Finding Beauty in Chaos...

Wow, it has been a pretty hectic few days. There have been a lot of stressful things going on in the LeFoll house. Mostly with the management of Stonebrook apartments. All I'm really going to say is, I hope that we get things figured out soon because my nerves ... and my temper can't take much more. Needless to say, I've been on edge for the past few days. However, a crisp morning walk opened my eyes to some of the beauties around me. You could say that I "stopped and smelled the roses." One of the best things about living in the place we are now, is that when you walk out the door you can see the Rexburg, Idaho Temple. It's beautiful and today seeing it surrounded by all of the gorgeous snow, I was grateful to have one of God's temple's so close to my home.

The other thing I noticed this morning was how beauiful the trees are. They are stripped of all greenery, but the twisting branches and the deep brown of the wood have their own beauty.

Just noticing these small things have helped me to calm down and realize that everything is in God's hands. Everything happens in God's time and all we can do is have faith. No matter how cold the weather gets, there is always beauty around us.

New Year...2011

Happy New Year! As I think back on 2010, I am happy to say I have no regrets. It has been a good year.

In January I finished High school and was accepted into BYU-Idaho. At that time, I was also working at a darling little cafe in Norway and was able to save up a TON of money for myself.

In April I started school and met the love of my life, Zack Lefoll. We dated for all of 3 weeks before deciding we were perfect for each other.

In June, specifically June 29th, Zack and I got married. Yes we eloped, but it was right for us and even now I don't regret making that choice. I'm looking forward to being sealed for time and all eternity in 2011.

In August I moved to Sheldonville, Massachusetts where Zack and I lived with his Nana. To me, it was the perfect start to our marriage. We worked, saved money and learned how to love each other with everything we had. Of course it took a few fights, tears, and advice but we got through it and are now closer than ever.

In October our good friends Anja and Patrick came to see us and we had a WONDERFUL 5 days exploring Boston, New York, and Salem. It was the perfect ending to our stay in Massachusetts and needless to say I fell in love with the East Coast and plan on living there one day. *fingers crossed*

In November, Zack and I made the 5 day drive back to Rexburg, Idaho. On the way we had the privilage of stopping to see Palmyra, the Hill Cumorah the Sacred Grove, and Nauvoo. It was amazing to learn about all of that Church History. November also brought us THANKSGIVING! Our very first one together. We spent it with our family (Rachel and John) and a few good friends.

In December, We drove down to Colorado to see my family (who just moved back from Norway). We spent Christmas with them and had very enjoyable 3 weeks decorating, organizing, building and spending time together.

2010 was also the year I straightened my life out and finally started putting the past behind me.... I am so excited for 2011. It is a chance for a fresh start. I'm ready for all of the challenges that will come my way and know that no matter what happens, it always turns out right in the end. I'm ready for new friends, a new home, new projects, and a new life. CHEERS to this magnificent new year! I hope it is filled with nothing but wonderful things!

**i promise to be better at this blogging thing**

Happy Christmas!

Things that are good:

 Flannel Pajama Pants

Sparking cider and Chocolate Turtles

The song "Noel" by Josh Groban

Wrapping paper all over the floor

Wearing sweats all day

Naptime cuddling

Wrapping presents by Christmas tree light

Humming at night

Christmas goodies

Getting texts from good friends

Watching "7 Brides for 7 Brothers"

Finding cool new blogs

Imagining where I'm going to put all of my new things

Finding that perfect present

Laughing with my Mom

Sanding old things to make them look new

Netflix

Being Mrs. LeFoll
 
HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS NEW YEAR!

Old Sturbridge Village...

During our last few weeks on the East Coast, Zack and I decided to do some travelling. One of the places we decided to go was Old Sturbridge Village. It was about a 3 hour car ride from where we were living. Old Sturbridge Village is a living museum located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. It re-creates life in rural New England during the 1790s through 1830s (the Romantic Period). It is the largest living museum in New England, covering more than 200 acres.... We didn't get to see everything, but we did get to see some of their biggest attractions.



All of the buildings are built like they were in the 1700's. There is no electricity, no plumbing, and no modern kitchens. Actors are hired for a few months out of the year to come to Sturbridge Village and live like our ancestors did. They dress the same way, talk the same way, and eat the same way. It was fun to see all the live-stock walking around. We even saw turkeys! Man, those things are ugly.

Since this is a museum, huts and houses are not the only things you can see. We went into the gun exhibit, saw glass being blown, learned how to make your very own broom, watched a Newspaper being printed (it takes AGES just to get ONE page done!), and even got some old fashioned candy at the general store...

After all of that, we got into a giant carraige and we were taken up to where the Blacksmith and Saw Mill was. Those two were probably my favorites... they were so fun to watch!

The lake where they get all of their water...
The Blacksmith was making a pot hook when we came in. He pretty much finished it while we were standing there. It made me so grateful for Walmart...

The Saw Mill. They use the energy from the river to power a giant saw in the mill that cuts HUGE tree trunks into boards they can use for building. I got videos of that below.

One Last Family Get-Together...

In these few pics, Zack and I went to one last family get-together before we came back to Rexburg. It was fun meeting together with my new extended family for a good meal at one of the restraunts they have been going to for years. It is called Shady Acres and they have AMAZING breakfasts. I fell in love with my new family and am so excited to see them again! I'm a lucky girl.

I got this funny little video. Nothing important is in it, but I got all of the family in it.

New England Autumn

While we were on the East Coast, I had the privilage to experience a New England Fall. People travel from all over to see it, and now I know why. The trees are absolutely spectacular! Being from Colorado, I've seen the aspen yellows, but I've never seen the reds, oranges, yellows, and purples all in one clump of trees. Every time we drove somewhere I felt like I was in a dream. It made me want to drink apple cider and eat pumpkin muffins.
Zack and I decided one day to go out and take pictures of the beautiful fall leaves. The pictures speak for themselves... ENJOY!

yes.... we are wierd... but i LOVE IT!

One of the roads we went down...

The reservoir. It was much prettier for me because the hills in the distance were all different colors... you can't see that in this picture.

This is my dream house... i love it. It was so quaint and fun and yellow. Every time we passed it in the car, I told zack that I wanted him to buy it for me later in life so I could turn it into a Bed and Breakfast...

Along side my dream house, there was this barn. It is HUGE and just full of character. My plan was to have a B&B and then turn this amazing barn into a restaurant. A swanky place where the food is amazing, the service is perfect, and there is dancing.... it would be the swankiest place in town!

The color on the leaves are fantastic!

This tree was beautiful! It was a magnificant Orange...

Hope you enjoyed the Fall colors and trees. I hope you all can go to New England in the Fall time... You won't regret it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEE!!!!!

My 19th Birthday was AWESOME! I just have to say that I have the best Husband in the world... I do.... it's true. Let me tell you why:
Sadly I had to work most of the day, but my instructions were to come home from work and get myself all pretty. So I did. When Zack came home he was dressed in his church suit and was holding a HUGE bouquet of daisies. Every kind of daisy you could think of was in that bouquet. There were also 3 roses... I had to put it into two vases because there were so many flowers.

After that wonderful suprise (I only say suprise because he never buys me flowers) we went out to dinner. It was an authentic Italian restaurant that was half outside and half in. Our servers name was Giovanni and sounded like he was straight off the boat. We ordered Fliet Mignon with potatoes and gravy (the BEST gravy I've ever had in my life) and fresh veggies. There was also warm bread and garlic oil to dip.
Oh! I also got a Pina Colada... virgin of course, which is my favorite!

After dinner we walked to a dessert cafe. It was the CUTEST thing. Reminded me of all the fun European cafe's I've been to. We got a dark chocolate torte with fresh raspberry syrup and whipped cream. TO DIE FOR!
...Well, after all of this yummy food, Zack took me to the movies. We went and saw Despicable Me, which is now one of our favorite movies.

Ok, now for the best part of my birthday. My biggest suprise was..... are you holding your breathe?.... the TOBY KEITH AND TRACE ADKINS CONCERT!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!! That was the following Saturday night, and man did we have a BLAST!

My Pretty Flowers! Sorry it's so blurry... my camera isn't the best.

At the Concert!

LOOK AT ALL THOSE PEOPLE!!!!!

My handsome man

SO CUTE!