The Year I Saved Easter

So basically, we didn't have an Easter. I didn't wake up to a basket full of sweets, nor did I get to find plastic eggs filled with more sweets. We didn't dye eggs colors, or help my nephew find eggs.

We didn't have eggs this year. But do not fear!! Luckily I was able to get some last minute candy the store had, and made an Easter morning possible. Hahaha, it was super cheap but fun. I think my nephew only cared about the candy, as did I. My cousin Riley had a farewell talk this morning, so we got all dressed up and headed out to hear him speak on this lovely Easter day. The weather has been perfect all day, in fact, I think at some point I said, "It is so hot!!" Which I never thought would happen.

We had Easter dinner at Brady's house, and opened eggs with a bill inside. Josie was the lucky winner and got the $50 bill! Brady and I both got $5. But hey.... that's five dollars richer than yesterday.

Now I'm home, enjoying the evening of my Easter Sunday, just wishing it was conference Sunday instead, and putting together engagement props... which are THURSDAY!!!! Yes, ladies and gents, we're getting professional pictures done on Thursday and I couldn't be more excited!! Our photographer has been so amazing, she deserves so much because of how hard she works. She's so passionate about what she does, and you can tell she actually cares about the people and capturing the moment instead of the networking, money and popularity. Check her page out here.... Have a good week :)

Young Women General Broadcast 2013

My cousin Skye invited me to the Young Women broadcast this Spring and I was so happy!! Her mom's stake was chosen to sing in the choir, and they did an amazing job!! We had really good seats. We sat 12 rows from the pulpit. I basically couldn't contain my excitement. In fact, you can ask my cousin, we basically ran into the conference room, were led in the wrong direction, and then had to walk quickly across the conference room and finally got seats in the front row of our section.

I've been to conference many times, but I've always sat in the terrace or the balcony. This was the first time sitting in the plaza section, and even this close. I've never been able to see their faces move physically. It was so neat!!! :) I loved every single minute of it. Sister Ann M. Dibb's talk was probably my favorite. She talked about standing in holy places (the YM theme) but she also talked about how moments in our lives can be holy places and I've never looked at it that way. We also got to ear from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and he always does a great job! :) It was a beautiful day, and I'm so excited for General Conference next weekend!! It is seriously my favorite time of the year!! :)

I really miss young women's so much. I see all these young women; beehive's, miamaids, laurels, and it makes me think back on all my memories of when I was at their point in life. All their young hearts, yearning to stay close to the Lord. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time when I was their age. I felt so close to the Lord when I was their age, and even though I can be that close always, I miss it at times. I wish I could always stay in young women's. It was such a trying time for me, that I only wish to give back to those young women, to help them know life is hard but that we can learn to stay close to our Father in Heaven and that he will be there for us.

We are so lucky that we get to hear from our general authorities twice a year, and even more than that some times... I'm so blessed to be apart of this gospel. It brings me so much happiness. It brings me so much peace within all the commotions of the world. I love my Savior!!! :)

Thanks again Skye, I had so much fun!!

3 Months

3 Months left everyone :)

I'm getting so excited.
We have the Temple reserved. I have my endowments scheduled. We have our reception reserved. I picked my dress, picked out flowers. We just have all the little things to do like decorations, outfits for BM's and GM's, invitations.

We're taking our engagements on the 4th of April and I'm so excited! :) It's coming up so soon!! :)

We are just enjoying our time together as well. 1 more month left of school for me! I have a new job position and Brady still loves his very much. We actually work very close to each other, which is nice.

Anyway, it can't come soon enough.

Our Place

We finally made it back to Daybreak after 2 very long years. We spent every single day (well almost) of our summer here. Lots of walks, pictures, hanging with friends. It just became the spot we claimed as ours. It was my place for escape while Brady was gone. I'd often come here and read my scriptures, run the route, just sit and enjoy the sun, look at the gorgeous water... I love it so much.

It was fun to be there with him again, brought back so many memories of our dating days... Like how every time we went I would think about how much closer it was getting to him going on his mission. That was such a trying time for me, but I can't believe it's over now; how fast time went. It feels like his mission happened forever ago, and in reality, he's only been home about 4 months.

We only have 3 months and a few days before we're sealed together, and I'm so incredibly happy. I'm looking forward to that day, and we're both so excited.

I'm so grateful to have Brady. I love him so much :)

That's all for now folks.

Oh, and I got my Temple dress.

It's beautiful and I can't wait to wear it.

I Said Yes To The Dress!!

It happened.

I found my dress.

I SAID YES TO THE DRESS!

I'm so happy and I'm so excited.

I'm grateful for those who were there for me during this time. It was such a happy experience, much better than the first wedding store I'd been to. The place is Gowns by Pamela, and it's by appointment only so I was the only person there at the time, with the girl helping me and it was so nice because I didn't feel like I wasn't being taken care of.

They mix-match dresses instead of just one who dress so it was fun to try different tops with different bottoms, or matching stuff, different sashes... it was just so fun! :)

After we cheered, and hugged and took lots and lots of pictures, we finally made our way to the door to eat for dinner. We went to Village Inn and I had hot chocolate. It was yummy.

Very happy day.

No sneak peak :(

But you'll be happy because when you see me in it on my big day,
[hopefully] you'll see how pretty it is!

Called to Serve

These are some of my late night ramblings, but this subject has been on my mind, a lot these past couple days.

The Gospel.

I can't get it out of my mind. I can't get the thought of sharing it, out of my mind either. I keep thinking of ways I could share the gospel more, so I got a twitter again. But then I worry that people won't follow me because I share too much "Mormon stuff." I also feel like I'll lose friends on Facebook... But that's now what I should be worrying about. I should be worrying about my duty, when I was called to serve here, on the earth, during these Latter-days.

I may not be going on a mission. Even though it was something I really wanted to do for a long time, I'm still called to serve. I'm still a member missionary, and I can still spread the gospel just as often as a full-time LDS missionary. And I'm so grateful for that.

Little reminders in my head all week, that I am a Child of God, and that my Heavenly Father loves me. So very, very much. I know I can spread the gospel in ways He needs me to. So as I strive to serve daily, I keep in my prayers that very duty.

I walked to and from the gym today, it was beautiful outside. As I was walking home, this song started playing. As Easter is approaching, and general conference, I'm getting very excited. I had this feeling that I should just listen to it. So I did, and I felt so much happiness. I do, Believe in Christ. After which, this song started playing and I absolutely love this song. It's so beautiful and of course, I absolutely love MoTab.

I am so excited to get prepared for General Conference. I'm going to start pondering questions, and thinks for my future. I've decided to get a journal just for general conference. It's going to be awesome :) I'm so excited to hear from our prophet, the twelve apostles and other general authorities. I really wish conference was more frequent than just 2 times a year. I really hope I can focus on my Savior, and His resurrection this coming Easter.

I hope I always remember to be Christlike and remember to spread the gospel wherever I can. I do not want to rob anyone of this beautiful joy. Everyone is loved by the Lord.

I've been wanting to read the scriptures with Brady. I haven't been doing so well personally. I've hit Jacob and I'm just stumped because chapter 5 is soooooo long, but that shouldn't be the reason. ANYWAY. I told Brady I would really like to start reading the scriptures with him. And even though I'm reading the Book of Mormon right now, I've felt prompted to start reading D&C. I haven't read D&C in a few years and I miss it. Every time I hear a verse or two, I always wonder why I'm not reading it again. So tonight, Brady and I read D&C 1. It was beautiful, and I really felt the Spirit. I know this will bless us, and us individually. I not only want to draw closer to the Spirit personally, but I want to with Brady, as a companionship as well. :)

I'm going to strive so much harder to share the gospel, whether it's on my blog, Facebook, twitter, or by simply opening my mouth. This is the most important thing in my life, and it always will be. I'm so excited for general conference and I hope you are too.

I know this gospel to be true, and I know that my Savior lives and loves me. I know my Heavenly Father sent me to this earth, to serve him and to become just as He is. I cannot wait for my return; to hug him, see his face. I cannot wait to be greeted by my Savior, and I cannot wait to see loved ones who have passed on. I know this Gospel is essential to the path that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. I know the Book of Mormon to be true, and I stand as a witness for Joseph Smith, Jr. I know He translated the book correctly, and as God allowed him to. I'm grateful for his example, and his desire to serve the Lord in every situation. I know that families will be together forever. I know that the day I kneel across the altar, and make those sacred covenants, I will hold strong, because I have the gospel in my life, and strive daily to be like our Savior. I know that I will be with Brady forever, and no matter how our family turns out, we will be happy. I know that as I prepare to enter the temple to receive my endowments, and then be sealed to my sweetheart, I will be blessed immensely. I love my life. I love this happiness. I love this gospel. I love it. In His Sacred Name, Amen.

Countdowns

So basically, I love countdowns. I haven't posted a lot, so I thought I would show a bunch of countdown for things because it's exciting and there is so much to look forward to! :)

1 Day until I look at more wedding dresses.

5 Days until I start my new position at work.

5 Days until Spring break.

1 week until Spring! :)

3 weeks and 1 day until ENGAGEMENTS!!

3 weeks until General Conference!

1 month 2 weeks until 3 MONTHS LEFT.

2 months until Spring semester is over!!

2 months until Summer semester starts.

2 months until we choose invites.

2 months 1 week until BRIDALS!

3 months until 1 month left!

3 months until we send invitations out.

 3 months 1 week until I GO THROUGH THE TEMPLE!

3 months until the first day of Summer! :)

3 months 2 weeks until WEDDING DAY!!!!

3 months 2 weeks until Vegas!!! :)

4 months until Independence Day!

4 months until Sawyer turns 1 year old!

 5 months until my 21st birthday!

5 months until Fall semester starts.

Of course, there's a few little things in between, but those will be blogged about when we cross that bridge. I'm so excited for all this wedding stuff to be over. But I'm also having fun picking everything out! and enjoying my time with Brady! :) I'm so excited for summer. I'm really enjoying this nice weather, and leaving work when the sun is still up! :) Anyway, exciting stuff.

Until next time...

Dressed In White

My sister and I went wedding dress shopping today.

I was so happy she came, she's like, my sister but like my mom at the same time.

She helps me with things the same way my mom does and it's so comforting.

ANYWAY.

We went to Bridal Expressions and it was packed when we got their.

It was a little overwhelming, and I was nervous,

because obviously I'd never done this before.

We picked out a few to start with, there was a couple that I liked, but then we found a winner. I loved it so much. I just wanted to keep wearing it. It was amazing. I could totally picture myself wearing this on my wedding day. It was beautiful and exactly what I wanted. And the second my sister saw me in it, she said, "This is the dress!! This is totally you! This is what I pictured you in." And I just felt really happy that she saw me in it the way I did. The lady that was helping us was so nice, and she made me feel really great in that dress too.

We've only got a few more stores to go to, and so far, it's in first place.

So here's a sneak peak....

Can't wait to show you the actual thing on my wedding day :)

Things Are Good

Whelp. I don't really know what to blog about. It's sad that I haven't been blogging as much. VERY UNUSUAL. But that's alright. I'll just give you an update and post some random pictures. Sound good? alright. :)

I played with playdough the other day. Of course, it was Evan who wanted to play it. I don't like the smell of it, and not the touch either but I wanted to have fun with him. I had this playdough cake making thing, so we played with it for a bit.

Here, maybe I'll share some photos from bowling.

• I've been reading this really awesome series. The first book is called Shatter Me. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Such a good book. I also got a nook, so I've been doing some e-reading. I'm feeling really torn. I love the smell of a book, the new pages, being able to turn the last page knowing I'm finished, but I love being able to read it on my nook. It's really fun :) After I finished that in about a week (I'm a slow reader) I started on the half book called Destroy Me. It's all about different perspectives in this one. It's getting crazy!!! And the next book available is called Unravel Me and I'm just really excited to read it!

• I am now halfway through the semester. I'm so excited. I can't wait for summer. I'm going to take 1 online class in the summer, which means I hope to be graduating next Spring. It's taking me longer but this isn't a race, and I'm just proud of myself for enduring.

•  I also got a supervisor position at work, which is just fabulous. I have wanted one for SO long and I can't believe this will be my first supervisor position! I feel grown up! ;) BUT. It's 40 hours. (I know, I'm crying too) so that will definitely be a change for me, but I know it will benefit me in the long run, and help Brady be able to go to school full-time.

• I finally got the border on my quilt, going to finish it to display at the wedding :)  

• Speaking of weddings, I've got some great surprises for the video we're going to display, AND we're for sure going to do a photo booth. So many sure you come, take crazy pictures with awesome props!! :) And of course, SAY HI. I'm going to search for a dress next week and I'm so excited. WOOHOO!! :)

• My nephews are the sweetest thing. I seriously have a weakness when it comes to buying them clothes, toys, candy, clothes, toys..... I spoil them but it's so great because I love it so much.

• And last but not least. I JOINED A GYM. Oh I can't tell you how excited I am. I've been DYING to get back into running, and so I finally joined a gym, thanks to my dad, that is really close to my house and it's 24 hours. I've been going consistantly this week and I'm so excited! :) I am working really hard to build up my endurance in running, control my breathing better and getting toned!! :) Woohoo!!!

Anyway, have a great week! :)
IT IS ALMOST GENERAL CONFERENCE TIME!!!!!!!!!