NEW BLOG

Alright everyone,

this is my last post for sure.

Now I know,

and I don't want this to sound prideful,

there are a lot of you who follow my blog.

Head on over HERE: http://abziggy.blogspot.com

to follow along my new adventure as a newlywed,

having a cute family in the future, and other crazy happenings!!

My first post starts by sharing my bridal session done by the lovely Abbey!

Here is a sneak peak, I'm sure you will want to see more :)

Can't wait to meet you all over there!!

Adios!

From A to Z

Alright guys, I'm getting married today.

wait.. whaa??

I can't believe it. I'm so excited. Obviously I'm up super early, but I just have butterflies in my stomach, because the day I finally become Mrs. Ziegler, is today. I had so much fun running errands with my sister and one of my best friends Ashley, going to leatherby's for my last night as a single lady with all of my best friends, and packing until almost 1 in the morning with my little sister. Boy am I so grateful for all the love and support I've been shown in this planning process and today, I get to see ALL of it come together.

Remember that surprise I was talking about? ;)

I'll be back in a week and make my first appearance here.

My cute friend Hunter designed it for me and I love it. 

I've had it patiently waiting since April.

So since you now know about this new life journal of mine,

it's time to retire this book.

This blog has been my best friend, my journal, my escape. I don't blog here for networking, or to get the most followers, or sponsors, or giveaways, or any of that. I blog because I love to write. It gives me an escape, it teaches me writing skills, and to always be honest with myself, never afraid to speak now. I have so many memories that I'm really excited to turn into a book. 

I hope you will all join me over in my new spot, as Mrs. Z, as I start my journey as a newlywed! Thanks all the love that has been shown here, but that doesn't have to end ;)

Hope to see all of your beautiful faces tonight, eating sub zero and brownies!!

The End.

Almost There!!!

ugh. seriously. its taking forever.

less than 48 hours until marriage.

could it please go any faster??

Called to Serve - Austin

Brady's little brother Austin opened his mission call tonight!! Seems like just yesterday Brady was opening his mission call, I was holding back the tears as this journey was about the start. Austin had a lot of support, plenty of family and friends there, waiting to hear!!! He's had his mission call since Wednesday but his mother has been out of town until today so poor Austin has had to wait! But it was exciting and we're very happy for him :)

Ohio, Cincinnati Mission

After, we went to celebrate by eating pizza at the park with Brady's family! Austin put his availability date October 2nd, and that's when he's leaving! We're all so excited for him! Can't wait for this new adventure. Congrats Elder Ziegler!

The Best Day Ever

Today was the best day ever.

Let's start off with first things first.

1 WEEK

until I steal this cutie pie's last name.

photo credit

(just a sneak peek picture from our bridal/groomal session)

I can't believe it. I'm getting married in 7 days.

7 DAYS!!!! 

This reality is starting to hit me a little bit. I've been waiting for this day, for a very long time. In fact, Brady and I started talking marriage way before he even started his mission papers. It is crazy to think we have been together for 3 years, even though we were separated by distance for 2 of the 3. I've been practicing my signature, and it's getting pretty good. Brady is so cute, and wants to wear his wedding ring right now, which I guess he could, but we'll wait until we're married ;) I remember being at 1 week until Brady got home from his mission, and how it went by fast. And this time, it's 1 week until we're married, for all of time and eternity. :)

Now lets move on, to one of the greatest events of today.

I went through the Jordan River Temple to receive my endowment, and covenant with my Father in Heaven. It was beautiful. It was amazing, it was so awesome!! :)

 I had to work in the morning, and it was all I could do to stay focused. I was so excited & nervous I couldn't even eat lunch!!! I ran some errands as soon as I got off work, and came home in time to put my Temple bag together with my mom and then we waited for Brady to arrive so we could go to the Temple!! I was so excited at this part, it was finally happening!! I remember calling in February to schedule this endowment session and now it was finally here. And what better way to spend it knowing I would be marrying Brady only 1 week later!?!? When we got there I had my mom take a photo of us, and as we walked in the door my mom said, "exciting!! you get to go through the doors!" and I had a flash back to this memory (2nd paragraph). But this time, I got to go through the doors, I got to walk through and was allowed.

The session was amazing, it is literally 2 hours. But it was worth every second. I obviously can't speak of what goes on in the Temple, as it is sacred not secret, but I will say it is nothing what I expected it to be. My mother was my escort, and my sister, brother-in-law, aunt, cousins, grandparents, dad, family, etc. were all there to support me. It was awesome :) I cried at the very beginning of the session. So overwhelmed with the Spirit and the reality of what I was about to participate in; the covenant I was about to make with MY Heavenly Father. It was the most perfect feeling in the world. But, one of the main reasons I cried was because I was finally in the Temple with my sweetheart. I had dreamed of this day my entire life, and especially while he was gone. He sat right next to me across the isle. We kept sneaking looks at each other, the entire time. He kept making me smile, blush and giggle. He is SO cute you guys. Seriously.

It was amazing, one of the neatest things I've ever experienced. I really want to go back. In fact, I crave to go back. I didn't feel weird, I wasn't freaked out. I was so fascinated, and eager to go back and learn more, learn it all over again, but not this next time, and ever again, will it be for me, but it will be for someone else. I feel so much closer to my Father in Heaven, its incredible. It definitely was everything I waited for and more. My mom whispered to me during the session, "I'm so proud of you, this may sounds weird in the Temple but your obedience has finally paid off, I'm so happy for you." And yes, my obedience has paid off, I wasn't ever the best kid, but I still have time to turn around, and I did... my Father in Heaven was merciful and entered my life at the perfect time.

When I walked out of the Temple, I walked past a bunch of girls outside the baptistry doors and I just thought, how cute, if they only knew what it will be like when they get older and serve missions or get married, and experience what I just did. It was so nice to be apart of something with more than just myself. Its nice to know we have so much support for each other in this gospel, we have so many people to lean on for help. We are not alone. I was so happy and so grateful so many family members could come. We headed for dinner and then called it a night..

It was a beautiful day :)

I'm so happy and I cannot wait to be married in 7 days.

Father's Day

I'm about to brag, so watch out guys, my dad rocks & I have the best dad in the world! ;)

I love my dad. He rocks. He is a very hardworker, and does so much for my family. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. He is tough but I learn so much. He takes such good care of my mother and I love it. I feel like my dad and I sort of have a special bond, that he may not think of but I like to think he does. My dad has been by my side for every single surgery I've ever had. He was always there to hold my hand when I would get my IV and when I felt grown up enough to not hold his hand, he still stood by me. And when I woke up from my surgery, he was always sitting next to my bed. Now I don't want to say my mother was never there to support me, because boy she was. One surgery I had, I was in the hospital for a few days and she went home one day for 3 hours to shower and do laundry, so my dad and other family stayed with me; I BAWLED the entire time she was gone. Hahaha, so silly.

Anyway, I'm just very grateful for my dad. His strength helped my strength. Knowing my dad would be there when I woke up was comforting, I knew he would be there without a doubt. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me it is. It's something special I will always remember. Because now that I'm older, and can handle it on my own, and will have a husband in 9 days!!!!, I will never forget my dads love, and selflessness towards me.

So for Father's Day, we got together and headed up to Silverlake and had a bbq and walked around the lake. It was wonderful having my family there, and Brady too! We both got sunburned but not so much me as Brady. I put sunscreen on ;) Hahahaha, it was fun though. Came home, took a nap, and then headed to Brady's dads house for another bbq for dinner. It was fun but I was SO exhausted from being in the sun all day.

The Last of Our Engagement Pictures

There aren't many of this outfit, but it's still one of my favorites. I love getting pictures of Brady and I up close not so much far away, I love seeing his cute face, and his smile and his "serious" face. Hahaha, he cracks me up.

I can't believe we're only a week and a half away from being married!! I go through the Temple on Wednesday and I'm SO excited!! :) I meet with the Stake President Sunday morning and then Wednesday evening I'm going through the Jordan River Temple.

There are a few reasons I chose the Jordan River Temple. 1)That is my "little home," and it always has been. I call the Salt Lake Temple "my home." No other explanation. I've gone to the Jordan River Temple since I turned 12... so many memories 2)Brady went through that Jordan River Temple so I thought how cute would it be if we both went through the same Temple :) Silly, but I think it's cute. And 3) because they rent clothing so others can come to my session!

I am so in love with this guy. So much patience, kindness and unconditional love these past 4 months. They have felt like the LONGEST 4 months of my life, which doesn't sound like it could be true because I waited 2 years for him, but now that I'm marrying him.... 4 months is a long time.

We have basically everything done, just gotta pack up my room, pack up for our honeymoon, get things set and ready to go for our reception/wedding day, and then patiently wait :) I'm so excited for a 2 week break from work too. I neeeeeeeed this. Plus, what a bonus to spend your 2 week break getting married and being with your best friend and stuff.

Anyway, I'm marrying the most amazing man ever. And he's super cute.

"From the day you strolled in,

My heart was stolen,

You'll be the hand I'm holdin',

When the heavens open,

Cause you are golden."

My favorite

 photo credit