2017 GOALS

Some years I set goals, some years I honestly just think it's cliche and pointless, so I don't. 

Is that sad or what? 

This year I am feeling extra inspired to set some goals! 

I'm writing them down here and going to keep the blog updated with my results. 

I've divided them into a few categories: spiritual, physical, & marriage.

Spiritual

Study my scriptures at least 10 minutes a day.
I have picked 12 topics that I am going to study in-depth this year, one for each month. I am really excited about this! I hope to do blog posts to compile what I learned each month. January is patience/kindness, and boy do I need work on this... ha

Physical

Cliche, I know. Lose the pregnancy weight by working out at least 4 days a week and eating healthier. And try to love my body again. (Side note about that: It sounds so taboo and foreign to "love" your body. The world is constantly telling us, and selling us things that tell us, our bodies aren't good enough. It's a real problem! I can see how it affects me daily, which is so sad. I never want my daughter to feel that way, so I am shifting my thinking. I have been given the amazing gift of a healthy body. I want to love it again.)

I feel better emotionally and physically when I take care of myself. I was doing so great there for a while, so I am getting back on track!

Marriage

"Whenever you open your mouth to correct your spouse, stop and formulate a compliment instead."

I came across this fantastic article about marriage and criticism that really resonated with me. Not that I feel Austin and I are at each other's throats with critiques, but I think this will really help strengthen our relationship.

Here's to 2017!!

4 YEARS

Austin and I have been walking this path of marriage for four years now. Oh, how time flies!! I wanted to write a little tribute to Austin and our time together. Along with a few little things I’ve learned along the way.

Adventure

I can’t say how great it has been for us to travel and live abroad. It forced us to establish our relationship outside of our individual families/friends. We had no choice but to rely on the Lord and each other. There have been many times we were stuck in a train station, or in the middle of a random city in Europe just absolutely winging it. We generally don't have a clue what we're doing, but we always figure it out together. Austin helps to fuel my adventurous side all while being my calming presence. I always know that because I have him, we will be okay.

Compromise

Molding two lives together and establishing a new family unit can be tough. You have to include another person in every aspect of your life– finances, living quarters, jobs, etc. Austin is one of the most relaxed people I know though, and I love that about him. He’s made all of the changes that come with marriage pretty easy. We have both had to compromise, but he makes it so much easier. I say easier, because as we all know compromise takes sacrifice and sacrifice isn’t meant to be easy.

Perspective

Not many people know this about us but in April of 2015 we had a miscarriage. Although I wasn’t too far along, I don’t think I could have ever prepared myself for the dramatic highs and lows the experience brought. I remember sitting in our tiny English flat being flooded with every emotion you can image… but above all, I felt peace. The Lord has a plan for each of us and I knew that. I knew He loved me. I knew this was just something we had to go through. I also know that wasn’t the only hard thing we will have to go through together. These things make us stronger, and through it all Austin is always there -for the happy times, the trials and everything in between. 

Fun

We are total goofs. Bottom line. I know I can say or do anything with this guy and he will love me no matter what. He's an introvert and likes to recharge alone, while I am an extrovert who loves to be out an about or with people. We are a nice balance for each other. He's my favorite and there is never any shortage of fun with him. We're best friends and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy 4^th Anniversary, Aust! Love you foreverrrrrr

Wedding Weekend 4.8.16

What a weekend! 

We came back to Oregon/Washington for my brother's wedding. It was quite the weekend filled with family and friends. 

I soon figured out that being on your feet all day in heels, drinking minimal water, while pregnant wasn't the most brilliant idea. Need a little R&R after the day!

Other than that though it was so fun to bring everyone together and celebrate a new family unit, Marcus and Olivia Russell. 

We were so busy making sure the day ran smoothly, we didn't take many pictures! I'm sure there will be more to come when the photographer gets the professional shots to the bride and groom :)

Olivia looking GORGEOUS! Hair done by Casey Russell and Makeup, Olivia did herself!

Side note: being pregnant at the same time as your friends is SO FUN!

Our First Ever Christmas Letter

Guest post: Mr. Austin Cornilles

2014 has brought adventure and change to our young married life.  We have experienced everything from malaria in Africa and altitude sickness in Japan to swinging on a trapeze in Mexico and walking through German Christmas markets in England.  Wherever we have been in our spectacular world, 2014 has brought Callie and I closer together.  Take a look at some of our most memorable moments during the past year.

During the first four months of the year, Callie continued to sell real estate in Utah.  Yes, she has her own Zillow page and her team was also honored with a regional award at her company’s award banquet.  All her hard work has definitely helped support us in all of my expensive endeavors.

In April, after four years in Provo – six for Callie – I graduated from BYU and was able to celebrate with my family and my in-laws.  A sensible person might imagine starting a reliable 9-5 job in the city where they and their spouse grew up, but I have different plans.  Callie never imagined where life would take her and her future husband while growing up in Portland, Oregon.

In May, we were able to go on vacation to Ixtapa, Mexico with the Russell family.  After a cancelled flight, a night in Mexico City, and lost baggage, we were able to relax on the beach.  Callie enjoyed the trapeze while I enjoyed playing soccer with the resort employees.  We loved spending time with family and seeing Julie dance the night away at the nightly parties.  After all the fun, we couldn’t forget to take a picture with our Rip City gear.

A few days after returning home from Mexico, Callie and I got on a plane for the longest traveling experience of our lives.  After spending a night in Dubai, we finally arrived in Accra, Ghana.  There, we worked for a company that trains small businesses in developing markets.  We experienced what rain is like in Africa, long tro tro rides through bumpy, dusty roads, the largest market in West Africa, sketchy currency exchanges, mosquitos, USA vs Ghana in the World Cup, our second anniversary, and cold showers.  Through it all, we met amazingly faithful and hard working people.  It would be an understatement to say we were inspired over and over again.

After returning home from Ghana in July, we were back on the airplane heading to Japan with the Cornilles Family.  My brother, Brennan just returned home from his mission in Taiwan, so this was our catching up time.  My dad got to see a man from his mission and my parents showed us where they used to live.  We climbed Mt. Fuji, swam in the Sea of Japan, visited historical sights, and took selfies with wild deer.  It was amazing to experience Japanese culture and spend time with family.

In September, Callie and I stuffed our lives into our suitcases and moved to Birmingham, England so I could attend graduate school.  Callie and I have made some great friends and feel at home in our new ward at church.  Callie is serving the young children in the primary and I am serving the young men.  We love learning new meanings behind British words and meeting people from all over the world.  Living in a big city with old architecture is something we thought you only saw in movies!

Callie and I feel extremely blessed to have been able to make so many new friends and travel to so many places this last year.  We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for everything we have experienced and look forward to the adventures 2015 will bring!

Merry Christmas!

With love, 
The Cornilles'

Home for Christmas

12 Reasons Why I Will Always Want to Go Home For Christmas:

1) After a snowy 15 hour road trip we walk into this....

2) We win the most coveted prices at the white elephant exchange...

 3) We get to go to killer sporting events...

 4) Even though BYU lost... Go Cougs!

 5) Every Blazer game is on TV....

 6) My mom has Spidey senses for gifting I swear...Are these not beautiful??

 7) I get to watch my husband do what he loves...

 8) And celebrate his Birthday with all the people we love...

 9) And sing to him because we know he LOVES the attention... ha

 10) Spend time with strong, caring, protective, role models like these....

11) Take pictures like this that make we want to cry...

12) Yep. 

 Christmas is about our Savior, Family, and Love. I love going home for Christmas because those 3 things are always the center. 

Fall Photos

First off,  BIG thanks to Danielle Cluff and Terie Young for taking these pictures. These two are "up and coming" photographers and they are AMAZING. If anyone is in need of a recommendation these two are top of my list.

These may or may not look like engagements. We don't mind though. Take a look at the colors people! Utah is Beautiful! Enjoy :) 

365 Days Ago....

We got married! I can't believe it has already been a year.... 

People say the first year is the hardest. If this was the hardest year of our marriage I feel great about that! Yes, he hates the hair in the shower and still doesn't understand why I change my outfit 8 times in the mornings. But he puts up with me and I love him for that. I'm so blessed to have an amazing man by my side for the rest of forever. Sure, we've had our ups and downs (mostly ups) and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am so excited for all the many years to come. Love you honey!

Just Call me Phil Dunphy

IT'S OFFICIAL!! I PASSED THE REAL ESTATE EXAM!! I AM A LICENSED REALTOR!!!!

I honestly couldn't be more excited for this new adventure. You can help me out by getting me in touch with anyone you know who is thinking of buying or selling real estate! I would love to be a resource for them. My contact information is listed below.

Callie Cornilles

Office: 801-850-5624

Callie@utahhomehub.com

 www.UtahHomeHub.com

Side note: 1 year ago and a day this boy asked me to marry him. Happy April Fools Day, right? Couldn't be happier!

Much Love.



Blessed

Mama Russell has been wanting to get new family photos since we got two new additions to the family this past summer. We ended up getting them taken over Christmas, and we just got them back! I LOVE them. Also, I found this little gem of a post that never made it up on the world wide web. I wrote it after Christmas break but I knew something was missing. Lo and behold.... these frames turned out to be the perfect fit. Enjoy!

I'm feeling sentimental today for some reason. Actually, I've been feeling pretty sentimental ever since Christmas break. I'm feeling pretty blessed too. Sometimes I forget about all the amazing things I have been given.

 And by things, I mean people.

People really are the greatest things we have in our lives. I look at all the great things I got for Christmas, which I really do appreciate. I mean who doesn't love new clothes, or shoes, or jewelery, or candy, or.... you get my point. But none of those things really make me happy. Yeah they may make me happy for a while, but I'm talking about TRULY being happy. Having Joy. People do that, not things.

I realize more and more as I get older that PEOPLE are what matter. This break I was overwhelmed with the love and support we got from our families. The Cornilles side of the family is amazing. They have done nothing but make me feel SO welcome and loved. By the end of break it felt like their house was my house. I felt like I grew up there just like Austin did. And then there is my side (Russell) of the family. There's never a dull moment with my family, and I love it! I am so thankful for them and their support as well. I can't tell you how much my mom did for us in preparation for us being home. Not to mention all the Christmas shopping/crafting. She is amazing. Both of our families are. They really bring me joy.

Finally, my husband- Austin. I really don't know what I would do without him. He has been the most unbelievable addition to my life. He's my biggest support, love, and best friend. He is truly a blessing, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

 

-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Also, photo cred to our amazing photographer: Shonda Barlow. Check her out! She did our wedding photos too.

I Love You Day!

Valentine's Day gets much better when you are married people. I promise. It was great to have solid plans and feel extra loved all day. Even though I know he loves me everyday ;)

Here's a little snippet of our evening... better late than never, right?



Side note: We had reservations for La Jolla Groves. We got there early and there were at least 50 people in the lobby waiting for their table. Needless to say we left... annnnnnd went to Tucanoes. End result: NO wait, FREE chocolate covered strawberries, & a rose! Fabulous day.

Yay love!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND!!

Today is January 12th, Aka: Aust's birthday!!!!!!!! This post is dedicated to my wonderful, handsome, kind, patient, amazing husband. I love him so much. He means the world to me. 

Happy Birthday Honey!