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From Our Front Porch Looking In

It's the last few minutes of 2012, and I'm having a hard time (surprise, surprise, alyssa is freaking out over change). A hard time saying goodbye (to the year).

This year, we became a family. Some of the best moments of my life, occurred in 2012.

So, I'm holding on to the last few seconds. Remembering. Cherishing. And at the same time, Anxiously looking forward to 2013. I mean, if it's half as good as 2012, we're in for a real treat.

Bring it on, 2013. We can't wait.




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I have quite a few friends that are playing the dating game; single, and dating.
They always ask me, "How's married life?"
or
"What's the best thing about marriage?"
or
"Is it hard?"

So, I thought I'd share a little about us.
I turned it into 50 facts about us.




1. He is from a small town in Idaho.
2. She is also from a small town in Idaho (though it is a little bigger than his).
3. They met while attending Brigham Young University - Idaho.
4. He likes numbers, finance, and Excel.
5. She dreams of having something, anything, she wrote published.
6. He likes to snowboard.
7. She likes to be warm. and tan.
8. They were married in the LDS Temple in Manti, Utah.
9. He wishes she'd squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom of the tube.
10. She can't sit still during a movie.
11. He likes her to sit still during movies. and cuddle with him.
12. She's scared of the dark.
13. His closet (and drawers) will always be more organized than hers.
14. He loves ESPN.
15. She loves Food Network.
16. Their first date was to his brother's football game.
17. He held her hand that night.
18. She gets really grumpy when she is hungry.
19. She also gets really grumpy when she is tired.
20. He never gets grumpy.
21. He can't sleep while wearing socks.
22. She eats all the seeds in her watermelon, simply because she is too lazy to pick them out.
23. He loves to camp.
24. She hates it. (camping, she hates camping)
25. Their first kiss was outside her apartment door. In the cold.
26. They still hold hands a lot.
27. She's kind of a stress case.
28. He's very, very calm. and composed.
29. He makes her laugh a lot.
30. He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Financial Economics.
31. She speaks her mind. no matter how foolish it makes her look.
32. Nothing makes her happier than getting her hair done. And a new tube of mascara.
33. His happiest is when there are E.L. Fudge, and Nutella in the pantry. And orange juice in the fridge.
34. She likes to cook.
35. He humors her.
36. He's trustworthy and loyal.
37. When someone wrongs him in anyway, she wants to find that person - and punch them.
38. They both love Star Wars.
39. And Harry Potter, they both love.
40. He tells her she's pretty (even when she knows she's not).
41. When she found out she was pregnant (unexpectedly) he was ecstatic from the moment he heard the news. It reassured her.
42. He teared up the first time he felt the baby kick.
43. The moment he felt the baby kick, she saw his excitement, and fell eternally more in love with him.
44. And then she saw him hold the baby, and fell more in love (though she didn't think it was possible).
45. She insists on their baby wearing bows. and pink. a lot. He humors her without complaining.
46. She loves when he gets home from work.
47. They like to talk, and dream, about their future.
48. They hope for more children in the future.
49. He loves her. And she loves him.

50. They are different. But complimentary. It makes their marriage work. It isn't always easy; sometimes it's hard, in fact. But it is mostly fun, and so worth it. Always worth it.

I believe I married well out of my league. I've heard Dustin say that he feels he married out of his league. I think that's the key. We both push each other to be better (we also both push one another's buttons from time to time...). We both have different strengths and weaknesses. We compromise. And somehow we balance. Don't get me wrong - we fight. And we disagree. But we balance.

I'll just say, I look forward to everyday. Waking up next to your best friend everyday is the best feeling you'll ever know. I promise.
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Our 2012 Christmas festivities were relaxing and completely enjoyable. 
The addition of Lady. A. to the family holiday had us looking forward to even the simplest aspects of the celebrations.


As Harrison tradition has it, we lined up outside the front room (where santa had made his appearance) youngest to oldest. Also following tradition, Santa left behind a table full of Christmas goodies and fruits of all kinds. We were all spoiled by our family and Santa combined. 

Abby's temperament demanded a nap as soon as the presents were beginning to be unwrapped. Good timing, right? But actually, it worked out well - Abby got her own little show a little later. She showed off by slobbering on every piece of wrapping paper and throwing aside the present as soon as it was opened.Why we bothered to purchase actual gifts for the little lady, I'll never know. She was far more content with the cardboard and paper surrounding the present. Oh, and she's quickly learning how to hoist herself up onto...well, anything. 

Dustin and I exchanged gifts too (obviously) and he even managed to surprise me. Something both of us admittedly thought impossible. I'll be putting my new Rachael Ray bakeware (something i've begged for repeatedly; oh the life of a stay-at-home-mom) to work later this afternoon with some of Mom Ackerman's banana bread. 

We got to talk to Elder Ackerman (and sadly missed sister ackerman) in the afternoon via Skype. 
Dustin and I were treated to an extra long afternoon nap, while Lady got spoiled with attention. 











We are already looking forward to next Christmas. 
Merry Christmas to all!
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Because D. has been working really long hours, we did a preview of Christmas day in our area (my in-laws are incredibly flexible and so gracious to travel to see us and spend the weekend in our little apartment). 
We shopped, ate some great food (way too many sweets - my mom-in-law makes the best christmas candy), and exchanged presents. 
We were so, so spoiled (as always)!

I'm pretty sure the highlight for Lexi was the One Direction doll (Harry, to be exact) a.k.a. her true love. 
Aunt Hailey gave it to her - cementing her place as the favorite aunt.


 Abby is taking Christmas to a whole new level for Dustin and I. 
We are soaking in every moment. 
She can hardly contain her excitement with the wrapping paper and bows. 
I mean, I've been keeping that stuff restricted for the last month and now she has free reign. 


 Why we even bothered purchasing gifts for her, I'll never know.


 Thanks again to the family for containing Lady A. during church (sans a binky - always a disaster waiting to happen)!

 After lacking a decent vacuum for a year and a half, Dustin and I were ecstatic to receive a great vacuum along with this hand held (oh the lame things that excite a parent).
We immediately put Abby to work.


The gifts were awesome, but the company was out of this world (ahem - corny much, Alyssa?)!
Now to work off the countless sugar cookies I inhaled - it was worth it, right?
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So, Christmas is coming to a close (at least around our house, we retire early now that dustin-and abby by default-get up in the wee hours of the morning). 
I have re caps of all of the festivities (for those who are, i'm sure, sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for the newest overload of pictures of our lady...),

But, today was our first baby's first Christmas.
So I'm just going to talk about that. 

She was especially spoiled rotten. 
She love it every minute (mostly just the wrapping paper, chaos, and ribbon), even though she was still battling a cold. She ate it up even through the snot running down her face. 
We did have to pause her present opening for a couple of hours due to her ginormous need for a nap. 

I tried so hard to soak in every moment. 


To our baby,
Merry first Christmas.
Last year on Christmas we went to sleep speculating about the changes you would bring to our lives. Now, we can't imagine life without you. We wouldn't have it any other way. You're the biggest and best gift we've received.
We can't wait for all the Christmases yet to come. 

PS: you gave us the best present today. though you woke up incredibly early, you sat quietly in your bed and waited for us to wake up. Amazing. 
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Merry Christmas from the Ackerman house where this time last year Dustin and I dreamed of the baby girl expected to arrive in the spring and graduation for Dustin at the end of summer. Now our days are filled with a curious baby on the move, dirty diapers, and a full time job. We love every minute of it! We hope this finds all of you nearing the end of your Christmas shopping, relaxed, and focusing on the Spirit of Christmas. 
This year has been incredibly exciting and eventful around our house. We would love to share a few of the highlights with you.
In anticipation of the new baby girl soon to enter the family, in the first few months of 2012 Dustin and I spent much of our time shopping for strollers, car seats, and all things girl – while juggling full time work and school schedules, residing in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Shortly after I made the transition from working at an OB/GYN office to working in the home full-time, Abby Lynn made us a family of three (on May 15th) and immediately captured our hearts. Abby has been a complete angel from the moment she entered the world. She is a calm and mellow baby, but full of personality. She has us laughing constantly; we are amazed everyday at how much she changes and grows. 
Summertime kept us on our toes; full of weddings, reunions, birthdays, and mission farewells, Dustin still managed to tackle his last semester at BYU-Idaho and work as a Junior Analyst for a venture capital company while I adjusted to life with a baby.
Dustin graduated from BYU-Idaho with his hard-earned Bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics at the end of July. Job searching following graduation proved to be quite the feat; after countless hours of applications and interviews, Dustin took a temporary job working as an Analyst for Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was recently offered, and accepted, a full time Analyst position at The Royal Bank of Scotland (also in Salt Lake City). He is hardworking and always busy; we are so grateful and excited for the new career opportunity and the doors it will open.
We are trying to soak in every moment we get to spend with each other, enthralled with little Abby (watching her discover the world is priceless), and looking forward - excited for what the future holds.
We are blessed continually and are most grateful for our knowledge of the gospel and that our family is forever. May your Christmas be merry and bright.
Love to all!
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I love Christmas Sunday. 

This year Dustin and I were asked to speak in sacrament meeting (luckily family was here to wrestle watch lady during the meeting so we could sit on the stand in peace - thanks family!). 
Sunday mornings always seem to be a mad rush for the door, and this week was no exception. 
Abby has a nasty head cold (you know, the kind that there's not enough kleenex in the world to keep up with the never ending runny nose) and insisted on being awake telling us about it half the night. Dustin and I were frantically working on talks at the last minute.  

Luckily Abby was clothed in her Christmas dress (minus shoes - a minor set back compared to the possibilities of disasters that could have presented themselves), Dustin and I were presentable. And we were on time. 
Triple threat. 

ANYWAY, 

Merry Christmas Sunday from the Ackermans!


We snapped a quick picture on Abby's first Christmas Sunday (sad, puffy-eyed, snotty nose and all). 

(ps, yes, our tree is apartment sized - thus the tree decor growing out of all sides of my head.)
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Two years ago, this fall/winter my best friend was engaged and D. and I were dating. 
We made the trip from BYU-I to visit the said best friend, Tanya and fiance, Eric to double up on a date with them to Temple Square. 
(that weekend tanya said to me: "you're going to marry dustin. i know it." really, she said that. if anyone else would like their future foretold, i'm sure her fee is minimal.)
Two years ago
Last weekend, per Tanya's initiation, we did the same thing (though the trip was much easier). 
Both couples are now married and both with a baby girl in tow. (babies who are required to be best friends)
Though it was noticeably more difficult to run into people with maneuver and lug around strollers (which i'm pretty sure both babies sat in for a maximum of five minutes), and try to mute Lady's screaming at the end of the night - we really enjoyed our evening. 

We hung out at City Creek Center for awhile, ate some dinner, then wandered over to Temple Square. 
I love Temple Square.
Lady will, in time, I'm sure. (or maybe in the summertime...)


Here's to bonds of friendship that can hold strong through the ever-changing life. 
PS: thanks for envisioning such a great future for me, Tan. 

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Sometimes, I'm a grump. Alright, confession, I'm a grump a lot. For no reason other than the one about me being a woman. I rationalize it away, once sanity kicks in once again, saying: I had a headache, I didn't get to sleep the night before, I was hungry (i'm incredibly mean when i am hungry...'hangry'), PMS, or Lady A. was especially difficult that day. And every time I'm a grump I always vow to myself that it will not happen again.

Wrong.

But, here's the thing. My husband is never a grump. Ever. He is hardworking, has a heart of gold, and never says what is on his mind without thinking about it first. He is smart and sophisticated. He love kids, and he looks forward to spending time with Lady every single day (side note: last night she was in bed by the time he got home from work, he was so, so bummed). He is easy going, and has learned to form opinions when he knows I want them (i.e. what should abby wear? what do you want for dinner?) even if he doesn't necessarily have an opinion. When something matters to me, it goes straight to the top of his priority list.

When D. and I were dating slash got engaged, people warned me: "Make sure you see him in different situations." "Watch how he treats his mom, now." "Sometimes people change after they get married..." "Make sure you've seen him really angry." (side note again: when d. and i were dating, his bank account got hacked. literally, as he's watching money drain from his account, he slams his hand on the steering wheel - and then went silent. later, he apologized to me for getting so angry. i laughed. i thought, angry? that's my calm...)

Remember when I wrote about D. here and here when we were brand new? Yep. He hasn't changed a bit. He still opens my car door (most of the time, the only times he doesn't is when it's freezing and i refuse, selfishly, not to get in the warm car rather than wait for him to put abby in and then walk around to open my door). He carries my bag, the baby, the groceries, my book...anything. He is always, always happy to see me (even at my grumpiest). He compliments my food (even when i made tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner on sunday night).

He's still the nice, perfect boy I married.


So, to my husband, in spite of my grumpiness (accompanied by pathetic excuses) I still know you're great. I don't acknowledge it enough, but know that I do know it. MmmKay? Thanks for being so good. 

love. 
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Lady A. and I have settled into a comfortable routine here in our new home. She is on an awesome nap and sleep schedule (thanks to the slight nudging of a certain Julie...), she is loving food, can entertain herself (I do have to stand guard near the Christmas tree) for short periods of time. D. is working a lot. A lot. And it looks like the work load is only going to increase in the near future.

Thus, I've finally been able to catch my breath once in awhile and pick up on my reading again. And I do love to read.

A little while ago I finished reading, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." {i recommended it to myself, after reading  about a friend reading it (follow that?). thanks ali!}

I finished reading it while D. and I were laying in bed one night. My reaction went something like this, "Hmmm..." and again, "Hmmm..." and a few more times after that. And then I sighed a whole lot more. 

I loved it. I highly recommend it. I cried. And sometimes I smiled. I couldn't really relate to Francie Nolan's struggles in life. But, she is an ordinary, awkward girl trying to make a place in the world. 

My favorite quote from the book {i re read this over and over again}:

“Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere - be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost.” 
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Don't you love that?

{i love book suggestions. hint. hint. i'll read anything with words.}

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My family comes from Michigan. {Ann Arbor area}.
Dustin's family comes from Ohio. 

The rivalry is inevitable. 
{i may or may not talk more fight than i actually put up - that's the fun of it, right?}

Abby will be raised a Michigan fan. 
My husband is forced. Proudly, forced.

Every year the football game between the two teams is excitingly the weekend of Thanksgiving. 
But, this was our first year watching the game with D's family. 
It was a good game to watch. 
I will acknowledge Ohio won. 
But, that's as far as I'll go. 



Our family of three proudly sported maize and blue. 
Lady A. looked especially adorable. 

Next year the true victors will be triumphant. 
Hail! Hail! 
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So, Lady A. got sick last week in the middle of the week. 
I knew she was fussy, running a low grade fever, and extra clingy. 
I assumed teeth (i keep assuming that). 
She had thrown up that morning and hadn't really wanted to eat - but I blamed it on the fever. 
We went to trusty Wal*Mart and grabbed some teething tablets for the babe, and Mama's own medicine (see rear of cart for specific details). 

She looked like this:

I took her home. 
She took an extra long nap, and woke up equally, if not more fussy.  
As we tried to go to bed that night she refused to sleep in her own bed. 
Daddy took pity on her sad story (i would every night if it was up to me...bad habits die hard) and she was welcomed into our bed.
Where she promptly vomited on our sheets. 

We changed them, and loved on the now moaning/tossing and turning baby girl. 
A few minutes later came more vomit. 

Long story short, we kicked Daddy out of bed and made him sleep in the extra room since he had to be up and to work in only a few short hours. 
Little Lady and I didn't sleep a wink. 
We made a jaunt around the towns surrounding ours, trying in desperation to find an Urgent Care that was open  (siri lies...really, she does) since the poor babe had a fever of 102 now. 
And she hadn't peed in about 12 hours. 


After a night of attempting to snuggle the sickly child and listening to her fuss and moan - always followed by vomit, I had a call into our pediatrician. We arrived at the office - where her (absolutely amazing) doctor took a urine sample (via straight catheter - i felt for her)  and sent us to the hospital for I.V. fluids and antibiotics. 



Dustin left work early to be there. Though not an emergency, I'm grateful for a spouse who views things like this as a big deal. Regardless of what I tell him. Such a good papa. 

Did I mention I hate the E.R.? 
Well, I do. And their doctors and staff. 
I mean, really, do they have to be so ignorant and rude that it makes getting an I.V. a big ordeal?

Abby was a sport. I didn't handle it nearly was well as she. 
My heart broke a little every time she would gag, or cry, or get poked.
They gave her fluids, pumped in the antibiotics, and some anti nausea and almost instantly we were on the mend. 

The next day we returned again to the office where we were told our poor lady had a UTI turned nasty kidney infection. Apparently infections like this are not uncommon in baby girls. 
Man, it sucks being a girl right from the beginning. 

And this was the next day, post nap and her first food that actually stayed where it was supposed to:

that. face. priceless.

We fought with the pharmacies all around the area, since apparently our insurance wouldn't cover the antibiotics we were to give her at home. 
So, now, we fight with insurance companies (and battle psychotic agents). 

I kept telling D. that this wouldn't have been a stressful thing for me - if it was happening to me. 
But, it wasn't happening to me. 
It was happening to my baby. 
And that takes things to a whole new level.

We sure are grateful for modern medicine. 
And especially for a healthy baby girl - and that ailments like this are the worst we've had to face thus far.
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I've said a million times before, and I plan to say it countless times again - we are so, so, so, so lucky to have families from the same area/valley/farming community (whatever you want to call it).
We are also lucky enough to live relatively close to both families. 
Thus -- 
We get to see both families during the holidays. 
Realistically, though, they don't care to see Dustin or me much. They just want to gobble up time with the baby. I can't say I blame them. 
Since Thanksgiving this year was with the Ackermans, we spent the day after with my family. 

It too was incredibly relaxing. 
Dustin and I hit up the day after sales (mid morning, no early rising for us this year), we ate way too much (again), talked, laughed, watched a movie, Sydney expertly trained us all in CPR, and played a rousing game of dodge ball (quickly becoming a tradition). 
{side note: the first time dustin met the harrisons, it was over thanksgiving weekend. that weekend we also went to the school gym and played dodge ball. it's a known fact that he was welcomed into the family with open arms after he laughed, before coming to my aid, at the bloody nose i received from my dad nailing me in the face with a dodge ball. and yes, my family is cruel and they encourage the same in others, apparently.}




Did I mention Abby got to meet Pippin for the first time? 
I'm sure they are going to be bosom buddies very soon. 






Oh, the memories. 

And, yes, I am as awful a dodge ball player as you're imagining. 
The family gets quite the laugh out of it. 
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I adore Thanksgiving. 
The food (it's no secret how much I love food), the family, the leftovers, the secrets that are bound to surface when you are over filled with turkey and tired.
I love it all. 

This year was no different.
Our Thanksgiving was relaxing and completely enjoyable.
I am so lucky to have been born into a wonderful family, and now to have married into an equally amazing family. So blessed. 

My love for the holiday was only heightened knowing that it was Abby's first. 
My feelings of gratitude were overwhelming. 







Two years ago, at Thanksgiving, Dustin met my family for the first time. 
A year and a half ago, we were married. 
A year ago, again at Thanksgiving, we announced to our families that were were expecting Miss Abby. 
Six months ago that angel entered our lives, and made us a family of three. 

Like I said, overwhelmed with gratitude. 
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The past week was horribly long. 
You know those kind? The ones you look back on and sigh with exhaustion. 
And then you turn your head forward and see only vomit soaked laundry and dirty dishes? 
That's how the last week has been. 
Complete with screaming insurance representatives and a trip to the hospital. 
Yuck. 

I think we can see the end, though. 

So, tonight, I'm going to drink an extra large Diet Coke. Take some Advil. Try to get rid of my headache. 
And go to bed. 

But first, I leave a picture of Lady A. 
Sitting Indian-style. 
In a diaper. 
Watching the Christmas Devotional last night. 

It's moments like that that make it all worth it.  
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About Me

Hi! I'm Alyssa, the voice of this blog. I'm a passionate homebody, lover of Diet Coke, good books, and laughing until I cry.

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