spring in DC

this time of year always makes me reminiscent. 3 years ago we were packing up our provo apartment, graduating from college, leaving jobs, friends and family behind and trekking to dc with hopes of something great on the other end. 3 years ago steve & i were about to embark on the best thing that has ever happened to us. there's something about taking a leap of faith and leaving the only state you've ever known with nothing but your personal belongings and your best friend in hopes that something better is coming. of course we had plan B in case this whole adventure didn't work out but neither of us spent much time entertaining it because we so badly wanted plan A to work. not a single day goes by that i'm not grateful that our plan worked out in such a seamless way. we couldn't have planned these past 3 years better if we tried. this doesn't mean that everything is perfect because there are still things about this place that kick my butt everyday (whyyyyyy is it so far away from family?), but it means that this year, unlike every other anniversary of us moving to dc, i hope we stay here for a while. i finally feel like dc is my home and that i could really see another 10, 15 or even 30 years here (no matter how ridiculous the real estate market is). 3 years ago i never thought i would utter those words.

hello again!

it has been too long since i last posted. it's been a fun and busy winter. loads of snow, lots of basketball and even more work. welcome to the pierce family! we spent the holidays in nashville and utah with family then returned to DC to dive into our 2014 goals and resolutions. every year we try to instill a theme or phrase in our home. 2013 was the year of trying new things, and try we did! i tackled watercolor classes, lots of new recipes, a new approach to healthy eating, new work out routines and new colors into my wardrobe (hello, black). steve took on a new job, a new approach to traveling to new places (the introvert in him is a bigger fan of the familiar), first time on the radio to talk about byu basketball and trying new-to-him vegetables. we decided our 2014 phrase would be "not every hill is worth dying on" - which is more for me than steve, but we are both working to keep the bigger picture in mind at home, at work and in life in general. it's be very positive so far. oh how i love new years and new goals.

in january steve started his last 2 classes for his masters degree. i think he's been counting down till graduation since the beginning and i'm so proud of him that he is almost done and that means no more tuition. oh that's been hard to fork over a lot of money every semester for the past few years, but i'm very grateful that we've been able to do it on our own, debt free. graduation on may 17th can't come soon enough!

in february we met up with our best friends in philly for presidents day. we had the best time and just learned that they are moving to baltimore this summer, we can't wait to have them closer to dc! we also visited friends in charlottesville and ate the best chinese food ever.

at the end of february steve spent a few days in baltimore for his company retreat. while he was somehow singing karoke with the owner of the Orioles at a dive bar i traveled to utah for one of my best girlfriends weddings. rachel was the happiest bride i've ever seen! she was beautiful and the day was perfect and her new husband seems like the greatest. it was such a fun weekend to be apart of.

   march was filled with snow days, girl scout cookies and steve's birthday. he wanted to watch the ncaa tournament and eat fajitas and pie for his birthday so that is exactly what we did. we took the day off work and had a basketball watching marathon weekend. 

we are looking forward to a fun spring and summer with  lots of traveling and time with family!

this is what we call "steve works past 8pm and his work pays for dinner"