Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mother, Ma...

Of all these names, they mean something, to us all. Today is Mother's Day, and like everyone else in the world I'll be blogging about the beautiful mother's in my life.

 My mother. I blog about her a lot, cause she is just that awesome. She's my best friend. She can make anyone laugh. She's just really funny and can easily keep a smile on my face. Her jokes are just... her and that's what makes them funny. I wish I could give her a hug from her mom this mother's day. She doesn't ever show it, but I know today, her heart must ache to see her mother again, but how grateful I am to have a piece of my grandma, every single day in my life. I know my grandmother is so proud of my mom, as am I. Her and I relate with a lot of things in life, so with her, I never feel alone. Thank you mom. Words can't do justice for how grateful I am. I love you!

 My sweet sister Linsey. She is SUCH a wonderful mom. This is her first mother's day, and her sweet little boy Sawyer will be 1 in just two months. I can't believe it! She is the perfect mom for him. I've never seen someone sacrifice so much for this little boy whom, himself has been through so much. He is the cutest boy. He smiles just like her. We're basically best friends and I'm grateful for the blessing she is in my life. Though we may bicker still, I'm grateful for all that she does for me. And especially Sawyer.

Crystal, is the sweet mother of Evan. My sister-in-law is awesome. She's really funny and I'm so happy to have her in the family. She is such a good mom to Evan, and I'm so grateful for the blessing he is in all of our lives. She loves and cares for him so much. I know he loves her, he is always saying mom. Hopefully they have another baby soon :) Cause I want another niece and nephew like Evan, he is so sweet and kind, just like his parents, especially his mom.

To Marla, my high school counselor. She is not my mom, but she is a mother-figure to me. This is an old picture, but I love it. I'm so grateful for her and her influence in my life. She has helped me through so much, just like my own mother. As I know, she is missing her mother dearly on this very day, I want her to know how thankful I am, for all that she has taught me in my life. She is like a mother to me, even if she isn't a mother herself. She's a beautiful person, someone I want to be like. Love you Marla!


And of course, to all you mom's out there, happy mother's day. You're special and your children love you very much :)

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...

Valentine's Day

My Valentine's Day was a pretty good day! I was lucky enough to get work off but I still had to go to class. So that was boring and went as slow as ever... Something happened at Brady's house that we had to help take care off (tons of water everywhere) so we spent most of our day at his house. We left to my house to watch some Fringe and just relax. I wasn't really in the best mood ever and I felt so bad but relaxing and just being with Brady was nice. We made some caramel shortbread but I didn't each much cause it's so rich! Brady made it a lot on his mission so he was pretty excited to make it for me :) Sawyer came over and so we played with baby and watched him. He was a good baby so it was nice:)

Brady gave me a pretty funny card, some chocolate and beautiful roses. He's the first boy to ever give me flowers:) So it was pretty awesome. He got a new computer that came with a free nook so he let me have it. I'm excited to start using it! :) I am really glad he's home for this Valentine's Day instead of me opening a package and just hoping the next 10 months go by faster. I can't believe that was me only a year ago... GAH! Anyway, very happy, happy day :)

New Years Eve

My new years eve was pretty low key. Especially since I worked majority of the day. It was EXTREMELY busy at work because I bet everyone didn't think we would close early. Hahaha, poor members. ;) Anyway, I got home, pretty exhausted and decided to hangout with Brady at his house. I wanted to make cookies or bake something to help pass the time so we weren't stuck watching tv all night. I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and Brady made white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies! Yummy! Our friends Katie and Quinn joined us with about 20 minutes to spare of 2012 but it was fun. We ate cookies, I took a nap while Brady watched a movie. Our friends came over after and we watched the ball drop in New York and we (by we I mean, I a little bit, but mainly Quinn) shouted and screamed for the new year. We started the new year by watching a movie and then we parted.

It was fun, low-key and great :)

Summary '12

Here's to 2012! I can remember going to Orem with my bff Jenna, to party it up at UVU Newphoria and having the time of my LIFE. And I remember coming home with SO much excitement for what this year was about to bring, and now it's over. This year went by EXTREMELY fast and I can't believe it, but like 2011, I'm pretty excited for what's in store next year :)

January - Partied the new year at UVU Newphoria with my bff Jenna. Brady 11 months left. Lots of baptisms at the Temple. Letter writing. My first little black dress. Squad (aka Karlee) got married and I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid. My first day of Spring semester at SLCC. Roommate weekend with my beh fren Abby. I dyed my hair 2 colors for the first time in 4 years. Lots of letters and packages. Babysitting Evan.

February - Brady 10 months left. Set a reading goal. Valentine's Day craft. Lots more of babysitting. A lot of cruising and endless hot chocolate/pies at Village Inn with beh fren. Sister found out she was having a boy! Made it to 299 days left! Exploring studying places with Abby. Farewells. Packages. Institute. LADY ANTEBELLUM CONCERT!!! Ladies night out to see the Vow. Evan turned 1.

March - Obsession with Justin Bieber (still going). Catching up with old friends and making new! Brady 9 months left. More babysitting. Cousin Andrew came home from his mission, locked my keys in my car, while running for an hour, nobody at the airport could help us. Dinner with the roommates. Facetime with Jenna. Sunday walks at the Temple. More letters. Power outage at work. Mormon drinks with Abby. Baptisms at SLC Temple with some friends. Dying from my classes and getting ready for finals. Discovering the cutest bookshop ever. Eating a 6 pound pizza that too 30 minutes to cook. YWGC with sisters and mom. Prep for GC.

April - Brady 8 months left. My birthday twin from Germany came to visit! Temple trips. RSL game with co-workers. Easter. Babysitting some more. Silverlake trip with Abby; made an awesome music video. More letters. Spring semester ends. Bowling and RSL game round 2 with co-workers.

May - Brady 7 months left. Visit Ty & Skye's new house; bonfire. Linsey's baby shower. Mother's Day. Mommy/Daughter date for finishing school. 200 days left. Bloggy-blog turns 2! Free pony for Evan. Seminary graduation for sissy. Lots of letters. Roommate weekend with sissy. Hogle Zoo. Chocolate milk Tuesday/Lasagna with bff Jenna. Pictures of Brady from a friend! Jess graduates high school. Summer semester starts.

June - Brady 6 MONTHS LEFT!!! Brady & I together 2 years!!! :) American Fork Canyon with family. Left Wejo after a year and entered my new branch, Sandy! Matt & Morgan's wedding. Lots of letters. First trip to City Creek. Tried on Tiffany's ring; only $54,000. Vern's wedding. Bubbles' wedding! Chasing Chance concert/visit to Orem to see Ash! Calling in RS.

July - Brady 5 months left. 4th of July spent at swimming pool with family. 2nd nephew born! Cold stone with bff Jenna. Crafting and lots of visits to see new nephew. Sleepover with Evan. Going away party with some awesome MG's. Bee's game with necklace. Gilbert's first death. Remembering good times. Bought my Macbook Pro; best purchase ever.

August - Brady 4 months left. AAinga's wedding! Painted my room pink. Lots of late night ramblings and thinking things through. My 20th birthday! Cousin Tia's wedding. Birthday package. Birthday dinner with Abby (twice; celebrating our Aug. birthdays together). Work party at RSL game; first jersey. Evan in nursery for first time. First day of fall semester. 100 DAYS LEFT. Found out Brady's homecoming date.

September - Brady 3 months left. Dyed my hair; got layers. Friend in England finds Brady; takes picture. More letters. Lots of spiritual experiences. NSPW 2012. Nervous for Brady to come home. Brigham City Temple Open house. My first, live college football game; GO UTES! They  beat BYU 24-21; bought my first UofU shirt. Bff Jenna has beautiful baby girl; go visit. Plan to graduate in 7 months. Level 5 at work. Joseph Smith (Briley) comes home from mission. RSGC with beh fren Abby. Music & the Spoken Word/tour of GCC and Temple Square with friends.

October - Brady 2 months left. Brady's 21st birthday! Surprise package. First official 5K. More letters. Spending lots of time with nephews. Pictures taken for Brady's birthday. Tswift cd Red came out; loooove it. Finished the BOM. 3 years for Andy. Halloween/carving pumpkins/trick-or-treating. Sam comes home from mission. MRI - nothing to be concerned about.

November - Brady comes home this month; 3 weeks; 21 days. Said goodbye to Gilbert; welcomed new car (still no name). Final letters from Brady. November thanks. My last letter to Brady. Presidential race; my president still never changed. Breaking Dawn pt 2. Weekend visit to Orem to see Ash. Very.Last.Letter. Poster making. Baby shower for Skye. Finished sticker poster; thanksgiving day. Yummy food, lots of family; lots of nervous/anticipation/anxiety. LOTS AND LOTS OF CRYING. Cute new outfit. Drove to the airport; saw my sweetheart for the first time in 2 years; bawled my freaken eyeballs out. (He is STILL so cute). Spent the fabulous weekend with Brady (and every night after that). Festival of Tree's with family. Went to airport to welcome home Quinn!

December - Brady is home :) First family Christmas party together; won in bingo. Brady's mom engaged. Made my airport video. Jessica's Birthday. Morg's reception. Brady's homecoming talk. Temple Square with Ziegler's. Ward christmas party. Hanging with friends. Lots and LOTS of Fringe watching. Ice skating. Started the BOM again. My family Christmas party. Quinn's homecoming talk. MoTab Christmas concert. Cousin Justin's homecoming talk. Christmas Eve with Brady/my fam. Christmas night with Brady. Andy's birthday. Great things to come at work :)

And tonight, Brady and I will just spend our time together and watch 2012 go and never come back, while we welcome 2013 with open arms :) There is a lot in store this new year for me, Brady and the both of us together. We're really excited and we look forward to what the Lord has planned for us. I'm so grateful I can finally start this new year with Brady home, he is such a blessing in my life and by far the best thing to happen in 2012. I am so happy with my life right now :)

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2012

Christmas was fabulous this year! We all woke up around 8 AM and had breakfast first and then opened gifts. That never happens at my house. For as long as I can remember, I was always the one getting up to ask my parents if we could wake up at 7 or even 7:30! And this year, we all just woke up individually.

My nephew is so cute and it was so fun to watch him open all his gifts and love each one more than the last one he opened. Sawyer was so cute. Loved the wrapping paper! I got a sewing machine, jackets, money/gift cards. It was a good Christmas. My family loved all the gifts they got! We had lunch with my dad's side of the family and had fun just talking and enjoying each others' presence. I later went with Brady to his family Christmas dinner at Granny's at it was a lot of fun. He got me the cutest gift and I loved it! :) I love being with him and his family. We ended the night watching fringe and just snuggling.

It was a good Christmas and definitely better than any past Christmas. Instead of opening a package, I actually got to be with Brady and it was fabulous. I'm so happy he's home and I cannot say it enough!

We got each other jackets.

Pretty necklace Brady got me.

It was a great Christmas and I'm excited for next year! It came and went too fast!

Temple Square

This year I didn't go to Temple Square as often as I have in the past. But that's probably because I prefer snuggling with Brady and watching Fringe. Seriously, such an addicting show. Except right now, it's a bit confusing. Anyway....

The Ziegler clan decided to take a trip downtown tonight and boy was it FREEZING. It didn't take very long for our ears and noses, and well, our entire bodies to start freezing up. It was fun and we took lots of pictures. The last time I was there with Brady was the very last night we spent together before he left on his mission, and to walk around Temple Square with him was the best.

I just kept looking at the Temple knowing I would enter one day and I'm just SO excited. The lights are always very pretty. I've heard some people are getting tired of them because they're the same every year, but for me, it's the best thing ever!! I love Temple Square more than any other place on this entire planet. I don't know what it is but if I could live on Temple Square, I would. There is just something about that place that makes it different from any other. I have dreamed of being sealed in that Temple since I knew what getting married in a Temple was.

Anyway, sort of off topic, but that happens like 99.9% of the time when I blog. It was a really fun night. I love hanging out with Kyle, Amanda, Austin, Josie and Brady! It's always so much fun!

Love this family so much!

Christmas Parties

This is only the beginning of many more Christmas parties to go to! I went with Brady to his family Christmas party! I had a great time! We ate lots of yummy food, played some bingo (which I won a prize) and then just chit-chatted for a while. After we went back to Brady's house and played BANG! with his siblings and it was SO much fun!!! I love that game. We watched Batman: the Dark Knight and then parted ways.

I love spending time with Brady and his family :) Love all of them so much and so grateful they were okay with me coming!!! :)

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is SO fun! I'm so grateful that I get to go each year. I usually go with my mom and sisters, it's sort of a girl thing. And each year I'm just amazed at how many people come. This year Brady was able to come with, and his brother and brother's girlfriend came along! It was a lot of fun. Especially because Brady wouldn't stop talking to my mom about this. Hahaha, he's a cutie.

We went back to his house to watch some Fringe and then parted ways. I love the Festival of Trees. Having been a patient at PCMC, it gives me a different meaning. I hold that hospital so dear, very dear to my heart. It is because of them that I am still here. I'm grateful for everyone's service and their loving gestures of donating things to raise funds for the hospital. It's amazing! Can't wait until next year!

The Wait Is Over...

Here is the post you've been waiting to read, and I've been waiting to write.

Basically it was a long day. I'd been tracking his flights. His first one left late, but he got home 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. I arrived at the airport early, and his family showed up after me. We all waited, and talked and then his uncle walked over, showed me that his flight had landed and I lost it. I couldn't stop crying. My mom said, "it's 9:27," my heart stopped and we all finally walked over towards the escalators and I stood REALLY far back (you can see that in the pictures) and I was sobbing. I couldn't stop crying, I was SO happy. Everyone else was all clumped together and I just stood in the back, waiting.

Then my sister yelled, "THERE HE IS!!!!" And I continued to cry. He came down the escalator just smiling and I just sobbed. Hahahaha, of course he spent time hugging his family. It was really good to see him with them again. He hasn't seen his older brother in 4 years because his brother was on a mission when Brady left. I just patiently waited for the handshake that I knew was coming. I had no expectation of him hugging me, but it was awkward because I felt like everyone knew this "moment" was coming. Finally he had hugged everyone in his family, and I continued to wait patiently like I had been for 2 years. His dad walked over and said, "Brady!" and pointed at me, LITERALLY everyone's heads turned and looked right at me, (cue awkward moment) and Brady said, "I know" and then made his way over and shook my hand. He BARELY touched my fingers, and I just cried while saying hi. Hahahahahaha I felt dumb but oh well.

We stood by each other as people took pictures, and then he stepped away for a moment. The photographer that was there, but didn't grab a photo of us, because there were so many people around, so after letting him talk to family members, and watching him sneak looks at me. I seriously couldn't stop staring at him. He looks SO good. And he sounds the same, talks the same, jokes the same, he just is my best friend, but older. more mature, and just looks really good. Every time we made eye contact, it'd be for a split second and then he'd look away. I am so happy he kept sneaking looks at me, it just brought me comfort.

ANYWAY, the photographer brought him over to grab more photos of us. She kind of stepped back and I just looked at him and I thought, "I HAVE to say something!!!! I HAVE to say something to him. I can't just let him walk away without saying something to him!!" So I said, "So.... tomorrow, you get released at 10... is it alright with you if I go?" (even though his mom and I talked about it already and I was planning on going) and he looked at me and said, "yeah" and nodded his head all cute. I just died. He's SO cute. I can't stop saying that. Hahahahaha :) oh it was so good to talk to him. even if it wasn't for very long, or really about anything. we all just kind of stood around and talked, and I just couldn't stop staring at him.  We finally said our goodbyes, and I headed home, anxiously awaiting 10 AM the next morning :)

I have felt really sick to my stomach all night and I just want to die. I only got 3 hours of sleep, and I'm getting so anxious to see him this morning. I feel like I'm going to pee my pants all over again. But I cannot tell you how unbelievably happy I am, to have him home. Even though he will probably be weird for a while, and we'll have to get to re-know each other, I am so happy. He's real. He's home. He's my sweetheart, grown up. This is over. It's finally over.

I'm going to write a thank you post/letter to my MG's later this weekend. I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed and I'm sure he is too. It's been quite the experience but I don't regret a single moment.

He's home everyone! He's finally home...




So grateful for Jen, with Simply Sublime Photography for taking pictures for me. For catching these moments that I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for her kindness and willingness to do so. She's so sweet and if you're looking for a photographer, give her a call! :) I'm grateful for my sisters and my mom, for being there to support me, and to support Brady. I could not have done that without them. I'm grateful for Brady's family, for their love and support and for welcoming me to the family, even while he was gone. I'm so grateful to know every single one of them. I'm grateful to Brady, for serving an honorable mission, for making that decision that will bless him immensely for a lifetime. He is a shining example to me, and my heart is overflowing with love for him. I'm so proud of him.

Until next time....

November Thanks 1

Last year, I did some posts on my gratitude for the month of November, so I decided I would do it again, and write each Sunday, and depending on the date, I'd write that many things I was grateful for. Maybe I'll add more :) I should do this more often, but it was fun last year! :) Plus, this month is just fabulous ;)

1. I am very thankful today, for Relief Society. We had a wonderful lesson on the Atonement and using it in our everyday lives. Not just for repentance of sins, but for healing of sorrow, getting through trials, help with forgiving ourselves and others, and many more things that came to mind. I'm so grateful for my Savior, for his atoning sacrifice. For the fact, that he is living proof that he truly knows how I'm feeling when I am have a bad day. The Atonement is so wonderful, and I'm so grateful for it.
2. I'm very grateful for my family. I have spent so much time with them, and I love every second. I love hanging out with my sisters, and I especially love being with my nephews. I love the laughter we share, and all the good times and bad times we stand through together. I am so blessed to have the family that I do, and I couldn't be more thankful.
3. I'm thankful for movies. Such a silly thing to be thankful for, but I am. I'm so happy that movies are created to help us be entertained and happy in life. It's fun getting together with friends and/or family to watch movies, or even go to a theater. I cannot wait to watch all the movies Brady missed, with him. I am excited for Christmas movies, and I'm so grateful for the joy they bring.
4. I'm very grateful for my education. I've spent a lot of time on homework today. More than I usually do (which is pretty sad). But I am grateful that I've gotten this far and that I'm so close to graduating, and starting my BS. I really want to go to the University of Utah. I'm so grateful that I live and have a life that allows me to receive such education, that will last me a lifetime.

What are you thankful for? :)

Carving Pumpkins 2012

Looks like everyone carved pumpkins tonight :) I love Halloween, but is it sad that I'm glad it isn't as big of a holiday as Christmas?? I cannot wait for Christmas! I'm so excited!! Anyway, back to Halloween. We had family over tonight to have sloppy-joes and carve pumpkins. I haven't had a sloppy-joe since I was prolly 10 years old.

I really don't like carving pumpkins. It just kind of grosses me out, and the stuff makes my skin itch, so I could be semi-allergic to pumpkin guts ;)
(I'll just keep that as my excuse).

Evan was terrified of pumpkin guts, he just kept saying (well, what we could make of his almost-2-year-old language) "gross!" Haha, and just pointed, and each time we had him touch it he would pull back and wipe his hand on his shirt. Hahaha, it was funny. But he loved stabbing the pumpkins with the little poker, and helping everyone. He's just such a cute kid and I love spending time with him. My sister and brother-in-law came over and they joined in and made some awesome pumpkins. My mom decided we had one more pumpkin for me to do, so I chose to paint it. And it was definitely the runt of the patch. It was all deformed and so I decided that part of it look like it was an old person without teeth (sucked-in mouth). But as I painted it, I decided it looked like a space muppet from sesame street :)

We had a lot of fun and I'm really sad today is over. I love being with my family :) It is so much fun! Plus, I got to hangout with my favorite boys.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween :)

4th of July!

The holidays were SO fun this year! The morning started off for me, with some Pretty Little Liars! I'm so addicted to that show! It's so good :) My family and I then went to a ward breakfast where they served good food, and put on a wonderful program in honor of the country. After that we decided to go swimming! My sister and brother-in-law and some of his family came, and my mom also came! It was fun! I sat by the pool and they actually got in. The sun and weather was perfect and I just wanted to enjoy the warmth/heart. After that we went to "layout" which actually turned out to be sitting and talking for like an hour. But it was awesome! I got a little tan, so that's good :) Then the snow cone shack finally opened, so we headed on over, but the flavor I got was just gross! So it was a little disappointing :( After we left to come home, I took a much needed nap. When I woke up, family was already over and it was time to eat :) Evan wasn't feeling so good and I feel really bad :( But after some medicine he started to get better. We ate dinner, talked and laughed as usual. My dad and I then went for a run! It was awesome! I came home just in time for fireworks, and we sat for about an hour watching ours and the neighbors. It was so awesome, and Evan loved the fireworks! Hahaha, such a fun day!

I'm so grateful to live in the country that I do. I'm so grateful for those who are serving, have served and are preparing to serve to help us keep our freedom. This is such a blessed country, and I thank my Father in Heaven every single day, for this beautiful place. We really are so lucky and blessed with what we have. God bless America.

Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to wish a Happy Father's Day to these men in my life :)

Dad: I love you so very much. You are amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better father! I know Heavenly Father purposely sent you here to earth to lead, guide and protect me and for that I'm extremely grateful! You do so much for me and my family. You've always been my rock during surgeries, and that is something I will never forget. Thank you for always holding my hand! I love that we share similar interests, and that you go on walks with me :) Thanks dad, keep doing what you're doing. I love you always and forever!!

Jake: You are the best brother EVER. I'm so grateful for you and your constant love for me. You've never been negative towards me and have always encouraged me to be who I truly am every single day. I'm so blessed to have you in my life! I love that you live so close, and that you allow me to see my wonderful nephew :) He really is such a cutie, and a wonderful blessing in my life! You are such a good dad, and I love that you two have each other.

Mitch: You're prolly the best brother-in-law ever... and so far, the only one! Ha! ;) But I'm so grateful for you and all that you do for Linsey and my family as well. I'm glad I've known you pretty much my whole life, but you make my sister so happy and that makes me happy! I know when this little one of yours makes his big debut that you'll be ready to take on the challenge of being a father! You are such a good, loving and happy person, and I know Sawyer will be blessed tremendously because of your faith, willingness and desire to support, love and care for your family.

And of course, to my Father in Heaven. I'm so grateful for your ultimate sacrifice. That you sent me here to earth to learn, grow, love and serve others and build up Your Kingdom! This journey of life has been insanely crazy, but I'm glad I got the one I have, because I wouldn't want this journey any other way. There is so much that I'm thankful for.. that sometimes words cannot express! I love you more than anything else in my life and somedays I just wish I could see your face, but I know one day I will... and it will be familiar to me.. I live for that familiar face... so thank you.. ♥

Hogle Zoo 2012

We went to the Zoo today for Memorial Day! My sister and her in-laws/BIL's family went to the Zoo and we brought along Evan and Jessica! It was so fun! Evan just stared and I'm sure he was just not sure since it was his first time! It was neat to see the animals again! I hadn't been since like... elementary school! Hahaha anyway, we had a good lunch and were able to see the bird show :) Which was way cool! I can't wait to go back and see the Polar Bear exhibit!!

He was out after 2 seconds of being buckled in!

Can Sisters Be Roommates?

Yeah. It's highly possible.

In fact, we've done it for 2 days now.

Even though we've lived with each other our whole lives.

Oh well.

Having the parents gone this weekend,

makes it different.

But we have survived everyone,

and the parents are coming home tomorrow.

Yay!

I've missed them.

Yes. Jessica does know how to make dinner.

And yes, I know how to eat.

It works out perfectly.

:)

My 57th Letter

"I just get so excited to write you on Mondays!"

"I'm all BOMed out!"

"I like the phrase in Judges 5:12, "Arise...and lead thy captivity captive."

"I really like reading the Old Testament."

"I sure hope we get to spend Thanksgiving together..."

He's just so darn cute:)

Almost at 6 months left!!

♥

My Blog Is 2 Years Old!

Can you believe it?

I've been blogging for 2 straight years now!

You can read all about the first chapter of this story here.

I can definitely say I've come a long way. I graduated high school, started dating Brady, went on loads of adventures with him and then he got his mission call. I got my braces off, moved down to college, came back all weekend, got close with my roommates, started my first semester of school, celebrated birthdays, conference, adventures, dates, skype calls, text messages, elder babe, etc. Then it was the farewell, my final goodbye, first finals, christmas break, emails/letters, second semester, nephew was born, spring break to disneyland, goodbye to roommates, moved home, got a job at a CU, mother's day phone call, moved to the singles ward, got close with my best friend, started school close to home, dated someone, went on a few dates, made new best friends, country swang, christmas break, three packages, ring, cruising, and here I am ready for my last summer without Brady.

I did a little summary, and I know I didn't cover it all. I can't even begin to try and tell you all that I have learned these past 2 years, but I can tell you it's been a lot. I've grown so much from that first post, and even this post. I'm a new Ashley and I love it :) I love blogging. I love blog stalking, I love blog design, I love the fact that it's my journal and someday I can print it off into a book! I'm so grateful to all my readers who have commented (given feedback) or who simply just read it to read it, and maybe nobody reads my blog, but I'm grateful for those who support me and my story :)

I wouldn't want it any other way.

I have a beautiful life,

and I ask God's forgiveness if I don't love it enough.

My name is Ashley, and this is my story :)

Easter 2012

We started our Easter yesterday with crafting and egg-dying. We colored eggs, and wrote things on them. We cracked a few eggs, and stuck alien stickers on them for Evan. He just wanted to hold the eggs most of the time. Crystal made the CUTEST Easter decoration and I'm so jealous I didn't do one!! I'll definitely need to make one for summer time :) Me and my mother share decorations since I don't own my own home, and well, I currently live in hers so we make it work :)

This morning we went to my cousins farewell and he did a fabulous job talking on the Resurrection! He's serving in the Scotland/Ireland mission and leaves on Wednesday!! Good luck Shane :)

After we came home, and just vegged and did some homework (well, I did). My sister was over and we also had little baby over to play with :) My brother and sil came over later and we all had lunch, talked fafsa/school and things got a bit frustrating for me. I didn't receive the financial help that I was hoping, and I'm sad to admit, I'm pushing my graduation back to Spring of 2013. Trust me. I'm really upset about it. In fact, I cried and I couldn't concentrate on my homework for a few hours. There were small, but lots of factors that played in this decision, and I'm still nervous for it to work out, but financially, I have to do it this way. It might take me a few days to get over it, but I'm really sad I'm not graduating in December like planned. Hopefully God will help me through this third year of college, and I will graduate with my AS in Psychology.

After that we had an easter egg hunt for baby, and it was hilarious. He didn't grasp the concept of picking up the egg, and putting it in his bucket. He just wanted to open it! My mom got him some fun toys and we gave him some candy as well :) He just played outside and we spent the rest of the day with family.

I'm so grateful for my Savior and that I got to spend the day with my family. I'm so grateful for His Resurrection, and that I have the chance to rise at the morning of the first resurrection with my family, forever. My Savior is my best friend and I've been working really hard on strengthening that relationship and I've seen a difference in this last week. I'm so grateful for the Atonement and it's power to help forgive and heal us in our lives. I really hope everyone has a chance to learn of the Atonement and Resurrection. It's incredible.

My 47th Letter

Today was a good mail day.

47th Letter, Ensign & Letter from Quinn :)

"Thanks for the V-day package babe! Your bags of candy broke open in the box so there was candy everywhere. That's okay though! :*"

"A mission is great!"

"Why is "Ohio" referred to as "THE Ohio in D&C?"

"Love you lots!"

So I've pretty much been having a real hard time without him lately. I just miss him a lot and I want him to come home already. 1 week from today and he'll have 9 months left. This month has dragged on just like month 2 did... it's weird.. February must have a curse of something... either that or it's dragging because of the extra day. Whatever February's problem is, I hope it gets over it fast. Hahaha, I'm really excited though and extremely nervous. I'm starting to freak-out and have nightmares now... It creeps up on other people but for me I feel like it just continues to drraaaaggggg. Barf. Anyway, I love him still and am so excited for time to keep moving :)