Disneyland

On Friday the 15th I turned 23. 23! Happy Birthday to me!

Since my birthday falls on a 3-day weekend most years, we decided (back in October) it would be fun to go to Disneyland for my birthday and as like another lil' honeymoon. So we did.

We left on the evening of my birthday, got to the Long Beach Airport, and took our first Uber ride. The next morning we got up early (k, I did and was like I AM GOING TO DISNEYLAND TODAY while 

Shae slept in then when I woke him up he pretended he was as excited as I was) and headed to Disneyland! 

We did the park hopper pass so we could also hang out at CA adventure. 

We fell in love with the (new?) cars land. 

So much that we streamed Cars 2 in our hotel room that night. 

It was such a fun way to celebrate a birthday/hang out in 65 degree weather.

Why is Disneyland so magical? idk but IT IS.

Also, Sunday we went to Newport and met up with a couple mission friends.

It was kind of crazy to be back at newport as married people -- We met up there

back in June for our friends' wedding when Shae was 

in the middle of summer sales in Nebraska (boo). 

This time was pretty awesome because I didn't have that impending sadness of leaving him on the back of my mind. We just live together now. (dancing girl emoji).

Then we almost missed our flight home because Shae got super into his chemistry homework and "didn't want to board yet." haaaa. But we made it. I wouldn't have been that sad if we missed it and had to stay though...

amiamo la pizz'

that's a pure happy face right there.

we love it so much we might name our future child margherita.

**napolini at downtown disney in CA.. more honeymoon pics on their way!!!

pretty mountains + us

coldest I have ever been. like...ever. and our feet got very muddy (notice the lack of full-body shots, haha!!) but you'd never know it by my happy face.

our photographers Megan and Taylor were very very awesome, and the bouquet! i loved that thing.

love that guy, too. he's not too bad.

engagements...

"ok, now pick her up in a cute way."

"like this?"

a letter home from rome

Moving to my new apartment, I came across a letter I wrote to myself at the end of my mission a little over a year ago. This what definitely one of the highest points in my life so far, and it was such a boost to read this lil' letter and check myself [especially after 2015, one of the most challenging years of my life...]. God is good.

December 9th, 2014

Dear [Future] Jessica,

There are a lot of things I learned in my mission that I hope you are still doing. I just spent a year and a half telling people that these simple things will make them happy, and pleading with them to look to God and live. I hope you remember what those things are, but if you don't, I'll spell it out for you:

* If you study/practice anything for 60 minutes per day, you will get pretty good at it! * The only way to learn/maintain a second language is to SPEAK (remember all the whiners at english course that complained about not learning english? It's because they didn't speak ever * It doesn't matter how much of the scriptures you read everyday - but you have to open the book and read a little! The word of God changes you more than anything else * John 12:26-27, Mosiah 24:13-16, Helaman 5:12 * If you're not feeling the spirit, maybe you need to create a more reverent atmosphere and evaluate your priorities * You were divinely ordained to be a mom... it doesn't matter what career you choose, but how you live and standing for what you believe does matter * PRAY ALWAYS. Ask. I get answers a lot by talking it out * Selfish = unhappy. Look around and see who you can help * You will get a lot out of church if you go with the right attitude * If thine eye be single, they whole body shall be full of light * Short and long term goals make a successful person * Shoot an email to those Italians telling them you love them * Temple attendance. AKA remember your covenants. You have a temple(s) super close! Little old Fratello Battezzato is taking a 3-day bus ride from Sicily to get to his! So go! * Mornings are a productive time, believe it or not *

I lived 18 months striving to live like Jesus and to have the Spirit, and I am completely changed for the better. There can always be more good change. So keep up the good patterns. TI VOGLIO BENE. Christ = #1.

Love, Me

lazy saturday

We slept in till 9:48 today, the laziest of Saturdays. Here I am blending into my grey sheets, where I spent a good portion of the day.

We did emerge to eat some Thai food, but immediately came back for a two hour nap. And to do our homework on the [grey] couch.
Hey, there's some productivity.

I'm partly ashamed about the activities of the day, 

but mostly so thrilled that my life right now includes things like decorating OUR house in all grey 

and eating mango sticky rice with my love.

laura and greg

New band!?

Are they even new...?

Laura and Greg

Here is Forever for Sure

xxii.xxx.mmxv

basically i just snagged this snapchat of one of the coolest days of my life.

being married to shae is almost too good to be real.

happyhappyhappyhappyhappy.