The things they didn't tell me about marriage

Becca's Side

*You may waste a lot of time playing-- I love waking up next to Daniel and I never realized how much fun it could be. I rarely ever get to anything on time any more, because I revel in every minute that I can spend with Daniel.

*It's like having a best friend with you all the time-- never have to worry about what I'm doing, I'm hanging out with Daniel. We play games, act like little kids, plan our menus and our weekly activities.

*It's surprising how little and how much you can know about someone. Daniel and I can tele-communicate some things, like when we're watching a movie or walking around and someone says something that is only funny to the two of us, I can look over at him, see him look back at me and we laugh insanely. And yet, I learn something new about Daniel every day.

*Service is the best way to avoid anger. If I ever feel like I'm being ignored or under appreciated, it really means I have been thinking about myself too much. When I break out of this mindset and start helping others, I usually receive more appreciation anyway.

Daniel's side

*My standard of life improved like 1000%. I no longer have to make my own food, I have someone who cleans up my house, brings me breakfast in bed, drives me to and from school and work, gives me massages, and takes care of the finances and planning.

*Compromise. Sometimes I'm like "I wanna watch Science videos" and she's like "I wanna watch British romantic dramas" and then we watch "Sherlock". Compromise.

*I always have a captive audience. If I want someone who will laugh at my stupid puns, I tell them to Becca. If I want to brag about something cool I just did, Becca will give me a pat on the back. Even if she doesn't want to hear my stories, she has to listen because she's stuck with me for a while.

*It's easy. Everyone always told me how hard it was going to be, that we were going to fight all the time and learn to forgive each other. But I'm married to the best person in the world and we have never had a major argument, when we communicate it makes it even easier.

Happy 5 Months of blissful marriage!

The first picture together

Taken 2 months into dating

The night that Daniel proposed to me

Sky diving- because I wanted to do something crazy and Daniel is just supportive.

From our trip to Oregon

The Pipkin Monsters

Time for some vacation

Daniel and I recently went to Lagoon, thanks to NuSkin. The last time that I went to an amusement park was when I was 14 and so it was nice to go again. I remembered though that the reason I haven't gone to an amusement park is because I hate long lines, not a huge fan of amusement park food, and I'm terrified of heights. I didn't let any of this stop me from having a great time though, I ate the most unhealthy burger with baked bean paste (although I couldn't bring myself to finish my potato salad glob) and I rode almost every single ride in the park. Surprisingly, the one that was most terrifying was the ski lift that goes from one end of the park to the next (you could easily just slip out from under the railings AND they would stop indefinitely while you were dangling a hundred feet above everyone's heads, I almost peed my pants).

Daniel cleverly positioned my head onto the "o"

Daniel the hunchback

Yes, this was a kid's ride, but it looked SO cool at night

Not really that terrifying..

Family Time

I forgot that I had these photos hanging around, I was going to add some from the Labor Day visit that Jon made, but I never actually took any.

Daniel scaling up a sheer rock surface

It took Jon like 10 minutes before he could get that second leg up

Rocks are attractive...

Louis in a beautiful meadow up on Mt. Timp

Pretty lake up on top of a mountain

the Dream of the 90's

Daniel, Anna, Louis, Mom and I traveled to Vancouver/Portland this past weekend. All summer long I have been living off the fact that we would be able to go on a vacation before school started. We visited with Josh and Katie, as well as some cousins and a friend of mine. It was great fun.

I got to carry Vivienne. Check out that baby.

We went on a hike up to the top of this waterfall. It's called Multnomah falls. Last time we went  was a few (like 6) years ago. My mom kept saying it would take us all day. We were to the top and back in 45 minutes.

Daniel was squishing my head previous to this snapshot.

This is how I support my husband.

We went to a rose garden. Left to right, back: Hunter, Becca, Daniel, Louis; front: Mama, Anna, McKay, Katie, Vivienne (the baby)

Daniel has a cutie face

Daniel at the rose garden with some man in a hat.

Sushi is delicious. So delicious that Daniel has it conveyed directly into his mouth.

I just use my chopsticks.

At Powell's bookstore, it's a massive place and as you can see, Daniel is awe struck. I  happened upon some great Korean kids books here for pretty cheap, so Daniel and I can brush up on our Korean!

I thought this was priceless.

This is a group text that my mom attempted to send to me. Anna was on a paddle boat and had lent my mom her phone and during that time I had tried to call. I guess this explains why no one ever picked up, I particularly like the second recipient in this group text.

Celebration

Proud of my Olympic rings

  

rubber band arhcery

foam basketball shotput

 In celebration of the London Olympics, we hosted a bit of Office Olympics. Every agent selected a country, then participated in one of three sporting events, and now the scores are being tallied.


I am also working with the Karen in Salt Lake still and met with some great families recently.

Daniel and I have had a lot of fun -- visiting Salt Lake, stopping by IKEA, driving to the moon, and so much more.

Playing Around

Don't let my appearance deceive you, I'm really only 8 years old on the inside. Which is why I was so excited and surprised by the 8-bit art displays on campus and the yoda plush pillow in Target. If they made Star Wars bedsheets in King size, Daniel would have seriously purchased them.

I wanted to bring her home with me

Taller than Daniel!

petting the wildlife

Fortunate Circumstances

7-11 Man

Tradition, that's what 7-11 free slurpie day is all about. I had almost completely forgotten about it, however, until my coworker came into work and announced it. So I hoped on my bike and headed down to get my free piece of tradition (along with 711 other people who were all standing outside the joint.)

how fortunate

Thursday Daniel and I decided to act cool and take public transportation up to the U of U where we had a great lunch with his sister, Sarah. I felt super lucky when I got a fortune cookie that announced I would be "showered with luck" the next day. Little did I know that I should be careful what I wished  for.

Pipkins believe in safety

public transit is hot

Friday the 13th was a lucky day--- bad luck. It was raining on my way home from work and as I was on the last leg of the journey, I got hit by a car while I was crossing the street. Miraculously I was okay, not even a scratch or bruise or anything. My bike, on the other hand, did not come out with such good results.

Thankfully the man who hit me was very responsible, and so hopefully his insurance will pay for the damages that were accrued on my bike. Also, this helpful officer helped me take my bike home.




Then on Sunday we got to go visit some of Daniel's mission friends as we went to his mission president's home coming.