Happy 24th Ryan

Ryan thinks he's officially an old man now that he's turned 24 {gosh, he's already got one foot in the grave at this ripe age}.

To celebrate, I took the day off and spent all day with Ryan.  We got Sushi with Paige and Eric and then went to see the Hunger Games on IMAX.  We kept it pretty simple and low key, but it was just a fun day and stressless--which was really needed.

Ryan's presents weren't a surprise unfortunately because of Paige's inability to lie and Eric's pestering of receipt reading {I hid my receipt with hers thinking Ryan wouldn't find it...good idea yet bad choice}.  But I ended up getting him a gift card to Cabela's to get fishing gear and then I got him some tee shirts that he desperately needed.

Sunday night we had a mini birthday celebration and invited all of our friends over for yummy goodies and cake.  The cake was FANTASTIC...not trying to toot my own horn or anything.  I used Ryan's Mama's recipe for his favorite apple cake which is amazingly yummy, however I changed it a bit by using 2 9in rounds to bake it in and frosting it with a caramel buttercream frosting.  Results: it just so happens that it got even yummier {we didn't think that was even possible).

I wish I had remembered to take pictures...I'm still kicking myself....

Whistle While You Work

Life has been treating me very well lately, so basically that means God has blessed us {tremendously}.

A few months ago when I was getting ready to graduate, I was having a HUGE nervous break down thinking that I had no hard skills and that I'd be unhappy working at a boring desk job for the rest of my life and wondering why the heck I even went to school.  Luckily, that has all changed and I no longer worry about stupid things because I know that as long as I'm trying my hardest to do what I'm supposed to do, God will always help me find happiness.

First, I have an internship at the Springville Museum of Art and I LOVE it!  I'm working within the curatorial realm so I get to help set up exhibits, inventory, and do condition reports on all the wonderful art pieces.  I'm really learning a lot and enjoy my mentors and staff.  It's truly a very happy place to spend my time.

I don't know why but I'm in love with this painting by Nicholas Britsky.  One day I will own one of his pieces...{one day}.

New Americans (1974) oil on board by Nicholas Britsky

And secondly, I got the manager position at the Flower Basket Boutique!  The current manager is pregnant and leaving in May so I've been training with her and will take over as manager once she leaves.  It is an ADORABLE little boutique that primarily sells flower arrangements, but also sells jewelry/accessories, imported European candies, clothes and random little home goods.  Some days it's super hectic and busy but overall it's a good stress level and I throughly feel fulfilled everyday I go in.  One day, I hope to start my own floral shop when Ryan and I get more settled and find a permanent home.  We'll probably stay in Utah for another year or so and then see where his career takes him.