My answer was I don't eat them, good job Bryce!

9) Last gift your fiance gave you?

Bryce: Shirt *I got this answer right.  I always end up getting him one when I am shopping for myself if I find something on sale.  Bryce mentioned once he has gotten more clothes since he started dating me than ever in his whole life.  Lucky him :)

Kami: A ring *Correct, but it was not just a ring it was THE ring

10) Where and when did you first meet?

Bryce: His answer was 6th grade

Kami: He answered 6th grade for me as well *I got this wrong, I said technically we met at institute because that is the first time we actually spoke

11) Dream Career?

Bryce: Pediatrician

Kami: Mom *I got both of the answers correct on this question too

12) Ideal number of children?

Bryce: 6

Kami: 6 *We had talked about this before so I got this question correct easily

13) Favorite move?

Bryce: Captain America

Kami: Gone with the Wind *He is sooo good, he pays attention more than I thought.  I was genuinely surprised he new this was my favorite movie

14) Favorite flower?

Bryce: Tulips *I had no idea on this, boys don't usually have a favorite flower??

Kami: he said my answer would be NONE, they die *Ha ha, he was right.  I always say I never want flowers for a gift because they just die, so I would rather have something else

15) Fiance's best feature?

Bryce: He said "Her Ambition" *I was first asked what he thought I would say and was told the correct answer was "his butt" so I was assuming he would try to be funny on this one too and say my best feature was my butt...

Kami: He answered that I would say his butt *I got this wrong, I said his sense of humor, but I think his answer proves my point

16) Favorite dessert?

Bryce: Strawberry Cheesecake *I got this answer wrong, I had no clue what his favorite was

Kami: He said my answer would be vegetables *Ha, I love that this is what he answered. I am not a big fan of dessert and rarely eat it.  He knows I would much rather have veggies or fruit, so lots of points for him for again knowing me so well

I think since we both got so many answers right on this little quiz, statistically speaking we have a high likelihood of staying married :)  I'm pretty happy to be marrying someone who can always make me laugh and knows me like the back of his hand.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

-Kami

Did you ask my dad?!?!

Bryce and I had been talking about marriage for a couple months before we were actually engaged, so we both knew he would be proposing sooner rather than later.  On the weekend of Black Friday we decided to go shopping and just “look” at rings and get my ring size.  We found out my ring size at the first jeweler but went to a few different ones so Bryce could get an idea of what I wanted.  I already knew exactly what I wanted.  I just wanted a simple white gold band with a solitaire diamond.   I tried on a few different rings but I hated the way all of them looked except for the solitaire, so I knew my mind was not changing on that.  All of the jewelers gave us the usual scripted sale on that we wanted it to be special, the highest quality, meaningful, not to settle, yada yada yada.  By the second jeweler I was so irritated at the salesman I didn’t even want to look anymore. 

We ended up looking at one more place and found the exact ring I wanted on clearance for more than half off.  It was such a good deal there was no way we could pass it up.  Bryce was a little sad because he hadn’t wanted me to be there when he bought it but I told him it didn’t matter because it would still need to be sized before he could pick it up so I still wouldn’t know when he would actually pick it up or propose.  A few weeks went by without us really talking about it.  He had mentioned at one point he, of course, would ask my dad for his permission before he proposed.  My parents were both expecting this as well, and they kept me updated almost daily, “Well, he still hasn’t asked yet.  Are you sure this is really going to happen?” I would roll my eyes, only a little dramatically, and shrug off their sarcasm. 

A couple of weeks before Christmas we went to Temple Square to see the lights.  We walked around the grounds and looked at the indoor exhibits before making our way around to the reflection pool.  We were looking at some of the nativity displays when Bryce noticed the famous “proposal pedestal”.  He grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards it.  I adamantly said no and told him I was NOT going over there.  Those that know me know I am very opposed to public displays of affection, and anything that draws attention to me in public.  It took a few months before I would even hold his hand in public, and still the only person we have kissed in front of is my brother (and NOT by my choice at all, Bryce was trying to embarrass me in front of him).  I was desperately trying to plant my feet to the ground and pull Bryce in the other direction, unsuccessfully.  He finally picked me up and hauled me fireman style to the pedastal.  I pulled my hood on to try and hide my face.  My cheeks were burning with embarassment.  There were a few groups of people around that started to watch so I tried not to make a scene putting up too much of a fight.  Bryce planted me firmly on the pedestal and stated confidently "Kami I need to ask you something."

I was so embarassed and frustrated at this point that I exclaimed "No!  I don't want you to ask me anything!"

Bryce started laughing and got down on one knee.  I started freaking out a little and more people were watching.  I frantically tried to pull him back up to a standing position, but made little progress.  He was holding one of my legs firmly on the pedestal and one of my hands when he looked up at me trying to stifle his laughter.  Again he stated "Kami I need to ask you something....(dramatic pause).......will you wait here with me while I tie my shoe?"

I promise it was not even funny, no matter what he says.  I hit him a few times as he was laughing at his cleverness and was finally able to get down and walk away. I was still hiding under my hood and made it a point to not look at anyone's faces or reactions.  Bryce caught up with me and gave me a big hug from behind explaining he was sorry but it was too good of an opportunity for him to pass up.  

Another week went by.  More prying and sarcasm from my parents.  It was the Friday of my sister's reception and Bryce was leaving to California for a week and wouldn't be back until Christmas Eve.  He came to the reception and I was able to see him for a few minutes before he left.  When I got home that night there was a small gift bag left on the couch.  The bag had a picture of a ring on the outside of it.  The lights were off so I briefly looked in the bag and saw a ring box and assumed it was my sister's (who had recently been married a week prior) so I left it where I found it.  The next morning my sister came to pick up a few things she had left at home.  I was passing to the kitchen when she called from the living room, "Kami what is this bag in here?"  I casually replied, "Oh that's yours."

She quickly corrected me, "Umm NO, it's not.  It says: To Kami, from Secret Admirer."

Confused I quickly went into the living room to inspect it.  Sure enough it was addressed to me and on the other side of the card it said do not open until Christmas.  "Oh gosh," I replied with the obligatory eye roll.  There was no way I was waiting until Christmas.  I pulled the ring box out of the bag and opened it to find inside a picture of a ring.  Laci and her husband started laughing.  I had a bit of a different view on the situation, although they found it very comical. 

Bryce finally returned the day before Christmas Eve.  He spend all of Christmas Eve with me attending my family parties.  I was with him all day, so I knew he still hadn't talked to my dad.  Christmas morning I woke up and spent some time with my parents.  My Mom casually stated, "Bryce still hasn't talked to your dad.  I was expecting him to propose on Christmas, but maybe it will happen on New Year's or something instead."

I looked at my dad suspiciously, "He hasn't asked you?  Do you swear?" 

He answered in return, "I promise he has not said a word to me about it.  I would tell you!  I told your sister right after it happened for her."  I decided he was telling the truth.  I knew him pretty well and knew he would be too excited to keep that a secret from me. 

Later that morning I went to Bryce's to spend the day with him and his family  We went to church from his house and when we got there I headed up to sit on the stand to lead the music.  Bryce nudged me on my way up saying, "I have to go to the bathroom I'll be right back." 

"Okay. See you," I replied nonchalantly.  Bryce came back into the chapel after the sacrament had been passed, but I did not think anything of it.  After church we went to his family parties all day and did not return to my house until around 9 pm.  We talked with my family for a while before they headed to bed when Bryce suggested we go for a walk.  I thought this was an unusual request since it was almost midnight and the middle of December.  It wasn't what I would call optimal walking weather.  I begrudgingly agreed.  My mind bounced around a few of the possibilities of what the walk would entail, but referring back to recent instances I reassured myself if anything Bryce was just trying to play a joke on me again.  We walked for about ten minutes before returning to my house.  We were standing on my porch facing eachother and talking.  I put my hands in his coat pockets.  He sort of flinched and gave me a kind of funny look.  I thought it a little odd but brushed it off and we kept talking.  After about a minute he paused and asked, "Do you know what's in my pocket?"

My heart started pounding and I could feel my eyes widening.  I kept repeating to myself over and over, "This is just a joke.  He's just teasing you.  He hasn't even asked for permission yet!"

I slowly replied, "No...?"

He smiled and said, "My hands."

I groaned and shoved him playfully.

He smiled again and said, "And this ring."  He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and got down on one knee.

My stomach dropped.  At this point I could not even breathe.  My thoughts were racing a million miles a minute.  I was so confused, happy, and shocked that I could not formulate how I was supposed to respond. 

Bryce grabbed my hand with one of his and started his speech, "Kami, I love you..."

I interrupted him and disconcertedly exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Have you talked to my dad?! Did you ask my dad?! Have you talked to him?! "

Bryce ignoring my questions continued, "I love you and I want to spend forever with you.  Will you marry me?"

I was so perturbed I could not even answer his question so I just kept asking, "When did you talk to my dad?!  Did you ask my dad? DID YOU ASK HIM?!"

Bryce a bit annoyed at this point irritatedly declared, "Yes of course I asked him!"

My mind quieted and I looked at him for a second.  "Okay.  Well, then yes."

He started laughing, stood up, and kissed me.  I was still trying to figure out when it had happened or if my parents had lied to me.  I pulled away and asked, "Wait, so when did you ask him?  I talked to them both this morning and they insisted that you hadn't asked still."

"I asked when I went to the "bathroom" at church.  I left church and went to your house really quick to ask today.  I knew you would be with me all day so he wouldn't have a chance to tell you," he explained.

"Oh....well, if he said it was okay, then I guess I will go through with it," I jokingly replied smiling up at him. 

He smiled back, put the ring on my finger,

 and that is how it happened.

-Kami