Well this has slowly become a tradition! What began as a last minute decision three years ago (year 1, 2, 3) has now turned into one of our Halloween musts. It was definitely more crowded this year than in years past, but that's okay because the bread bowls are just as good, and our dance routine has improved significantly.

The older I get, the more convinced I am that I only need a few things in life to be happy. Great girlfriends are one of them.

fall break and an early thanksgiving.

All those years with no spring break, and it was finally redeemed last weekend! Redeemed with Harry Potter movie marathons, way too much football (I don't think I can watch one more football game this season), shopping, stuffed french toast, and late night conversations that carried on through the morning. I told Max on our drive home from Park City that I will never complain about not having a spring break for all those years again. Fall break takes the cake in my book!

And on a kind-of related side note: Max and I comment on it often, but we've really felt so blessed lately. There are a million things that have just fallen into place so perfectly, it's undeniable that this past year has unraveled just the way it was supposed to. That's not to say that 2013 hasn't been insane... because it has. We started this year with so many unanswered questions and tentative plans, all of which are worth two or three or four posts of its own. It really wasn't until last week that I was finally able to step back and almost like connect-the-dots, see for myself how it all perfectly fell into place.

A big thank you to the friends and family who have been so supportive along the way. It's a wonderful thing when you can consider the people you surround yourself with the sort of people who make you feel "like a million bucks" and who also make you want to be better at the same time because they're just that good to begin with. You know who you are. It's not even November, but it feels like Thanksgiving to me.

be careful, strive to be happy.

We used to hang a sign with the famous words, Keep Calm, Carry On on the back of our front door in our dorm when I was a freshman in college. We would joke that it was the only thing that got us through finals week ... and some really bad first dates. Now if there was only some way I could shorten Desiderata (but really, all of it's so good) I feel like it's some of my favorite bits of advice and it's worth reading again and again and again and again (or at least every morning when I walk out the door.)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be careful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann

october

This fall has brought a new routine, new jobs for us both (... can we pause for just a moment so I can express how much happier life is when you have a job that you love) and on top of new jobs, new classes for Max, and new furniture for me (I would have never believed there would come a day I would like shopping for furniture more than clothes!) And last but not least, the new season of fall which has won me over with its changing leaves and cozy sweatshirts and caramel hazelnut steamers.  I think I've already stopped by Starbucks three times in the last two weeks because they are just so good. Some of these pictures above were taken a few weeks ago on our "first unofficial day of fall" which helped me get over summer, just a little bit :)

In other news: Max & I are both wearing face masks right now. Yes, I convinced Max to try it with me when I told him his skin will glow after fifteen minutes (the box said so). We look like ghosts and I told him we should do the same thing on Halloween, except he said no, probably not.

We also just booked a cabin for the weekend in Park City, which has me counting down the hours -- not only to get away, but to be under the same roof with a group of friends for more than just an hour at Red Robin. The only thing I don't like about growing up is when it takes a month to see some of your best friends again because everyone is busy, busy, busy.

And last but not least: this past weekend was so great. For those of you who tuned into General Conference, I think that this was my favorite talk.

There is so much more to say, of course, but it's 10 PM and Max and I need to watch an episode of Modern Family and talk ourselves to sleep. Wishing anyone who reads this neglected blog anymore a happy fall day, wherever that may be.