Random Bits of Life.

It was WAY too good to go home and be with family for that glorious week. But now it is all over and I am back at home and back to work.

Highlights of my week:

Getting a real mom-hug.
Doing hair and makeup with my sister.
Crying over the homemade quilt rack that my brother made me.
Seeing my dad at 4 in the morning because he couldn't wait to see me.
Watching my hubby play football with my family. Twice.
Seeing my sweet puppies.
Taking family pictures.
Seeing my cousins.
Going to the temple and seeing my brother-in-law get sealed to my brand new sister-in-law.
Spending time at the farm.
Talking with my mother-in-law and her husband.
Skyping with my dear friend (and new sister) Sarah.
Games with Sammi and John.
Seeing a white donkey. And baby bulls.
Going to the movies twice in two days.
Playing Catch Phrase with all my in-laws.
Family Prayers.
Seeing my grandma and grandpa.
Watching my little 6-year-old cousin run as fast as she could to hug me.
Sitting with my great grandma Josie.

Also,
Steak n' Shake.
Puerto Vallarta.
Ribs.
Burgers.
Gumbo.
Jambalaya.

Worst Parts of my Week:

Not seeing my girl Jessica and her husband, Tyler.
Getting some awful sickness.
Driving home.

All in all, it was a great week at home. I miss all my family already, but I am ready for a new semester with new challenges and new opportunities!

And while we are talking about new opportunities, it's time for an announcement...

I got an internship for next semester with the Department of Child and Family Services!!! I am so excited for the things that I will be able to learn through this experience.

Oh, and...

My sweet husband got a call from Kansas State to schedule an interview for Graduate School! I couldn't be more proud of that guy. All his hard work is paying off.

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In other news,

My wonderful husband and I just passed our one year anniversary two days ago. Time sure flies when you're married to your best friend.

This year has been full of magic, memories, and fun. Everyone always says that the first year is the worst, and maybe that's true, but if it was the worst then I am one lucky girl! My sweet boy has done such a good job of making sure that I am taken care of in all aspects of my life. Spiritually, emotionally, physically, temporally, and mentally. He has encouraged me when I have been afraid, he has held my hand when I have taken leaps of faith, he has been a strength to me when I have felt weak. I am so glad that everything has unfolded the way it has. I sure hit the jackpot when I married this man!

We couldn't celebrate on our anniversary because we were a) sick, and b) stuck somewhere in Kansas. Yesterday was Sunday, and we were still sick, so that means tonight is our big celebration night! I'm sure pictures will come.

PS: Sorry I "guaranteed" pictures from our trip home and didn't take any... Forgive me!

Life.

In an effort to speed-catch you up on life in the Marsee household, here are pictures of all our fun adventures.

The time we went to Coldstone and had the best dark chocolate-peppermint ice cream in the universe.

The time my sister and brother-in-law drove across the country and stopped by to see me. With their dog, Sophie.

When we actually got a good picture together.

When we went to see the lights and this huge tree was REAL.

When I bought caramel candies and he turned it into facial hair.

When we went to see the "Tree of Life" in Draper.

When we got all artsy with this picture.

When we were reunited with our BFFs and took this cute picture on Temple Square.

And when my husband was a really bad photographer, but I liked this picture anyway. 

There's more to come! We leave today (ah!!) to go home, and big things are happening. Mat and Sarah are getting married, Christmas is coming, we get to see my whole family, etc. I guarantee there will be more pictures to come. Happy Thursday, and I'll see you all in about a week.

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is...

singing loud for all to hear.

Or sharing your testimony and a great video about the true meaning of Christmas. So make sure to watch this video that I love so much.

Jesus Christ really is the reason for the season and I am grateful for a time to celebrate His birth. He is the Savior of the world and He truly came to this earth to fulfill that divine mission of the Atonement. I am grateful for the Father's plan and for the Savior's willingness to come here and die for me. Christmastime is full of presents, family, lights, and traditions. But it is my aim this year to not forget the first gift that was given 2,000 years ago. #heisthegift

Look here to see how people are sharing the gift of Jesus Christ this year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Congrats on Surviving Another Semester, and all the other Holiday phrases!

Advice for the Day.

Keep your chin up.

Press forward.

Do what you can.

Don't focus on the bad.

Smile.

On Giving Up.

This semester was hard.

There were (many) times that I didn't think I could get through all that was required of me. I gave up on my homework. I gave up on my Church responsibilities. I gave up on my blog. I gave up on myself.

Well, I have moved past the point of feeling like my efforts aren't worth anything and I have come out of the semester feeling more confident and capable than ever before.

I learned that I do matter.
I learned that my thoughts and opinions are appreciated by those who love me.
I learned that "do or do not, there is no try" is wrong.
I learned that there is such a thing as "A+ for effort".
I learned that mental health (including a good self-esteem) is necessary.
I learned that failure happens to things, not people.
I learned that I can do hard things.

And so much more.

If you struggle to see your worth in any capacity, just turn to the Savior. I woke up one day and realized that I didn't want to be in the place that I was, so I changed it by focusing on what He would have me do, one day at a time. And today, I feel much better about where I am and what I'm doing.

So thank you for not giving up on my blog (or me) even when I did.

Go give someone a compliment today. You never know just how much they might be longing to belong.

Thanksgiving Fun and Such.

Happy December 1!

We truly had a great few days off. I cooked my very first Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all! It was super intimidating, but it turned out great. And let me just say: BRINE YOUR TURKEY. IT IS THE WAY TO GO.

Glad I got that out there. And just in case you didn't know, "brining" is a weird little marination process for your turkey. Here's the recipe I used, just in case you'd like to save it for next year (or if you are a turkey-for-Christmas person). 

Thaw your turkey

Find a cooler, pot, box, etc. that your turkey can be fully submerged in liquid in.

Make sure to change proportions as you need.

1.5 gallons of cool water

1.5 cups of salt

1.5 cups of sugar

thyme

rosemary

garlic powder

Mix everything together.

Let your turkey marinate for 1 hour per pound.

Put a ziploc bag full of ice on top of the turkey so that it won't float up.

In the morning, let your turkey get back to room temperature.

Rinse off all the "extra" seasoning.

Rub olive oil all over the turkey.

Put it in the oven at 325 for 15 minutes per pound = 2 hours for a 12 lb. turkey.

Then cover your pan in foil and let it cook for another hour or so. 

It was so delicious! You won't be disappointed. Promise. And just in case you didn't believe me, here's so photographic evidence of my beautiful turkey.

Okay, so now that that's taken care of, here are some highlights from the rest of my weekend.

When this cute guy I'm married to asked me to go on a date.

When we went to the Temple for our 11 month anniversary (holy cow, it's going fast) and snapped this picture in the car to show off his facial hair to his family.

When we were this excited for our game night with friends.

When it was over and we were this tired.

And of course, when I got to break out this gem of a Christmas CD all day long.

We had SUCH a great break, and now we are just two weeks from the end of the semester. T-minus one week until my sister comes to see me (surprise!), and only three weeks until I'm hoooooome (away from "home") in Indiana. I am so excited!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Oh and thanks for not giving up on my blog even when I did. Post to come on that.