Cold Stone

Oh hey guys.

We're still engaged.

Still in love.

Just patiently waiting for June.

I've got a surprise coming,

and this lovely lady is helping out :)

So until I announce that,

enjoy some photos of our 

trip to Cold Stone.

Which could possibly be at my reception.

SO COME FOR ICE CREAM!

Engagements 1

I posted these to Facebook already but I'm going to post them on my blog, in separate posts so one post isn't like, a million miles long due to photos. :)

My amazing photographer Abbey, at AK Studio & Design took these for us and I love them all :) So we'll start out by posting our dressy outfits... :)

Oh and I just have to say, Brady is soooo good looking. The suit he is wearing is the one he wore at the airport. Ah. I just love it so much.

Here we go..

He Is The Sweetest

 

I watched conference with Brady this year, SO happy. Our first General Conference since he's been home. We snuggled on the bean bag, and I retweeted every quote I could possibly imagine while paying attention. During our break, we looked through our engagement pictures to choose which ones to edit. I really can't wait to show everyone. Our photographer is incredible. I loved every single shot that she got... Brady is soooooo good looking, I just can't even get over it.

 

While I was looking through them with my mom, we came to one picture, and she said, "Can you just believe that you found him?" And of course, I said yes, but it really got me thinking how blessed I am to have Brady. He couldn't have come into my life at a more perfect moment. He couldn't be a more perfect person. I truly know Heavenly Father has blessed us with each other, to love each other and to help each other along this journey. I cannot imagine my life without Brady.

Oh man, I could go on, but I'll save it for my journal :)

Later that night we had dinner at my house with my family, and played a game of Settlers of Catan. We really love that game, its not as intense with my siblings as it is with Brady's, but it's still a fun game! The night was coming to an end, and I was getting really sad. I get really upset easily over the fact that Sunday night and Monday come way too fast, too soon. Working full-time, in a new position has been taking it's toll on me, but it's also been teaching me a lot. I really hate leaving Brady each night, it's getting so much harder the closer we're getting to our wedding day (77 days!!). I just snuggled him as tightly as I could before it was time to go to bed, and I started to express my concerns for the things I would have to face at work this coming week and how I was struggling with knowing what to do.

Poor Brady, always watching me cry over the silliest things. He didn't really have many words to say, which was fine, but he just hugged me and then asked if I had prayed about it. I told him, in complete honesty and a little bit of shame, no I had not. We got discussing about praying about things, and how I hoped that prayer could really help me. He shared a wonderful experience about prayer while on his mission and then suggested we read the scriptures and then said, how about we read a talk instead, and then he said, actually, read this before you go to bed, lets watch a Mormon message instead. We chose to watch My New Life, a story about Stephanie Nielson. It's a beautiful video, and I cried towards the end of it. She has so much faith and love for herself and this gospel.

When it ended, I looked up at Brady to find tears in his eyes as well. He is so darn cute when he cries. I mean, I don't like crying, but I love when Brady cries, because I see a side of him that I don't always get to see.... his emotional side. It touches my heart when he cries/gets emotional. I feel even closer to him each and every time. He just kissed me and hugged me tightly, and then tried to frantically wipe away the tears. We just sat there, and I asked him why he cried and he said, "It just reminds me of my mission." I hugged him once more, and he said, "Pray about it babe. Prayer works. That's my testimony." and I kissed him. I cried some more, feeling so overwhelmed by both my own feelings of stress, anger, and fear..... but even more overwhelmed with how quickly the Spirit surrounded the both of us.

I could truly feel, for the first time in a long time, the arms of my Savior around me, and around Brady and I together. It's a moment I will always cherish, and one that I made sure I wrote down. We said our goodbyes and I went straight to my room and just cried. I prayed and I cried. I hadn't prayed like that in a while. I wasn't really sure what to say, but when I was done praying, I realized that I didn't just pray for help to be happier, I truly prayed for help with certain things in my life, that mattered.

I'm very grateful for Brady and his influence on me. I'm very VERY grateful that he chose to serve a mission, when at the time, neither of us wanted him to. I'm grateful that he told me to pray, that he believed if I prayed, I would receive help. I'm grateful to have shared the Spirit with my sweetheart. After he left, I sent him a text and said thank you. He responded, "It wasn't me, that was the Spirit." And I cried some more.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, and was definitely listening to the silent prayers of my heart. I love Brady so much. I'm so very happy that we have both lived our lives in such a way, that we get to enter the Holy House of the Lord, and make covenants to each other so sacred, so amazing. I'm so grateful to my Father in Heaven that it is possible to be with Brady forever. That I don't have to go a day without him, and if I ever do.... it won't be long before we would be reunited again.

What a wonderful way to end my weekend.

Winning

I really don't like missing general conference sessions, I feel like I miss out on so much even though I know I can always watch the videos tomorrow, or read the talks in just a couple weeks. But as I retweet quotes on Twitter from today's sessions, I can't help but get one out of my head.....

"Stay on the Lord's side and you will win every time."

- Elder Richard G. Scott

This is speaking, so powerfully to me tonight. I have been struggling a bit, just in a few different areas in my life right now, and I feel like this quote speaks to me. That it was meant just for me. That is why I love this gospel. It is SO powerful. And here's why:

And today, it was, "from a specific phrase" that was my answer. There is so much hate going on in the world. Everyone is so unkind and it really hurts. I just wish everyone could learn to love each other for who they are, not their actions, past, or what could happen, but loving them for who they are now. I know that if we do that, we will help them become who they can be; reaching their potential. I have never been one for confrontation, or speaking my mind on certain topics that can cause arguments/discussions with people that can end up as a negative thing, so I usually avoid it at all costs, but when I see it happen to people I truly care about... it hurts. I just want it all to stop.

I want the world to stop being filthy. I want it to stop being so dark, and confused. I just want the light again. I want happiness, and peace. I want things figured out that have seemed to be going on forever. I just want things to be right.

And my point to sharing this quote, is this...... I know that one day, the world will be right. The world will have everlasting happiness, and love will be the center. It will be clean and free from darkness. I know that because the Lord will be with us. All of us. When we are fighting on the Lord's side, we will always win. I know it. I stand as a witness. As I struggle with things, I know that as I remain close to the Lord, and choose Him to help me fight my battles, He will help me win; I WILL win. He is my best friend and He loves me unconditionally.

I'm so grateful for this love that the gospel brings me. So much comfort. This quote will go on with me during the next 6 months, and probably forever. I'm so grateful for conference. It can help anyone. I ask, that you tune in, even for a few minutes, if not longer, to listen to the words of our Prophet, and his beloved Apostles and other general authorities. They will help you. They will listen to the prayers of your heart, through revelation given by our Father in Heaven, who hears your every word.

In His Sacred Name, Amen.

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!!

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!!