Happy 1st Father's Day, Matson!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I was going to write this post then but right now little Nixon is asleep and has been for 2 hours. Which means I was able to get all that I was planning on doing during his nap all done (a mother's dream) and so now I have a little extra time! PLUS, I am sure you will get your fair share of Father's Day instagram, Facebook, and blog posts tomorrow. So I thought I would beat everyone to the punch!

Last Father's Day, being a parent was just a dream for Matson and I. I remember him saying so weird that next year at this time I will be a real D-A-D. As I am sure you were looking forward to it, I am sure that you didn't realize how hard it truly would be. So on Father's Day I want to celebrate you, the dad in our family, and all the roles that go along with being a dad that aren't quite glamorous and are  not usually celebrated. But they are very much appreciated.

These last 6 months as a new daddy you have taken on even some new roles like a personal chef. I remember when I was sick and those first couple of months when Nixon was little and what seemed like he was always breastfeeding you would cook me up some meal, which you rarely did before. It has been very much appreciated.

You are the protector. You've always been very protective of the ones you love and I love that about you.

You are the biggest fan. You have wallpapered your desk at work with pictures of Nixon and always bragging about him. I love that you love him and just want to tell everyone about him, without trying to brag TOO much ;).

The cleaner. Every SINGLE night you bathe Nix and he just loves it. I love that you and him have that time to bond with each other. I will be honest, sometimes I get jealous that I hear the two of you giggling in there but I honestly LOVE that you two get to have that time together.

Well I don't wanna make this too long. But since most likely tomorrow, on Father's Day, I may not get to say all these things to you due to nap time, teething, fussiness, or maybe even a blowout, I just want you to know that  I love you and I know that Nixon loves you too. Happy first true Father's Day, Mats! You're not only the best dad, but you are the best person to have at my side as my parenting, adventure, and life partner!

"He must really love his baby."

This week after Nixon's 4 month doctor check up, Matson and I went for a quick lunch before he had to get back to work. We knew it had to be quick so we went to Chick Fil A (probably my favorite fast food restaurant now and I don't usually like fast food). We walked in, ordered, paid, and then Matson went to the table with Nixon while I grabbed our sauces, napkins, and straws. While I was grabbing all that stuff, the older Chick Fil A employee that was refilling the ketchup packets looked at me and said, "He must really love his baby."

I smiled and said, "Oh yes he does."

The woman said back to me, "There is nothing sweeter than a dad who loves his son."

Right after she said that I smiled again, paused, and looked over at Matson who was looking into Nixon's baby car seat trying to get Nixon to smile at him. It really was one of those cheesy "I am the luckiest girl in the world" moments.

Matson really is quite a good dad. He works all day (literally sometimes it is all day long) for us and then he comes home to do even more for us. He plays or takes care of Nixon. He happily eats whatever meal I've prepared (even if it is soup - which he REALLY hates). He works out a second time with me (he goes to the gym early in the morning) because I can't all day. That workout is usually an Insanity workout which he hates probably even more than soup. He bathes Nixon and if you could just hear the giggles and splashing coming from the bathroom you would smile like I do each night. He reads Nixon a bedtime story. Then he spends time with me trying to get me to laugh or watch some silly television show. And he does all that EVERY single day.

Anyway, just had to brag about my hubby for a little bit and share what a stranger said about him. It was so sweet.

Happy 27 to Matson!

Today is my guy's birthday. This is the 6th birthday I have celebrated with him. And I am so incredibly lucky to be the one that gets to celebrate with him.

This morning after feeding little Nixon, I got back into bed to snuggle Matson and I told Matson just that. That I was so lucky to have him. And you know what he responded with? he told me that he was so lucky to have me. I reminded him that it wasn't my birthday. But he didn't care. THAT is why I am so lucky right there. He is so good to me.

As I look back at these 6 years of birthday celebrating...I really am the lucky one. Although we may argue sometimes, get incredibly frustrated with each other, say things we don't mean, and fight about what stupid television show to put on (Don't be surprised if I pull my hair out if I have to watch another episode of Top Gear, Mythbusters, or Family Guy again.), I still love him so much. And at the end of each day he is the one I want, the one I choose, and the one I will never be tired of.  AND I am the one he wants, he chooses, and the one he never tires of.

Well this is my short love letter to Matson on his 27th birthday. I won't bore you with 27 reasons why I love him because he can read those on the 27 sticky notes hidden around our house. Ha. But I will tell you, Matson, in front of all these readers and bloggers that I love you. I love you more than bright yellow flowers, more than Western Family Shark fruit snacks, more than direct heat from a fireplace, more than a Sunday nap, more than anything.

Happy Birthday, Mats! I truly am grateful that you were born and that I am the one that gets to celebrate that with you.

Photo by Teagan Alex

Photo by Teagan Alex

Highlight Reel | August 2013 - May 2014

There is no way that I will ever be able to catch you up on everything that has happened during my blogging hiatus. So instead I am going to do this highlight post (think of it like a highlight reel - but BLOGGING STYLE). WARNING: It might get long and wordy so if you wanna just skip this post, that's all good. I will see you next time!

The last time I blogged was in early August of 2013 so just a quick catch up form then month by month.

August 2013 - Matson and I walked even though we both didn't really finish school until December of 2013. Went to Las Vegas for a quick trip with friends before school started. Best idea ever...it was our last taste of freedom.

September 2013 - I started my very last semester at BYU by teaching at Spring Creek Elementary in Provo School District for 6 weeks. I was in 6th grade which totally sucked (they really do need to wear some deodorant), but I learned so much which was the best. Matson and I also watched some of our favorite little kiddos for the last week in September while their parents went out of town. We had a blast with the kids and even had a "Drive In Movie Night" inside. It was the cutest, the kids loved it, and they literally sat in their cars (made from boxes) the whole movie. Their baby is just the sweetest, happiest, most perfect little baby...I wouldn't mind have a baby just like him! At the very end of the month, I think the last day, I started my student teaching at a school in Nebo School District named Mt. Loafer Elementary. I taught in 4th grade. Best thing ever! I also turned 23!

My last FIRST day of school

Inside Drive In Movie

BEST baby in the world!

October 2013 - We watched another one of our favorite families when their parents went out of town again. We always have a blast with the B* family kiddos. HALLOWEEN. Matson and I were Katniss and Gale (he didn't want to be Peeta...whatever) from The Hunger Games for Halloween. We both love the books and the movies, so we figured it would be fun and easy enough. But the very best was on Halloween for school I dressed up as an old lady. It was one of my best costumes EVER. No one recognized me and my students loved it.

Us (in our Hunger Games costumes) with the B* kiddos at a Halloween Party. 

My attractive Halloween costume. Definitely one of my best yet.

November 2013 - We watched my nanny family kiddos while their parents went out of town (I know we just love watching families, it is the best experience and practice for us).

STUDENT TEACHING/HOW I GOT MY JOB. Anyway, in November I was just sooo busy with my student teaching. I focused so much on them and I was fortunate enough to work with two teachers. One in the morning who taught all literacy and one in the afternoon who taught math, science, and social studies. They both are incredibly strong teachers because they focus on their subjects so I learned from the best of the best for every subject and was able to grow sooo much. In mid November I started looking for jobs that were opening up mid-year. I was mostly looking in Provo School District because that is where all the mid-year job openings were. A neighboring school in Nebo School District was apparently looking for a teacher to take the place of a 4th grade intern teacher who was quitting mid year. The school's facilitator, Leslie, came and watched me teach in my student teaching class and then told me she and the school's principal would love to meet with me! So later that week I met with them and that Friday night I got a call from the principal, Kali, and was offered the job! Matson and I were thrilled. As soon as I found out I got my job, I got right to work. BYU allowed me to end my student teaching early and somewhat graduate a month early kind of. That way I could focus on MY class not, someone else's class. I had lots to do - deciding what my classroom would need, look like, and all that jazz. My mom, Matson, and Leslie were so nice to help me over Thanksgiving Break to set up my class room.

December 2013 - And on December 2nd I started my first day of REAL teaching. I wasn't necessarily nervous, I just wanted the kids to like me. That sounds so nerdy, but honestly I just wanted them to love me and each other. I treated December 2nd like it was the first day of school back in August. The teacher that taught them before me was very different so I started over from scratch in December. Call me nuts, but I had to make sure that I was comfortable in my own classroom and that things would work me for the rest of the year so that the students could succeed. December was also full of fun holiday festivities. We had our annual Christmas party with friends and Mats and I made our best gingerbread house yet! We enjoyed the Christmas season so much and found out on Little Christmas Eve. that my brother and sister in law were pregnant. We were ecstatic! Another niece or nephew (which we now know is a niece!).

January 2014 - We took our nephew, B*, to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. He loved it and we loved taking him there. A good family friend and my dad's father figure throughout his life passed away. We will miss you Warren!

B* on a quest to get T-Rex!

February 2014 - Celebrated Matson's 26th birthday! He is feeling old! At the end of the month, we found out at my brother and sis in law's Gender Reveal party that they are having a girl! So excited for August (maybe late July) to come!

March 2014 - Our good friends from Texas came into town and we got to spend time with them! Matson and my brother's basketball team won the WHOLE city league tournament! It was so intense and fun to watch the games this year. Matson probably gets terribly embarrassed from all my screaming and cheering, but no one is worse than my dad cheering for them.

City League Champions!

April 2014 - We watched the B* family, which was so much fun. We only had the two youngest so we got to spoil them and just play, play, play! After years and even months of trying to convince my grandparents to move down to Utah from Oregon, they finally caved in! I spent my spring break off from school up there helping my mom get them all packed up and ready to move. And after DECADES of living there, there was a lot to got through. (I will write a post more about the move later...lots of funny stories).

Matson and the B* kiddos playing around at the grocery store!

May 2014 - I cut off 12 inches of my hair and donated it to Locks of Love (no tears), had a wonderful Memorial Day with my family and husband, enjoyed the last week of school, and sadly (with tears) said goodbye to my 4th grade class. My class was so sweet and decorated my car on the last day of school and brought me many gifts. Also, 2 minutes before the FINAL bell rang on the LAST day of school one of the boys in my class yelled, "Group Hug!" and my whole class ran into the center of our classroom and hugged each other. It was the sweetest thing and that's when the tears started. Man, I love those kids.

New haircut. So weird to get use to.

My class and I the last week of school.

DONE! Wellp, there you go. That is the best update I could get to you in like 30 minutes of writing!

2nd Wedding Anniversary

Wellp, it has been two years that Matson and I have been married and I know this is mushy and cliche but I love him so much and still consider myself one lucky lady to have gotten a man like Matson who cares so much for me, is so hard working at everything he does, is so kind and giving, and who can make me laugh so hard even when I am completely frustrated with him. It really is something special to marry your best friend, starting your own life together, creating your own little traditions, and truly becoming a family. I've looked back and it's amazing the fun places and things we have experienced and seen together:

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Seattle, Washington

San Juan, Puerto Rico

St. Thomas

Barbados

St. Lucia

St. Kitts

St. Maarten

New York City

Cancun, Mexico

and of course, all over Utah

Here is to many more years full of adventures and love. I love you, Mats! 

That's enough mushy-ness for you all, I am sure.

So...did you know the 2nd Anniversary gift is the "cotton" anniversary year? Which also reminds me of how I do not like cotton balls and I avoid it as much as I can to touch them. Weirdest texture. Hah. I am so random. 

Matson...A Model?

My visiting teaching companion and good friend in our ward is an illustrator/artist. She is very talented and even painted a portrait for one of the elderly woman we visit teach of the woman and her husband who passed away...so precious.

Anyway so a couple weeks ago K* asked me if Matson would be willing to model for her because she needed someone with scruff and large muscles. Check and check...that's Matson all right. She came over and took multiple pictures of him to use for a job she was hired to do. It's for a cover of a video game book (uhhh...did anyone else not know that these such books exist?) and I think it turned out super cool and it is totally Matson even the veins, facial expression and all!

Check out K*'s other work here.

That's a Wrap

A week ago Matson had his last day at Vivint, where he has worked for the last 2 years. It was a great job but we are looking forward to the many things ahead of us. Matson, my brother T*, and their other business partners are focusing more on their new start up company.

My life as a wife of an entrepreneur and all that entails starts now. Living off my small but ok income as a nanny and from some savings as Matson seeks advice and guidance from his business mentors and grows their company oops, I used waaay too many "and's" in that sentence.

T* and Matson

Goodbye Vivint and hello new adventures!

Sports Connection

We went to the Jazz game a couple weeks ago. It was a killer sweet game. Killer sweet? What the heck I speak so weird. (random story: my friend B* and my sis in law N* have realized how I insert the phrase "butt hole" in front of everything. Like "that is butt hole ugly" or "I am butt hole thirsty"...anyway, now they always make fun of me for it. Oh well I will probably still continue to say it and just to point it out to you I will go back and bold and purposefully use it in this post.)

So anyway......back to the real reason for this post. We went to the Jazz Game and had a wonderful time. Thanks to Matson's job at Vivint they awarded him with some box tickets to the game.

He was butt hole excited and not just for the game, but for the box seats and the food and everything. This game fell on a day during finals week, so this was a waaaaaAAAaay nice break from finals. We rushed from parking to get there. I will admit that I didn't mind the nice treatment and ate a butt hole of carrots. I probably ate more carrot sticks than a huge 20 pound rabbit eats in a month during that game and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Matson's game face on while rushing to get to the game.

The game went super long (3 overtimes, it was sweet) and I seriously was into it hard core. I was screaming and cheering and jumping up. It was like a new sporty Erica decided to check in. Matson loved that new Erica and we connected on a whole new level: Sports. It was crazy and I learned a great lesson. Lesson Learned: Get into sports, and not just to get into them to have fun at games but to make the Mister happy.

I do not like the iPhone eyes.

a few things i am loving

Happy Valentine's Day! (Ok..I am like days late here, trust me I know. But Matson and I were super busy on Tuesday and I don't get out of class until 9:30pm then he had a basketball game so it just was not going to happen. And now we are watching a family so our Valentine's Day is Saturday!! Seriously, we can celebrate love any day we want, right?)
Anyway...I love Valentine's and its CHEESINESS.
So I thought I would share a few things I am loving (cheesy or not).


1. Valentine's home decor around our home. And if you know me, then you know that I love to decorate for holidays, birthdays, or anything! Thanks to my mom who decorates like crazy. Only sad thing now is that it has to come down...meaning St. Patty's is going up!

I won this cute heart garland last year off a blog. Cutest garland ever! I love it!

I have one of these cheesy little lights for almost every holiday.
Find here from ShopKo.

Bought last year at Kohl's.

2. This nail color. I have had it since summer but as of late, it has been my go to nail color. It is totally a summer color, but who gives! I paint my nails and venture out to a tan or dark brown or purple, yet in between every single one of those colors I come back to this because I know it looks good and it dries super fast. Yeah, the brush kind of sucks, but I get over it when I only paid like 30 cents for it cheers for me for an actual good couponing purchase. 

Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet. via: Target

3. And these dang good fruit snacks that I got on sale last week at Smith's and bought like 6 boxes. I should not of bought them because I have had like 1 or 2 a day...oops! I guess that's why I go to the gym, so I can indulge in these babies.

4. And last but not least, Matson. Valentine's Day not only marked a day to celebrate love (which I already mentioned, we are celebrating on Saturday), but it also marks exactly 1 year and a half of us being married. I love that we were married on August 14th, because it means that every Valentine's Day is our 6 month marker. So next Valentine's day is 2.5 years, then the next 3.5 years, etc.

I know every wife thinks their hubby is the best and blah blah blah, but seriously Matson is the best, most hard working and loving man. I feel so much love for him, more than anything. I love the days when he just makes me sit/lay down with him and forget about life for just five minutes, and in those five minute breaks from homework, work, and stress I feel so blessed and I feel the same love butterflies that I felt the night we first kissed. I could go on and on about him and how lucky I am to have him...

December 11'. via: Moxie Shots

Our Wedding Day August 10'. via: Moxie Shots

Our First Dance August 14, 2010. via: Moxie Shots

Hope your love day was a great day! 

And for all you wonderful single people out there, don't hate on Valentine's day next year. Look at it as a day to celebrate all kinds of love. The love you have for your mom, your family, yourself, Dr. Pepper (we all know that's Matson's secret second love), or maybe even for a favorite pair of shoes! Celebrate all kinds of love! I am looking forward to our Saturday when we continue to celebrate the love! haha.

His Birthday Celebration

Today is Mr. Matson's 24th Birthday. When someone's birthday is on Sunday or any weekend day really, I feel like you can and should celebrate all weekend long! That's exactly what we did.

Friday

The little girl I nanny and I decorated our whole house. I love decorating for birthdays. Makes it that much more special. She helped me bring all the balloons in and match up a little tag with each of them of things I love about Matson. She also helped me wrap all his birthday gifts...let's just say she used more than a whole thing of Scotch tape. 

The gift H* helped me wrap. So cute?

Am I horrible to let her help? Whatever. It was hilarious.

She just used all my scraps I had...even Christmas wrapping paper.

Friday night after we both got home from work we went and met up with some of our good friends H* & K* at Brick Oven. Matson loves Brick Oven..and it has kind of rubbed off on me. All the time we crave a yummy salad and pasta bar! 

H* & K* were so kind and gave Matson his favorite gift ever. DR. PEPPER.
Seriously. He loves that stuff! 

Brick Oven made him stand on the booth. They said it was a tradition...
bull, never seen anyone do that there. He was embarassed.

After dinner, we went to the movie Man On A Ledge. Good movie, at least I though. Matson thought it was a little predictable. Whatever, still worth going. 

Worst Quality Picture Ever. K*, H*, and Matson at the theater.
Note to Self: Do not take pictures like 5+ feet away with my iPhone.

Matson, my brother T*, and sis in law N*.

Us at the movie.

Saturday

Matson started his day at the LDS Worldwide Leadership Training. When he came home I surprised him with a yummy brunch. We spent the day together, grabbed lunch, and walked around Riverwoods on the nice spring-like afternoon. I had other more active, fun things plans but that was his request...I have a very simple man for a husband-he just wanted to walk around in the nice weather and choose out a little something dirty at a woman's lingerie store (I am blushing).

Played with toys at Blickenstaff's.  

He probably pulled and blowed air at me with this thing like 20 times.
He was wheezing like an old man, he thought it was hilarious to shoot the air at my hair. BOYS...

We then headed up to Lehi to Buffalo Wild Wings. Matson's birthday dinner of choice with my family. The wait was forever long (like 1+ hours), the restaurant was packed, and super hot. BUT anything for the birthday boy. And the boys were all in heaven. Matson got his wings and was loving them. But I think he learned that he doesn't need to order more than 8 next time. He barely ate those 8, and we now have a dozen other wings sitting in our fridge.

So pumped to be finally seated at our table!! Even though only 2 were really looking.

After dinner time we went back to my parent's house for his favorite desserts and present times. Yummy Pizookies and ginger snaps (we both are not big cake people). He got some fun presents from my siblings, my grandparents, and my parents. We played games afterward...PIT was some dang fun. I forgot how much I love that game!

He got golf clubs so he can go play with the boys all summer long! 

Grandma's card. HILARIOUS. Called him Tanner, not Matson.
Then she thought it was his 25th, not 24th birthday. She brings us great laughs.

Matson made away with some good stuff! He is very excited.

Sunday
Earlier today he opened some gifts from me and of course he chose to take a nice long Sunday nap. Now we are at Matson's family house. I obviously have no pictures yet because we have yet to eat his favorite homemade dinner, dessert, and open his gifts. It has been a fun birthday weekend!

I would post all the 24 reasons Why I Love Him that I tied on the balloons that are decorating our house right now, but I will spare you Blog Friends. So instead just a little message to Matson:

Happy Birthday, Matson. I love you so much and am so happy to have you in my life. You make me a much better and stronger person, and I am so lucky to have you! Super happy you were born!