Things We've Learned: One Year Edition

I cannot believe that Phil and I have been married for an entire year already. In a lot of ways, it feels shorter, but then it also feels like we've always been married. I look back with such fondness at our first year of marriage. It's really been amazing.

I wanted us to document the things that we've learned about each other during this year, so Phil and I made separate lists. Here they are, in no particular order.

Things Phil's Learned about Hannah

1. She's a clean freak (hates messes in the microwave, unorganized piles of shoes and splatters on the counter).
2. Family time is super important.
3. She's really sassy.
4. She loves throw pillows. 
5. She can have a whole closet of clothes and still hate every single outfit she puts on.
6. She gets excited to plan surprises, but is terrible at keeping secrets.
7. She always, ALWAYS does her hair and makeup, even if she isn't going outside that day.
8. Between outdoor and indoor activities, she'll always choose indoor.
9. Snuggle time is sacred time. 
10. She cares more than anyone else I know about celebrating birthdays (not just her own, but everyone else's as well). 
11. She takes meticulous notes when reading the scriptures.
12. She hates when I study and she doesn't have anything to do.
13. She needs time to cool down before she can resolve a fight.
14. She loves taking pictures of everything.
15. She loves Taylor Swift.
16. Justin Bieber is her guilty pleasure, along with every chick flick ever made. 
17. She knows pop trivia better than anyone I've ever met.
18. She loves to nest and decorate the apartment. 
19. She's messy when she eats in bed, but doesn't spill when we eat at the table. 

Things Hannah's Learned about Phil

1. Don't try to have serious conversations with him when he's tired or hungry.
2. If you're using his tube of toothpaste, only squeeze from the bottom. Never try to squeeze from the top.
3. He doesn't function well on little sleep. 
4. He snores when he sleeps on his back, but always rolls over when I nudge him at night.
5. He loves Saturday morning breakfast. 
6. He doesn't do well being inside all day. 
7. He is also sassy.
8. He has a different definition of "clean" than I do.
9. Throw pillows aren't something that Phil understands, or particularly likes.
10. He's very sensitive to the needs of others. 
11. He loves visiting new places, but hates the traveling process.
12. Food is his love language.
13. He loves Sunday naps. 
14. He is great about temple attendance.
15. He always says his morning and evening prayers.
16. He has a low pain threshold. 
17. He hates being bugged when he's studying.
18. He loves homemade gifts.
19. He loves cookies.
20. He loves notes in his lunches.
21. He is a big fan of DIY projects. 
22. He always wants to resolve a fight in the moment.
23. He loves playing with little kids. 
24. He's a total nerd (He loves WWII history and anything science related).
25. He rotates through his shirts so none of them feel lonely or left out.
26. He doesn't fold laundry the same way I do.
27. He can sleep through anything. 
28. He loves teaching me about science and the human body.
29. He gets nervous for interviews. 

Overall, I think the thing we've learned most about each other is just how much we love spending time together. Phil truly is my best friend and I can't imagine what I would do without him. Marriage requires hard work, patience, love and the unfailing desire to serve your spouse. However, it's also filled with joy, comfort, laughter, love, and contentment. 

I'm truly truly blessed to be with this guy. Before Phil and I were married, I remember a conversation with my Dad where I felt the Spirit testify to me about the beauty and blessing of marriage. I felt such joy at knowing that Heavenly Father allows us to find someone that we love completely, lets us choose to marry them and then, through His powerful priesthood, seals us together for all of eternity. I know that God lives and loves me because He gave me a wonderful husband that reminds me of that fact daily. 

I love you Phil! Here's to a many more anniversaries and years of joy ahead. 

Certiport Field Trip: Utah Capitol

Much as working full-time can be monotonous sometimes, my job and my team are really great. Our VP of Sales also works as a Utah State Senator, so yesterday we got to take a little field trip to the Capitol.

I'm not really into politics, but it was great to see our government in action. Also, the building was really pretty.

From the Outside

Main Hall

Senate Chamber

House Chamber

After our formal tour with Senator Osmond, we also go to visit the Governor's office. We make a pretty good looking bunch don't we?

Only a Little Cooler than My Cube

Certiport Marketing (Back, L to R: Kim, Bryan, Chris, Randy, Ben, Kris, John.
Front, L to R: Teresa, Ashley, Peggy, Craig, Camille, Me, Chantell)

Love Day 2015

Love Day Decor

February is going to make me a spoiled girl. First Valentine's Day, then our anniversary next week. Basically, it's a love month.

This was our first V-Day as a married couple and we loved it! The celebrations started on Friday and went all through the weekend.

The first surprise came on Friday when Phil had these beautiful red roses sent to my office. I feel so lucky to have such a thoughtful, sweet hubby.

And They Smell A-Mazing!

After we both came home from work, Phil made a beautiful dinner of coconut chicken, rice, and balsamic salad. He even made caramelized almonds for the salad, but forgot to line the plate with wax paper before letting them cool. Needless to say, they were stuck to the plate and didn't quite make it into the meal. That's okay, we win some and we lose some. Everything else turned out delicious!

Stubborn Almonds 

He's a Chef

I felt very spoiled. We also exchanged cards. This year, we decided to make our cards, instead of just buying them. I made this one for Phil:

Love Puns

My niece, Vera, for a long time couldn't pronounce the "f" sound in Phil's name, so it sounded more like "Wool". This card only seemed appropriate.

Phil showed off his creativity skills too. In the weeks coming up to Valentine's Day, he kept talking about how funny his card would be. Little did I know that he was cooking up something like this: 

"Will You Be My Valentine?"

Plus Some Little Debbie

I couldn't stop laughing when he came through the door. He always knows how to make me smile.

Since Phil took Friday's festivities, I put myself in charge of the main event. I woke up early on Saturday and cleaned the apartment and left some love notes for Phil on the mirror. Cheesy, but he actually really liked them. 

Love Notes with Kramer in the Background

After Phil woke up, we went to Kneader's (along with the rest of Provo) for some special V-Day french toast. I still looked like a hot mess from cleaning and not showering, so we brought it back to the apartment to enjoy with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe. 

"Friends" and French Toast= Winning Combo

Basically, Saturday was an eating fest. I also made (or rather, attempted to make) one of Phil's favorite mission foods: Tinga. Apparently the recipe I found was too healthy (not surprising) but it turned out well. We enjoyed our Mexican food by candlelight. 

Our Version of Romance: Crock Pots and Candles

No I didn't take a picture of the actual food because I ate it too quickly, so you can only see the aftermath. 

We also made some Swig cookies (recipe here, in case you're interested). These are to die for! I enjoyed way too many. 

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

In short, it was a great Love Day for us. I am forever grateful to share my heart and life with such a wonderful man. I love you Phil! I hope all of our Love Days are this amazing. 

Crepeau Family 2.14.2015

Developmental Biology and My Testimony

I am not a science person, by any stretch of the imagination. I barely scraped by in Bio 100 with a B- freshman year and haven't been super invested in learning about science since. My husband, on the other hand, could learn and talk about science all day.

When we first started dating, I would listen to his little science teaching sessions just to humor him. I wanted him to think that I was a good girlfriend. But recently that's changed. Phil will share lessons from his classes and I am in awe about the wonders of the human body.

One concept in particular amazed me: Gastrulation. This is when a sheet of cells start to differentiate into different layers, which then fold to become different body parts. As Phil explained to me how these cells eventually become a human baby, I was completely overcome with the Spirit. How could this be possible without an omnipotent God who controls all things? How could microscopic organisms become a living, breathing, thinking human child?

It was in that moment that I started to appreciate just how beautiful our bodies truly are. What a miraculous gift that God has given us. What a privilege to receive a body, to come to earth, and become more like our perfectly loving, eternal Father. How grateful I am to my God for His creations and majestic power, working in all aspects of our lives.

Dreams of Summer

Listening to four hours of conference calls this morning has me seriously distracted. I keep dreaming of summer.

Phil and I are currently in the process of planning our vacay, and we're really excited. It needs to be a big trip, since it'll be our last big trip before med school. We haven't officially booked anything, but we're thinking a lot about this place: 

Oh, Aruba!

Isn't it gorgeous? Since we brought it up, I've become literally obsessed. Come on summer!

Med School Bound!

In case you haven't heard, Phil got accepted to medical school!!!! We feel so blessed to have TWO acceptances at this point. We still don't know where we will be going, but Phil can finally breathe a sigh of relief and know that his dreams are coming true.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Becoming a doctor is not for the faint of heart. There are so many hours of stress, service, and studying. It's been constant talk about applications, student loans, interviews and apartment hunting for months now. Granted, we still have so much to do and a long road ahead of us, but it's nice to have a general idea of where the future is going to take us.

For now though, let's take a vote: Colorado or Washington?

University of Colorado Medical Center

University of Washington Medical Center

2014 Highlights and 2015 Plans

In reflecting about 2014, I asked Phil what were the highlights of our first year being a family. Here are our lists.

Phil's 2014 Highlights:
1. Getting married
2. Taking the MCAT
3. Applying to med school
4. Trip to Mexico
5. Trip to California
6. Trip to Indiana
7. March Madness with Papa Crepeau
8. Birthday trip to Moab
9. Megan's wedding

Hannah's 2014 Highlights:
1. Getting married
2. Seeing Jake graduate from law school
3. Trip to Mexico
4. Gaining 30 lbs.
5. Losing 30 lbs.
6. Graduating from BYU
7. Starting my first real marketing job
8. Trip to California
9. Turning 25
10. Trip to Chicago/Megan's wedding

What a year we had! Here are some of our plans for 2015.

1. Move for med school
2. Run a half-marathon
3. Take an awesome vacation
4. Make regular temple trips
5. Have regular dates (planned ones that is)

So far, our goals and plans are already coming to fruition. We still have eleven months of madness ahead of us!