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

Unwanted Obsessions

I thought a little bit about writing this post, but then I told myself it doesn't matter and I'll just write about it in my personal journal. But then my cute friend Elisabeth wrote a blog post similar to what I had been thinking about writing.

I have this app on my phone, I'm sure you either have it, or you've heard of it. It's called MyFitnessPal. It keeps track of your calories/food you're eating and your exercise, depending on how much weight you want to lose a week. This became my obsession: calorie counting. I hate it. I hate the obsession. I hate the thought of not eating foods I want because of the calories. Sure, I should watch how much and what is in the food I eat, but I shouldn't starve myself of the things I want to eat.

So what did I do?

I deleted the app. I got rid of it. I'm tired of feeling like I'm not in control; that a stinkin' app is controlling what I do and do not eat. Again, I know I could have been in control myself, but it became an obsession. An unwanted obsession. I'm tired of counting calories. I'm tired of feeling like I can't eat anything.

I also decided to do away with my gym membership at the cute little gym by my home. I wasn't going every day, but I was paying for it like I should have been going every day. I just am not a dedicated gym person. And I have heard, non-stop, "What about the winter?" UGH. [I don't workout in the winter.] A lot of people don't, sure I can work on my arms, my parents have weights, but just because its winter doesn't mean I have to go to the gym. But, in reality, the gym became an obsession the thought of being at the gym became an obsession. The pressure, the thoughts, the guilt....

"I'm not at the gym like I should be." "I should go to the gym, instead of eating this ice cream."
I honestly felt like I couldn't just go to the gym to go. I felt like I had to be there for 60 minutes. That I had to run my hardest, that I had to beat my time, that I had to bike, and lift weights and use the machine's because everyone else was. I felt ashamed of myself because I wasn't like everyone else. These thoughts became an unwanted obsession.

I ran Cross Country in high school. Best. Decision. of my life. I was really nervous, and was diagnosed with sports enduced asthma. It wasn't very fun, and held me back because it became difficult to breathe the more I picked up my speed, but never once did I EVER let that defeat me. I would always have someone standing at the finish line with my inhaler, and my parents were there to support me. I made lots of friends; best friends. It was the best decision of my life.

And before you know it, I dropped a couple pant sizes, and I found myself happy dancing in the dressing room at American Eagle. I will never forget that moment. That moment of happiness. That moment of success. Knowing that because I ran, to stay in shape, to be involved in high school, to do it for fun, and to be apart of a team, really boosted my self-esteem. I didn't run in high school to stay thin, I didn't obsess over my weight, sure I wished I was skinnier, but it wasn't my only thought. I was honest with myself...... I ran, to run. I ran because I loved it. I loved running. I had NO idea what I had done my entire life without it. This became my first wanted obsession.

I love running, its my favorite thing in the world. Now that I've been graduated for a few years, I just like to run to run. No pressure, no need to lose 20 pounds (though that would be nice), in a week or so.... I run to be healthy, to get fresh air. To use the body I have, to be grateful for the ability that I have to run. I run because I LOVE to run. I may not ever run a marathon, or a half marathon, neither might I ever finish first in a 5K, but I run because I love it, and because I can.

So, in conclusion, I'm just going to run. I'm going to run because I want to, no strings attached. I'm well aware of needing to stay healthy and to take care of my body, but I'm in control now. I am going to control what I eat, I'm going to control how long I exercise and how I exercise.

"One day you’ll wake up and instead of having that argument about whether or not you want to run, you’ll ask yourself how you lived without the run. It becomes the best part of your day and creates the best friends and best moments in your life. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other even when it seems hopeless, pointless and impossible." 

(source)

These unwanted obsessions must go. They have no choice.

Livin' Our Love Song

On a night like this

Teary-eyed, as you took my hand

And I told you that I'd be your man

So many things have come,

so many things have gone.

One thing that stayed the same,

is our love still going strong..

Baby just look at us, all this time and we're still in love.

Something like this just don't exist,

between a backwoods boy & a fairytale princess.
People said it would never work out.

But living dreams, we shattered all doubts.

It feels good to prove them wrong,

just livin' our love song.

With my heart beatin' fast, and my shakin' knees,

It's pretty hard to believe, after all these years,

I still need you this badly.

Oh girl we've come so far,

everything I want is everything that you are.

18 days left.

♥

(Livin' Our Love Song - Jason Michael Carroll)

3 Year Anniversary

Today, is mine & Brady's 3 year anniversary. It was spent fasting (and me almost dying from fasting), spending 2 lovely hours at church together, searching for apartments, seminary graduation for Brady's siblings & some snuggle time before the work week starts. Our true anniversary is in only 24 days!!! I'm going to speak with the Bishop & Stake President next week for my big kid temple recommend and I couldn't be more excited!!!! :) We're getting so close and only have a few things left to do!! :) I hope you all can make it and share our special day with us. So lucky to have this man in my life. I can't believe we've been together this long. I'll never forget the day that started us, but I'm so grateful to have him in my life. He is one of the greatest blessings I've ever received.

I'M GETTING MARRIED THIS MONTH. AAAAHHHH.

I am seriously so excited you guys. Here is the final countdown post. Are you ready? June is going to rock, and hopefully go extremely fast!!

25 days until marriage.

Today is my bridal shower.

Sending invites this coming week.

2 weeks until Katie's Wedding

2 weeks & 4 days until I go through the Temple.

3 weeks until my ward bridal shower.

3 weeks & 4 days until I get married.

3 weeks & 5 days until VEGAS.

Small, but that makes me happy :)

We're getting so close everyone.

Can't believe it's here!!