Valentine's Day 2015

Hunter and I are going on 7 years of knowing each other.

Of those 7 years, this is the first Valentine's Day that we have spent together.

In high school there was either a basketball game we had to be at or it was on a school night and just not that big of a deal.

Then he served his mission and that's two more years apart.

Last year we were engaged but I was in San Diego and he was in Utah.

So, it was sooo much fun to finally be able to spend this day of love together :)

We really didn't plan much being that our little one is due any day now, but it was still the most perfect day.

Hunter woke up early, as always, but let me sleep in a little longer.

He did homework, unloaded the dishwasher, and went to go help someone move.

When I woke up I saw a white board with a little message from my Valentine and it made me giggle and smile because he's such a sweetie.

I then found a rose and some reeses! He knows the way to my heart ;)

It was the fist time I have ever gotten a flower on Valentine's Day and I felt so giddy.

I made a huge brunch for Hunter because food is his favorite gift and wrote him a sappy card.

We then went for a nice long walk and snuggled.

Around 5 we decided to head out to grab something to eat.

A yummy pizza place in the mall was doing a Valentine's buy one get one free special. 

It was delish and cheap ;)

We then walked around the mall and every single store we went in, was for children.

Ha! But, it was so much fun looking at the little clothes and Hunter admitted that little girl clothes are so much more fun and cute than boy clothes haha

Dessert was coldstone ice cream, and we finished the night by watching the notebook in comfy clothes with a big bowl of popcorn and my mascara dripping down my face because seriously... I forgot how sad that movie is at the end!

It was a low key day and so perfect and special to both of us.

We love celebrating holidays and really enjoyed our first Valentine's Day together :)

And to my Valentine this year and every year after:

I love you Moore than anything in the world and I could not have chosen anyone better to spend eternity with. You are my better half and my very best friend. I'll love you always and forever :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Our 2014 Christmas Card

Merry Belated Christmas to everyone!

We spent about 3 weeks traveling from coast to coast then back to Utah.

It was a long time to be away, but it was definitely much needed!

Because we left in the middle of the month, I knew I needed to get our Christmas cards out ASAP.

I had made a fake Christmas card of Hunter and I each year he was on his mission because I just couldn't wait to send out a real one of the two of us!

Christmas cards have always made me so so happy. 

I love getting them in the mail and seeing the way everyone's families have grown, what they have done over the year, and the creativity people put into them. 

I was quite proud of myself for designing our card this year and I think I'll continue to do so every year to make it unique. 

I also love that Christmas cards force you to take family pictures ha. 

So... here is the 2014 Moore family Christmas card :)

ps... postage is ridiculous :(

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Nostalgia

Last night the wives got to decorate the locker room for the senior football game this afternoon. 

I brought my balloons, streamers, and poster board and walked into the lavell Edwards stadium locker room for the first time. 

A million memories came flooding back to me as I had done this all of high school for Hunter as well. 

Of course these lockers are bigger, nicer, and more official. Oh, and it didn't smell half as bad as the high school locker room! 

But... It brought back the exact same feelings of excitement and pride for our team, and love and adoration for Hunter. 

I've loved watching him play all these years and I'm so grateful it didn't end in high school. 

I stood back and looked at his locker all finished, just as I had in high school. I smiled and pictured him running out in his helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads just as I had in high school. Only now, we're married. And next year, I'll bring our baby girl with me to decorate daddy's locker. 

I was sure feeling incredibly sentimental, and incredibly grateful that we get to experience this journey, and all of life's other journeys... Together. Forever. 

So here's to your first year of college football lovebug! I can't wait for the years to come :)

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

Ps. It gets better... He played in his first college football game today and I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my chest. My eyes were wet, my heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking. I've seriously missed watching that stud play. He's incredible. And he's all mine ;)

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Halloween '14

Halloween definitely wasn't my favorite holiday growing up

I don't like scary anything. I tried to like it during one phase in my life.

Then I stayed up all night thinking a birthday balloon was a person.

Never again.

Good thing I married a guy that enjoys the "fall" side of Halloween much more than the scary part of it just like me!

This isn't our first Halloween together since we "dated" before marriage but it sure was fun having a husband to celebrate this "holiday" together :)

Every time I've ever carved a pumpkin, I get frustrated and just kinda give up.

So I was quite pleased that all I had to do was draw the outline for Hunter to carve.

I also washed, dried, and baked the seeds!

Yum!!

Also, we listened to Christmas music the entire time we carved our pumpkin.

Did you ever "boo" anyone growing up?

I hope you did.

It's seriously so much fun :)

Hunter and I did together this year and we loved it!

We sure can't wait to share these traditions with baby girl next year and every year to follow :)

Here's the link for the printable just in case you plan on doing it next year!

We went to a football Halloween party this year!

It was SO much fun!

I love that we have built in friends thanks to football.

One game we played was fear factor.

Hunter had to eat a ridiculous amount of jello.

He looked like he was going to throw up.

I was also paranoid the whole time that he was going to stain his white shirt,

I had to eat Harry Potter jelly beans and identify them.

I was pretty pleased with myself for knowing so many, not so pleased that I got the rotten egg flavor...

I brushed my teeth 4 times when we got home. EW!

Our couples costume involved our wee one this year!

I was so pleased with the way that shirt came out.

Who would've known my puffy paint collection from high school would be so handy later on?

Thank you Hunter for being a good sport and wearing that terrible mustache.

Ha, I love him! 

Yesterday, aka actual Halloween, Hunter was flying to Tennessee for football :(

I went to work and we took the daycare kids to the grocery store to go trick or treating! So cute :)

I also drank way too much root beer (I never drink soda!) and baby girl was not a fan of the carbonation.

Her kicks were definitely more on the aggressive side than the loving side yesterday

Well that's a wrap!

'til next year Halloween!

I'm secretly so happy that you've come and gone because I can now focus all my attention on Christmas without sounding too crazy ;)

Speaking of which... the first craft of Christmas is up on our Moore sisters blog!

Yay!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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My Happy Wall

We were married for just a little over a month before any of our wedding presents arrived. 

For me, it was torture.

I would pace around the condo with ideas in my head of how I would decorate, but I didn't want to buy anything because I had no idea what would be underneath the wrapping of our wedding gifts. 

When Hunter's parents arrived with our truckload of gifts, I was giddy!

They filled our floor and we (well more me but that's expected) anxiously opened each gift. 

We received so much stuff, doubles, and triples of things.

I had so much fun placing things around our home and watched it suddenly feel like it really was our home. 

I'm still trying to finish all the ideas floating around in my head, hopefully before baby comes, but we shall see. 

I've decided to post some pictures of my favorite wall. I like to call it my happy wall.

I searched numerous stores for a white table like that.

The suitcases, frames, and apothecary jars were actually used as decor at our wedding!

I started piecing everything else together and decided all that was missing was some sort of decoration for the sides of the mirror. 

I finally found these lanterns and I was so excited to hang them!

Now, the happy wall is complete :)

Next stop, Fall decorations!

If you have any questions about where anything is from you can either comment below or email me at ajoy94@gmail.com!

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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I Made Some Things.

I remember everyone telling me that once you get married, you hardly ever see your husband.

With work and school schedules you get dinner and the evening together, then you fall asleep, wake up, and repeat.

Well I'm here to tell you that you really hardly ever see your husband when you marry a football player. 

Summer is nice. 

Not much is happening football related. 

Then Fall camp comes and well... the rest is history.

My amazing husband is currently on a plane that will be landing in Connecticut any minute now.

You better believe I've been praying, and checking my phone every few seconds to see if he's landed. 

The BYU Cougars will be taking on the UCONN Huskies Friday evening and my handsome husband will be returning around 4 in the morning.

Then he'll be on another plane the next weekend.

I'm not trying to sit here and complain because really, I am SO grateful that we get this opportunity.

I'm so grateful for the BYU football program and how much we are loving it so far.

Those boys sure are spoiled ;)

And, I completely support my husband in this dream we both have been dreaming up together since high school. 

I'm just sitting here alone in our condo, eating cookies and cream ice cream, praying my husband is safe, and kinda really wishing he were next to me.

Anyhow, the actual point of this post was to post a few pictures of some of the crafts I did since Hunter was in Fall camp.

I had a whole lot of fun in Michaels, and a whole lot of fun putting my new wreath and sign together. 

Because football season is here, and I am SO beyond proud of all the hard work my husband has put in to be where he is, I decided to make a wreath to show him how happy he makes me and how I'll always be there supporting him. 

The spot above our T.V was looking a bit empty after I took down my seasonal decorations. 

So, I decided to make something to hang for the off seasons!

I am fully aware that my handwriting is well... bad. 

But, I wanted this sign to be in my handwriting to make the verse more personal. 

Also, paint is difficult. 

And, that is all!

I think I'll go make dinner now.

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

p.s. Hunter just texted me, he landed safely. Phew! 

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How Did I Get So Lucky?

From This:

To This:

Sometimes, I just stop and think... "How on earth, did I get SO lucky?"

Apparently I'm not the only one in the relationship.

However, I tend to keep those sentimental thoughts to myself.

Hunter on the other hand, never lets me forget that he feels so lucky.

I could really learn a thing or two from him...

As I was getting ready in the bathroom the other day, I put the music on my phone on shuffle just as any other day, and proceeded to get ready.

A song came on that I used to listen to in high school, like on repeat.

At first I just started to sing along, but then a flood of memories came back to me as i realized I would sing that song while day dreaming about married life with Hunter back in the day.

Then things got even more sentimental when a song I would listen to while he was on his mission came on. 

And to make matters even more emotional, the song we danced to at our wedding came on.

I got teary eyed but quickly tried to brush it away.

Hunter was lying on our bed but popped up and laughed when I started to dance along. 

He looked at me, shaking his head, with that smile I fell in love with and said,

"How did I get so lucky?"

And, I always remind him that he just so happened to dive into that pool the summer of 2008 right as I walked in. Which totally made me fall in love with him right then and there. But really, my heart melted just as it did back when we had our first kiss that summer night in 2009. And, when he first told me he loved me. And, when he asked me to marry him. And, it still melts over the simple little things. Because after 6 years of dreaming of these moments we're experiencing now, I can't help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 

All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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Still I Fly

                                       

Oh, I LOVE this song!

Especially around 3:13... oohhh chills.

And, I just found out it's from the new planes movie.

Ha, I kinda love that.

Anyhow, I might be missing the entire point of this song but goodness it fills me with so much inspiration, and hope, and courage and.... who knew a song from a Disney movie could do that?

The beginning, when it says "There's a time in your life, When the world is on you side." 

and then continues to say... "You might not feel it, you might not see it, but it surrounds you like a light, makes you stronger for the fight."

Yeah, that part made my heart sink a little.

Remember when you were little... when your elementary school teacher told you that you could be anything in the world if you just put your mind to it?

When you dreamed of being an astronaut, a firefighter, the president, a pop star, even a superhero? (or in my case a garbage MAN... well that's beside the point and I was like 2 so it doesn't count)

Oh, those were the days.

But, it got me thinking... that time in your life, when everyone is encouraging you and when they really are "on your side" it sure does make you a little stronger for the "fight" later on.

We all have our own trials whether they are big or small, but they sure have a way of digging in deep and causing everything to seem a little tougher than it should be.

For example, I'm trying desperately to learn how to drive our only, stick shift, car.

Ugh.

My first go at it failed miserably and got me feeling pretty darn discouraged.

I literally thought I was incapable of driving that car.

I let it get to me and had Hunter drive me everywhere I needed to go because I was too scared to try again.

We do love doing everything together, but there were days he realllyy didn't want to go to Target or it really would've just been more convenient if he didn't have to go completely out of his way to pick me up from work. 

Yet somehow, I wouldn't get in that car and try again.

Then one day, I felt strong. 

I wanted to try again.

So I did.

And, I didn't fail miserably!

I drove through the neighborhood and felt so proud of myself.

A few days later Hunter had an idea that I should try driving to work, on real streets, with... stoplights.

I agreed, but that didn't stop me from feeling sick to my stomach thinking I was going to somehow crash.

It was a pretty smooth ride, until I got to a big intersection.

I was turning left and I was the first car in the line.

I freaked out and stalled the car right as the light turned green.

I panicked and almost started crying as I looked at Hunter "what do I do?"

By the time I was all situated to go again the light was red and the cars behind me were honking... and angry. 

I said a quick little prayer before the light turned green again and this time I was on my way without any trouble at all.  

I wouldn't say I'm a pro at this point... at all.

But, I've managed to go a couple places fairly close without stalling this week!

I don't know what snapped in me that day I got the urge to give it another go, but I do think it's a little bit of that courage coming out I gained as a little girl when mommy and daddy and so many others were always on my side. 

What I'm trying to get at with my silly little stick shift story that's probably having some of you that learned on a manual car laughing, is that little hiccups will always come. 

But they also will go, if we let them.

Dig a little deeper when the going gets tough and remember the confidence you had when you really had the whole wide world at your fingertips.

I struggle, and I struggle often but... 

Still I Fly

All my love,

Aleigh Joy 

(p.s I'm so grateful for Hunter's patience in teaching me. I sure love that man.)

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Our Belated Honeymoon

Hey guess what!

We finally went on our honeymoon because Hunter got a two week break from football!

Upon deciding what to do for our honeymoon, a cruise was definitely first in the options but we were bummed when we saw the prices compared to the budget we set for ourselves. 

We're also pretty young in comparison to when the rest of the world gets married so renting a car wasn't even in our options, making traveling a bit harder than we had anticipated.

We decided to wait a little longer to see if the cruise prices would change, and sure enough they did!

Like, by $400!

We sure would've been bummed if we booked it earlier. 

Once it was all said and done and the cruise was booked, the countdown began!

Luckily California has a few ports for cruise ships and both of our families are from there so we were also able to make it into a nice vacation visiting family. 

It was our first time visiting home since being married so you can only imagine how excited we were to see family and friends.

Every few days we would check the app on my phone with the countdown and get that much more excited!

A week before we left, we packed a ginormous suitcase full of enough clothes for two weeks plus 3 other bags. Two of which may have been strictly mine... (Woops. I've always been an over packer)

We seriously had SO much fun on our cruise and I totally recommend a honeymoon cruise to everybody!

It was so nice having all of our meals paid for upfront AND my football playing husband could eat anything he wanted at any time he wanted. Score!

We loved going to the sit down dinners and ordering new and interesting things. Like chilled strawberry soup... Like what? Yeah it was incredible. 

We had some really cool shows including a comedy show that I almost peed my pants listening to. 

I was super worried that I would get sea sick, but it really wasn't bad!

I just got food sick. aka I ate WAY too much.

We got off the ship at both ports and found some seriously good deals on the fun things we were able to do.

On Catalina Island we walked around for a while then rented a double kayak where we found our own little private beach to park the boat and relax. 

Later we laid out and relaxed by the water.

When we got to Ensenada, Mexico we had no clue what to do.

I of course, wanted to do something super cool while we were there despite prices, but had no idea what there even was to do. We got in line to look at our different options when a super nice couple in front of us persuaded us to do the zip-lining excursion with them. 

Also, the husband of that couple just so happened to be a Boise State coach. aka one of the teams Hunter will be playing this year. HA! What are the odds!

We got on the tour bus that took us all around the city and then over to the zip line course. 

We got to go on 5 awesome zip lines and 5 suspension bridges.

I realllllyyyy wish I had pictures to share from this experience! But, I totally would've dropped my camera on those bridges. 

Think Pirates of the Caribbean or Indiana Jones style bridges above a forest and all that is holding you on those bridges is your balance and 2 carabiners. Yeah it was a bit scary but SO fun!

After that, we went to a taco shack where we had the Best street tacos of our lives. 

We then walked around the little street "shops" and made our way to La Bufadora  which was a really cool site to see.

By the end of the day we were so worn out and exhausted that we almost fell asleep in the bus.

Overall, it was a really great honeymoon and I'm so so glad we did it :)

 All my love,

Aleigh Joy

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