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.

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 :)

9 Months Old!

This little sweetheart is 9 months old today!!! I can't believe he'll be 1 this summer. It saddens me because that means he'll be two soon which means Evan will be 3..... It's just sad. I wish my boys could stay little forever and they're not even my kids!!!

Evan was over last night for a bit, and tonight I get to play with this little warrior!! His parents got married on this very day 3 years ago!! I'm so grateful for their example! They're my best friends, and I love spending time with them, especially when it's the four of us!! They are such amazing parents to Sawyer and he is so lucky to have them!! They love him so very much.

Sawyer is the most loving baby ever. He can be a little hard when he cries, over the silly things, but what kid doesn't do that? I love when he snuggles. I love when he gives you that heart melting smile. He loves Brady and I'm pretty sure Brady loves him too! He holds Sawyer all the time and I love it! :) Sawyer is so cute when he talks, and is SO close to crawling. Sometimes I set his toys a little bit away from him so he has to come get it ;) I know, I'm so nice.

Anyway, this boy makes me smile so much. I'm so grateful to be his aunty! I love him very much and enjoy watching him grow!! Love you so much soyboy.

Oh, and happy anniversary to my sister and brother-in-law!!

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!

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 :)

I'm So Happy

I am so incredibly happy with my life right now. I am so blessed. I'm so blessed with the family that I have, the relationship I have with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, the best friend ever, and the best boyfriend ever. I have had a tough time with relationships and letting it get to me but I'm working on getting over that and just really enjoying and appreciating the people who are in my life right now.

This morning I had more extra time to read the scriptures than I usually do. I've been slacking a bit, but I'm not perfect and at least I'm reading them. I'm grateful for the comforting words that I continue to read every single day. I can do this. I can do hard things.

Brady. Oh man. I can never say it enough. I love Brady so much. He is the most important thing in my life. He is so sweet. I love his smile, and how he kisses me on the cheek, only a million times a day. I love that he tells me I'm pretty, sporadically throughout the day. The way he answers the phone when I call him, and I love love LOVE how close he lives to me. He's still the same gentleman that caught my attention almost 3 years ago. I'm so glad that he has found a job that he really enjoys, and is excited to start school in the Summer! I'm so excited for this year :) It will prolly be a big one for us, both individually and together :) He is my best friend. My better half. My soulmate. My companion. He is the best person I have ever known. I love him so much.

I am also very grateful for my best friend. She is so amazing. I miss her so much, I haven't seen her as often as I used to but she still means the world to me. She hasn't left my side in my trials and my successes. I never want her to forget how much I appreciate her and all that she does. I will never forget her, no matter where our lives take us. I will always go to her first. I will always keep her in my life. She is my best friend, my other half, basically she's my sister. We have done everything together in life, and I'm so grateful to have shared so much with her. I love you so much Abby, thanks for everything.

And last, I'm very grateful for my family. They are amazing people. I am currently taking a Marriage and Family Relations class, and we've been talking a lot about families and what they mean to us, and what we consider to be "family." I love that I'm never going to be alone. Friends come and go, people in our lives come and go but family is forever. I will always have them and I'm so grateful that they love me unconditionally, and that I can always be myself with them. I'm grateful for my parents, who made the decision to be sealed in the Lord's Temple. Their example has influenced me so much. And their decision has made me happier than any decision they've made. I love my family so much. Especially my little guys.

I love my life and I am so grateful. I'm so unbelievably happy right now. I couldn't ask for more and I will always thank my Father in Heaven.

That's What I Love About Sundays

My weekend went pretty great. Fast, which I hate, but they always come so I know I'll get another weekend soon. Saturday Brady and I spent some time at his house, running to the grocery store, date night at Wendy's and some storage wars watching.

This morning I decided to curl my hair, which I haven't in a while. I went to church and we learned about baptisms, and then I left to go to Sacrament with Brady. I love going to church with him. We left early because I wasn't feeling well and I so badly needed a nap. We went back to his house where I fell asleep and he played on his gameboy.

When I woke up, it was time to eat dinner. Today is his moms birthday so we had dinner with his family. Yummy pork and bread! Of course, salad and potatoes were added but I don't like either of those. Dessert was jello, and I absolutely hate jello. So I had none of that. After, we played a game of pictionary and sang to his mom. We left after the game to head to my house to see my sister, bil and nephew. We played bang which was really fun, my mom played for her first time. It was just a really relaxed Sunday and I loved it :)

Baby Ellie :)

Tonight we went to visit my cousins and their adorable little girl born just about a week ago. She's so cute! I think she looks a lot like her dad! I forget how tiny newborns are. Sawyer came along and he just looked so big next to her, and he's only 6 months!! I love babies. They're a lot of work, and I can't even really say that cause I'm a mom, but having babysat babies, and just being around them and working around them, they're hard work, but they're SO worth it. I love my nephews so much, and now I'll add little Ellie to the bunch. She's so cute and I'm so excited to watch her grow :)

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!

As Of Lately

Basically, It's been over a week since I've blogged. I don't have too much to blog about right now. When Brady was gone, I had a lot to blog about. Letters, feelings, excitement, and I did a lot of things. I'm not saying I don't do anything now that he is home, but I spend all of my free time with him, especially now that school is out. I think we just enjoy spending time with each other watching Fringe, and playing Bang! with his siblings. So, as of lately, this is what we've been up to :)

 Brady never smiles. But it's okay. At least I can get him to take pictures with me :)

 Brady has really funny apps on his phone that allow us to make ourselves look silly. Sometimes it lets us swap faces. Now those pictures are funny!

 Then Brady and I spend the evening with our good friends Quinn (who arrived home from his mish 2 days after Brady) and Katie from high school. We go see the lights downtown, my legs about fall off, and then we play kinect sports, aka bowling. Then we eat some yummy chocolate, watch Quinn throw the bowling ball on the ground while attempting to bowl professionally. Katie ends up winning since she took a bowling class, and I beat Brady only by a few points :)

 Then Brady and I head on over to my ward Christmas party. Evan comes along and I just hug that boy so tight and kiss him all over his cheeks. He's such a stinkin' cutie. He's getting so big!! We eat ham, and yummy rolls. Evan tends to run around while my parents talk to neighbors. Eventually everyone who is my friend on Facebook makes their way to Brady and I to congratulate him on coming home and tell him they feel like they know him because they've followed our 2 year journey. He smiles, kind of laughs and doesn't really say anything. Some ask him questions, some shake his hands, and others just talk to the both of us. I love that I have supportive ward members and those who have followed a long, it really makes me happy :)

The next night Brady and I decide to play kinect sports, and we do track & field. HOLY COW. Talk about exercise. It kicked my butt, but I won the discus over Brady so that's pretty cool. My mom wins an iPad mini at her work party, so we test it out by facetiming my mom, sister and nephew. He's really cute and his reaction to seeing himself is funny. I love my family :) After facetiming, we head on over to my house and watch the Dark Knight Rises. Which is always freaken awesome. BATMAN IS THE BEST. Then we retire for the night, only to see each other the next day :)

I love my life right now :)