One year down, eternity to go

I know, I know. I am super late (not even a week yet, but still). We have been super busy with school and work that the weeks seem to be passing by so fast. However, last Friday, the 19th, we celebrated our one year anniversary! On our anniversary both of us had to work. boo. But when I got off Brad told me he didn't have to go back to work. I came home to a clean house because Brad knows how much I love that. I also had fresh flowers in a vase on the table and two cards throughout the house (one funny and one romantic). I got dressed for our nice dinner out. After we got done with dinner we headed to the lake to meet one of our friends to take some pictures for us! We finished just in time, as we were headed to the car it started to pour rain. Perfect ending to the perfect day! (Bear with me, it's about to get mushy...but I'll make it quick)

Dear Brad,
I can't believe how fast the time flies! It really is true that time flies when you are having fun. This year has been full of ups and downs and lots of new places for us, places that we have been able to discover together and I love that, places that will bring back memories. We've experienced things that I can't wait to tell our future children all about. You have made it possible for me to cross things of my bucket list, and I hope together we can cross off more in the years to come! I have learned a lot in this past year about you and myself. Things I would have only learned in this exact situation. I'm so grateful to be married to you, Brad. I know I can always count on you to be here for me which is such a blessing. You go above and beyond for me on a daily basis and for that I'm so thankful. But above all I am so grateful that we were married in the Temple and that I can be with you for eternity, what an incredible blessing! I can't imagine my life without you, and luckily I don't have to! I can't wait to see what this next year holds for us! Here's to eternity!




One Year Anniversary from Brett Schmidt on Vimeo.
Now all we have to do is finish this week and then we are off to Isla Mujeres for a few days to celebrate our anniversary! To say I'm excited would be an understatement! Hope everyone has a happy hump day!

Oh and of course you want to see our anniversary pictures (okay maybe not, but here they are anyways!)
 

"God Shows His Love By Giving Us Families"

This past week the baby sister came to visit me. Although it was a spur of the moment trip I'm so glad she came! Since I've been so homesick lately it was a nice little pick me up especially since I would have been sitting at home all by myself all week! While she was here we just had to go visit all the church history sites. So on Tuesday we headed to Palmyra, NY which is only about 45 minutes from our apartment. Within the first 15 minutes of the drive I felt like I had got stung on my arm and it was swelling and turning red, I look down and see a yellow jacket just chilling on my chest like its no big deal. Of course I start freaking out, so we pull over to a gas station, and Colby took care of me. Thank goodness she was there. Anyways...off topic sorry.

So the first thing we did was the Joseph Smith Farm. I had already been once before but it was still just as fun and uplifting as it was the first time. I liked how each tour guide tells their favorite stories about the history of the Joseph Smith Farm. Both times had totally different stories and I definitely learned new things. After we finished touring the Farm we went in the Sacred Grove. However, we didn't stay in there as long as I thought we would because the mosquitoes are bad because of all the rain we've been getting and since I had been stung by a yellow jacket earlier and Colby has hives due to an allergic reaction we decided it was best to not stay out too long.

After we finished up there we went and walked around the Palmyra Temple Grounds. It reminds we a lot of the Birmingham Temple where Brad and I were sealed (almost a year ago!) Then we were off to the LDS Bookstore (so I could get a picture of Christ for our apartment). After we got the picture we walked to go get pizza at this little whole in the wall pizza place, it was seriously the best pizza and it really hit the spot. Then of course we had to go get some ice cream and it was in this cute little shop that was run by elderly people. And let me tell you something Colby and I LOVE talking with elderly people, we probably could have stayed there all day. However, we had so much to do still.

Hill Cumorah was next. Although pageant is this upcoming weekend I still wanted to go and take Colby especially since I hadn't gone yet. We walked into the Visitors Center and I immediately could feel the spirit. We had a sister missionary take us around and we sat in front of the Christus Statue. I teared up a little but I held it in. It wasn't until we were taken into the theater to watch a short clip about how families are forever that I completely lost it.

I really wish I could find a link to that video because although it is so simple it is so beautiful. There were so many parts that the spirit was so strong in that room. The one part that stuck out to me was "God shows His love by giving us families." See I told you it was simple but yet this simple phrase spoke wonders to me. Our loving Heavenly Father knew what He was doing. He knew how much we would need our families for their love and support as we go through this test of life on Earth. We had families in Heaven before so why wouldn't we have them here. It may be because like I mentioned before I have been so homesick but I am just so grateful that my Heavenly Father loved and cared about me so much that He sent me to a wonderful family here on Earth that I know I can always count on to love and support me. After the video ended Colby and I drove to the top of the hill and had a wonderful heart to heart. I'm so grateful that we were able to go on a spiritually uplifting trip for the day.

Thanks for coming to visit me, Colby! Hopefully the North didn't treat you too bad!

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day Weekend is here so of course I have to talk about my Faddah!

I'm not sure why I call him that, but I like it and I personally think he likes it too.

My dad is an awesome man and an even better dad. Let me tell you what, he made the BEST girl dad. Some of my greatest memories of him are when he lets us girls play beauty shop on him. He let us put bows in his hair and even paint his toe nails. What a trooper!

My dad has taught me many things and I am grateful that he took time out of his day and schedule to always put all of his girls at the top of his priority list. There are times I think back on when my dad was both working and going back to school and he still made sure that all of his ladies were taken care of and that we all knew how much he loved us.

I know my dad would do anything in order to provide for and protect his family. He is a great example of the qualities I wanted in a husband and a father figure for my own children (and I got so lucky). I am so thankful that he showed me how important it is to have a worthy priesthood holder. I have received so many blessings from the priesthood and I am glad my dad made sure that we knew that we never had to hesitate asking for a blessing.  

I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for sending me to such a tender hearted and loving Daddy. I am beyond grateful for the love and support that he continually gives me!

Happy Father's Day, Faddah! 

I love you! 

Every Love Story Is Beautiful

I've had a lot on my mind lately. The biggest one is how much I love married life (not the fairy tale married life that every girl dreams of) but OUR married life. Is it always easy well no not really, but it's ALWAYS worth it. One of the biggest things that my parents taught me is how important marriage and family are.

The past few days I have felt so in love with Brad and with our marriage. I am not sure if it's because next month we will be celebrating ONE YEAR or if I'm just now becoming more aware of how much I love the little things that makes us...well US. We are still in the newlywed stage and I want to take advantage of this time in our life.

I have a confession though, I am always comparing the things we do to the things that other newlywed bloggers do. I know they say "Comparison is the thief of joy" and lately this has screamed to be so true to me.

Do we do something fun and exciting every weekend, not at all. Do we do the cute stuff that girls see all over Pinterest boards, no. (Do I try? YES. haha) We do however manage to have a good time every weekend whether that is going to the temple, a festival downtown, or simply just staying home and relaxing. There is nothing I love more than the simple things that make our marriage seem magical like the way Brad always holds my hand as we say our nightly prayer, or the way he will come and slow dance with me when I've had a rough day and just need to be held.

Although things at our house have been a little crazy lately there is nothing more comforting than knowing
that we can turn to our Heavenly Father for His loving guidance. We are trusting in Him and I know that He has the perfect plan for us, no matter what that plan is, I know it will be an amazing journey.

 

Birthday Shout Out to Faddah

Today is Faddah's birthday! I remember growing up never getting to celebrate his birthday with him on his actual birthday because us girls were always at girls camp. And sadly I don't get to be there again! So I hope today that Mo and Colby shower him with love! I'm so grateful to be this man's daughter. My daddy has the most tender heart of anyone I know. He sacrifices so much to provide for us. I'm grateful that he holds the priesthood and makes sure to be worthy of it at all times. There have been many times where I have been sick or nervous and I never hesitated to ask for a blessing. I will never forget the good times we had during our daddy daughter date nights and our personal interview chats! He makes sure we know what to do in order to get by on our own...and let's be honest the guys at the car shop were pretty impressed I knew how to change and rotate tires and I owe that all to this man!

Happy Birthday Faddah

Love 

Your Brettly

FAMILY

I think it must be because I just spent a week in Georgia with all of my family there but today I have been feeling really grateful for the family that I am blessed to call mine. Are we perfect...no, not at all. In fact we have been through some really hard times together. But I wouldn't trade those hard times for anything. They have taught me how important family is and that if you don't stick together life will be really hard and tough. You will feel lonely and like you have no one to turn to. I am so blessed to have such a supportive family that has always shown their love for me {although at the time I may not have seen it that way}. Each member of my family plays such an important role in our family dynamics.

Everyone meet Mo and Faddah

They make a cute pair, huh?! I sure think so, I'm thankful for genetics to say the least. My mom and dad are the best! I know everyone says that but mine really are. They are the best example of Christ like love that I know. They love us no matter what and make sure we know it daily. They love us for who we are and what we can become. They see our full potential and do everything they can to help us get there. They are our number one cheerleaders. They are also best friends who love when we love and who hurt when we hurt. They have taught us that family is always supposed to be there for each other even when its hard. Seeing them take their roles as Honey and Dude {their grandma and grandpa names} when my niece was born last September has made me love them even more. Their love for little Zoe radiates just as much as it does for us girls. They have so much love in their hearts. I hope to one day be the mom that my mom is for me. She is my best friend and I truly treasure that relationship. My dad showed me what qualities to look for in a husband and I really appreciate his wisdom and tender heart.

Meet the Brinkerhoff Clan

This is my older sister, Afton, her husband Gregg, and darling baby Zoe. First confession: I have ALWAYS coveted Afton's voice. She has the voice of an angel and I loved growing up hearing her sing, plus she is a lovely piano player. Afton also has the perfect complexion, something I have been and always will be super jealous of. She is an elegant woman, like a timeless beauty. She is a wonderful mom to little Zoe. Gregg is an awesome brother in law. He is quick and witty and a excellent dad to his daughter and loves my sister so much. He does everything he can for their little family, and we all appreciate that he takes care of two girls we love.  Zoe has blessed our family in so many ways. She has brought us closer together and she is our little ray of sunshine. She is the prettiest baby I have ever seen and she has such a happy spirit.

Here is the baby sister

Everyone this is Colby. Possibly one of the sweetest girls I know. This girl is beautiful inside and out. Her heart is SO big. She always sticks up for the underdog, and won't let anyone get bullied or bashed. She is so smart and beautiful. She has the longest legs in our family and I am so jealous of them, she has my dream body...and her eyelashes are to die for. She is a great aunt to baby Zoe. I know she has so much potential in this life and I can't wait to see her accomplish everything that is in store for her!

And last but not least

This handsome man is my husband! I feel so blessed to be his wifey. He makes me so happy. He is such a hard worker and such a tender hearted boy. He is kind to everyone even when I feel like half the time they don't deserve it. This boy has overcome so much and I know how much he has to offer. I can't wait to see what our future holds!

I am so blessed to have THIS family and to have the knowledge that I can be with them forever. I am trying to become a better daughter, sister, and wife and I am so grateful to have these people by my side to encourage me and help me along the way. I love you all so very much!

There's No Place Like Home

Sorry I have been a little MIA on the blog lately. Last week we headed down to good ole Georgia for the baby sisters high school graduation! I had such a great time and really got to see a lot of my family that I hadn't seen in what feels like forever.

Monday morning we got in and first stop was Chickfila. Never has a chicken biscuit tasted so good. After our Chickfila run we stopped by my parents house so that I could say hello {it's hard knowing that you are so close to your family but you can't spend time with them}. The thing about both of our families living so close is that we have to make sure that time is spent at each place. So the beginning of the week we spent at Brad's side of the family and the end of the week with mine!

On Tuesday morning we went to the aquarium with Brad's relatives. We saw lots of fishes and other sea animals. I was impressed with how great of a job Atlanta did on the aquarium but I probably wouldn't go again, basically it an "I can say I've gone to the Georgia Aquarium" kind of thing.After the aquarium I headed to get my hair done, that was interesting to say the least.

On Wednesday I went to the Braves game with my family! It was so fun to just hangout, catch up, and watch some baseball. I remember many times going as a family to Braves games during the summer! Colby would always ask for dippin dots and I would always go for the frozen lemonade! Later that evening we met up with Adam and Ashley {our friends who set us up} for dinner and then just caught up on whats going on in our lives.

Thursday morning we headed over to my parents for the rest of the week. It was so fun to see everyone who had come for Colby's graduation. Everyone was there and it's been awhile since that has happened! Thursday evening we had foil dinners and dutch oven lasagna. It was so delicious and of course we ended the evening with peep s'mores!

Friday was the big graduation day! Colby graduated with honors and it couldn't have been a more perfect ceremony. It was short and we were blessed with amazing weather. They even played banjo music which was PERFECT for Colby. After the ceremony we all got back to the house and she opened cards and we ate cookie cake!

Saturday we drove up to Canton to go to my cousin, Dallin's graduation. After the graduation we headed back to the house to eat {cafe rio style}. After dinner we headed to the lake to take family pictures since everyone was in town.

Sunday was church day. It's always weird to me to go back to that ward. I'm not sure why it just is. There have been a lot of new families to move into the ward but other than that it's pretty much the same. Once we got home it was lunch, naps, and then good ole wackee six. I seriously LOVE that game but I am not as good at it as I once was. {womp womp}.

Monday and Tuesday Brad and I headed to the beach. I am a beach lover for life and wish I could live there {maybe one day}. It kind of felt like a mini honeymoon. It was so fun to stroll down the beach and the little beach town hand in hand. It was also nice to have sand and waves in front of our faces instead of piles of snow for a change.

I am so grateful that we were able to go to Georgia for Colby's graduation and that my whole family was able to be there. It is so fun to see the different stages of life that everyone is going through. Words cannot describe how thankful  I am that families are forever. I know we may not always get a long and see eye to eye but I know that each one of us loves one another more than anything in this world and would do anything to make sure that we are all happy and healthy. I love my family and I am grateful that I get to be with them for eternity!