Chances Are What We Make Them.

Hello again! I'm just starting to get back in to the swing of things. Blogging? What is that? It's been almost nonexistent for me lately, but I did kind of miss it. We've had a great opportunity the last couple of months to just slow down and enjoy life. I think every person should have a chance to do that once in a while. It gives perspective, time for pondering (who does that anymore, really?) time for planning, and much-needed prioritizing. Ha, I so did not plan them to be all "p" words. Perspective, pondering, planning, and prioritizing. We did a lot of those this summer.

Back in May, Franco and I were living at my parent's house in a small room downstairs, I was working full-time, Franco graduated with his double bachelor's degrees, we had lots to do and lots of family and friends around.

Now, a little over two months later, we're in a one-bedroom apartment in a city we'd never heard of before we moved here, surrounded by people we don't know, I'm working from home (or trying to), and Franco just started his 4-year stint at optometry school. Needless to say we were feeling a bit like fish out of water.

But here's where slowing down and enjoying life comes into play. We had three glorious weeks since moving here where we simply did whatever we felt like doing whenever we felt like doing it. Sleep in? Yeah! Watch a movie together on a weekday in the middle of the day? Sure! Visit Ikea twice in one week? Yes, please! We also attended two temples within 45 minutes from our home, Redlands and Newport Beach and even visited family one weekend. Never did doing nothing feel so wonderful. I didn't feel rushed for one second.

I hope I don't sound like I'm gloating because that's not my intention at all. Actually, we planned for it to go this way months in advance. We knew optometry school was going to change our lives and bring with it stress, anxiety, and those elusive curve balls you just can't expect. And, not surprisingly, it has already, just two days in. 

But it's okay. We're okay. You know what keeps us going? Knowing that this is where we're supposed to be, doing what we're supposed to be doing. Sincere prayer will do that for you, I promise. Most of all, it is knowing that we are not alone through all of this. If we ask for help, it will always, always come. Guaranteed. And who said you can't guarantee happiness?

Here are a few snapshots of some of the things we did together this summer.

"Oh, you know, new school, new babe pool..."
{Sorry. Couldn't resist a quote from She's The Man!}

Trying to get an even tan...unsuccessfully.

Concert in the park--One Hot Mess, an 80's band
Yes, they have those here, too!

First time visiting the Redlands LDS temple. It only took us 45 minutes to get there.