Our Epic Introduction

Okay, so don't be too shocked!!  Yes, this is me, and I am officially BLOGGING! I'm still just trying to figure the basics out, so it might be a little "interesting", but I'm excited for the adventure. Steve is excited, too! ;)

I guess I should begin with a brief introduction. It was our beloved missions in Taiwan (2006-2009) that brought a handsome, adventurous, sky diving, four-wheeling, loves to run/work out, ambitious, movie loving, goal making and hitting, fun loving, country fan who always dreamed of being a real cowboy-- to marry me, a classical pianist, reader, thinker, loves to talk and enjoy a nice quiet dinner. Yes, we could be considered real opposites, but it sure felt like we had found our match when we fell in love. It took Steve bringing his cute little girlfriend to see me a couple of days after I got home (because a friend, Elder Evans, who was staying with him at the time wanted to), to realize he might actually like me. A few months later (July 2009) we went on our first date - boating under fireworks :) WITH Steve's whole family (apparently he knew I'd be brave enough to meet the family on the first date). It was quite magical, and though I thought Steve might never call back since it was obvious we were from very different backgrounds, he did, and it wasn't too hard for him to quickly win my heart over. Some of our first dates were 4-wheeling in American Fork Canyon, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert, an amazing Utah Symphony concert in Park City with Mike and Jenet (an experience we'll always treasure!), camping with my family in Scofield, a rodeo, Beth VanDam's baptism, and much more. Those exciting dates were all topped off when Steve took me sky diving in September, and proposed with a banner as I was falling from the sky that said, "Marry Me Shirley?" He had jumped before I did and had prepared a beautiful bouquet of 2 dozen roses with my ring. It was all pretty much perfect. It was definitely Steve's style of proposal! :)

I can't think of a more incredible feeling than when we were in the sealing room of the Salt Lake Temple just a few short months later on November 20, 2009. We were so blessed to be surrounded by so many we love, and were given beautiful words of instruction from our sealer that we will always treasure. I will always remember the realization that after all the work and money and time and stress etc... that had gone into planning all of the other events (reception, wedding dinner, honeymoon etc.) nothing could even come close to comparing to the feelings inside that beautiful, simple room...and it didn't cost a single penny, didn't require any silly stress, just required worthiness!! Isn't that how the gospel is?! What a beautiful blessing!

Well, our first year of marriage was filled with lots of wonderful and learning experiences. I knew before I married Steve that life would always be on the move, and I haven't been disappointed yet. Major events of our first year include: endless hours of studying the LSAT, taking the LSAT, my Graduate Recital, a miscarriage, completing my classes for my Master's degree, taking the LSAT again, my final huge oral exams, completing LOTS of law school applications, and a whole bunch of fun learning in between. It definitely wasn't stress free, but we're thankful we were blessed to do it all, and hopefully we're a lot stronger for it. A few highlights were welcoming home President and Sister Hoer (we love them!), a trip to California when we found out we were pregnant again! :), my graduation, getting a miracle score on the LSAT, and miraculously getting into BYU! During all of this, a huge blessing was living in Mom and Dad's basement where we were constantly blessed by there wisdom, love, and care. We will forever treasure our time there!

Proposal

Honeymoon

Zion National Park

Goblin Valley Jacob Family Reunion

California Trip

The greatest highlight to follow was the arrival of our "little buddy", William James. Life has never slowed down since! We are more and more in love with him, and I'm always trying to sneak in a little sleep... Now he is nearing 18 months old, walking, laughing just for fun a lot!, saying "no, no" while he shakes his hand and continues to do the thing he knows he shouldn't, running around getting into everything possible and finding whatever destruction he can cause, throwing occasional tempers when he bangs his own head against the wall or floor :(, and simply being an incredible light and joy in our lives every day. We never could have imagined how much joy, laughter, work, stress, and perspective our sweet little boy would give us.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

This Summer we are in Oregon doing ADT sales, and loving the beautiful nature surrounding us. We have loved going to the beach, eating great food at food carts, voodoo donuts, salt and straw ice cream parlor, Multnomah Falls, Punch Bowl Falls, Tillamook Cheese Factory, swimming in our pool and sitting in the hot tub for a few moments after Steve gets home late from work. We have especially loved opportunities to share the gospel, wonderful members in the ward, opportunities to serve short-term as the choir accompanist and assistant secretary in the RS. We've also learned a lot about organic and natural foods and what it means to really "go green!" We've thoroughly enjoyed our time here as a family, and have loved living in the mission field. We'll miss it, but are excited to start our BYU Law School experience in just a few weeks.... WHHHAAAAATTT?! Crazy! There are definitely more wonderful, exciting, and growing experiences ahead, and we can't wait!! Steve helps me enjoy each day by always making me laugh, being a really cute dad as he is TOTALLY in love with his little boy, and always bringing some kind of adventure into any dull moment. He's convinced I'm going to run a marathon with him one of these days. Maybe I'll surprise him....some day! :) Life truly is beautiful, and we're excited to keep a record of great moments through our little blog! Until next time...

Cannon Beach, Oregon

The Washenko Clan