life.

( I wrote this a couple of weeks ago... sorry it's just getting posted now!)

Hey guys! so again this week, I've had a lot going on and instead of turning to new goals to turn to, I've just decided to keep working on my goal from last week. I figured this is ok because technically I was shooting to do more than one thing every day. I'm proud to say though that I'm still staying on track with them though so yay! They are well on their way to becoming habits! I did miss my workout monday but that was ONLY because Steven let my workout clothes sit in the wash for a couple of days... and then when I re did the load, he forgot to put them into the dryer while I was at work... and we had company coming later that night. but, I got back on it last night ANDDDDDD, after my workout, I weighed myself and realized I have dropped 6 pounds :) Now granted, I think our scale at home is off, and that hasn't all been lost in this last week. But it has been lost since I first started trying to watch my diet and gradually ease into working out again. I smiled the whole way home from the gym. I already had 1 marble in my jar from my efforts last week but throwing in an additional 5 was so satisfying :) i may be getting a little addicted.
Not only am I getting into the whole exercise thing, but I've been faithfully reading my scriptures every day which always makes such a difference (especially when it's how you start your day). I feel like I've been a lot more in tune with what Heavenly Father wants for me right now as I've had a lot of questions on my mind regarding the not too far future. I've also felt more receptive to the blessings he lays before me on a daily basis and that has been such a sweet reminder of his love for us as well as a needed dose of perspective in this crazy life.
Truly though, life is good guys. It really is so much about growth. It doesn't matter who you are, what your background is, or what you believe, if you are not progressing in this life, what else is there? I understand the idea that we're here to live it up, and we should! But what kind of a life is it if you leave this world no better than you came into it? Having left no imprint on individuals you've spent your time with?
That being said, Steven and I have really been trying to be extra thoughtful of each other recently. Partially because we forget sometimes that we're supposed to be doing that always :) also though, because we are coming up on our 1 year anniversary!! and this week in particular is Steven's birthday so lots to celebrate! I'm so excited because I got him something he's been saying for months that he wanted. He has no idea what I picked out for him though and it's driving him a little nuts as he can't stand the suspense of surprises :) it's great. We were also planning on seeing the new batman movie but unfortunately we couldn't get good tickets until next week. I have the 24th off though for Pioneer Day so I reserved tickets at the imax theatre at matinee price- heck yeah!
For those of you who are not familiar with Pioneer Day, it's a state wide holiday in Utah that we hold to celebrate our pioneer heritage and their trek across the country back in the day. It's a wonderful thing. I'll enjoy my day off :)

hope you all are having a wonderful week! any fun plans for the weekend?? Or for Pioneer Day, if you celebrate it?

<3 K

busy busy busy

well it's been quite a while since we've had an update on here and it's about time! life is wonderful, crazy, and never a bore. being married to your best friend is a great adventure. you don't think you have more to learn about eachother until you live together, then boy do you learn! there are times when you have to stretch yourself, rise above your habitual ways, and really take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture. not that marriage is a trial, it's not :) but if you plan to learn and grow together you have to be willing to actually do so. nhat may mean some discomfort, perhaps some arguing, and maybe a slight feeling of insanity of times. BUT this is all good for us. not to mention all the simple joys that come from married life, it's just overall a great deal. now, words of wisdom aside, here is what is new with the Shepherds! the wedding was great and the reception was such a kick butt party! Of course small details fell through but it was too late for anyone to really care and spending the night with family and friends was priceless. the next day steven and I left for Vegas where we flew out to cabo san lucas, MEXICO! our resort was right on the beach and it was gorgeous!! I will forever wish to wake up to the sound of waves outside my window. my favorite thing we did there was snorkeling (although I did swallow some salt water in the process). SO awesome. poor steven got sick while we were there though so we spent a decent amount of time aroung the resort. we still squoze in time for horseback riding, massages, and a dinner cruise though, yay!

well eventually the honeymoon ended and the reality of real life sunk back in as classes started up again. while the apartment came together fairly nicely as we got settled, it just hasn't been a great fit for us and we decided to look for someplace closer to school and work, in a student complex, and with a dishwasher :) and we found one! so, we will be moving in the beginning of december. oh, and did I mention we can paint the walls WHATEVER color we'd like? double bonus.

besides the big stuff, I crashed our scooter last week and am currently recovering. in reality I didn't get it too bad but my right let did get pretty banged up and some of the cuts are getting infected so thursday the doctor gets to check that one out. but no broken bones or serious trauma so i'll take that as a win.

Steven is working hard to wrap up his midterms this week and then we might get to relax for a weekend until my second round of exams starts up. sometimes it feels like we just run non stop until christmas. speaking of which I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR!!! not sure if it's just that it's our first round of them together as old married people or if its because it means visiting everyone i miss and love. in a few weeks, we'll be flying to Colorado for my sister-in-law's wedding so we'll get to see all of Steven's family. Then thanksgiving in st. george with mom, the boys, and lots of grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. then christmas in nevada with daddy-o then off to Portland for a friend's wedding!

so a book and a half later, here we are, decently up to date, just getting to the good stuff <3