4 Months

I thought I was done with the countdowns.

Pahaha. NOPE.

4 months until I marry this stud.
4 months left of being at the top of the alphabet.
4 months left of having to say goodbye at night.
4 months left of having our records in different wards.
4 months until we get to grocery shop together.
4 months until we find a place to call our little home.

4 months until we enter the House of the Lord, and be sealed as husband and wife, forever.

Oh how glad I am that it's 4 months and not 24.

Hi.

We love being engaged.
So far.....
not a whole lot has happened.

We still love each other. We still hold hands. He still gives me endless kisses on the cheeks. I still hug him just as much as before.

As far as planning a wedding..... not a whole lot. HA! I was so obsessed with planning weddings and I loved EVERYTHING about weddings. But now that I have to actually plan one I'm just like.. -__- haha. We scheduled the temple.

June 26th. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.

And I'm going through the temple to receive my endowments the week before. I'm so happy. I have dreamed of this forever and it's finally my turn. I have waited so patiently and strive every day, to be as righteous as I can be, looking for opportunities to grow into the woman my Heavenly Father needs me to be. The brother on the phone said, "Well that is just a wonderful decision you have made, congratulations!" And it just made me smile :) He was very kind and so happy for me. I'm just extremely excited.

4 months left on Tuesday.
IT CANNOT COME FAST ENOUGH.

Anyway, we're going to look at reception centers this week, we've narrowed it down to a few but we'll see what happens. In a few weeks I'll go look for a dress, and hopefully we'll decide on a photographer, if I'm gonna do the videographer and if we can afford having a photo booth at our reception! It's all so fun! :) I'm excited to start choosing all the little things like outfits for my bridesmaids, how I'm going to do my hair, what earrings I'm going to wear, what my TEMPLE DRESS WILL LOOK LIKE!!!! :) :) :)

I just can't contain my excitement you guys. We're even looking at places to live, and it just all seems so surreal. So, don't worry, I'll keep you updated. If you'd like an invitation to the wedding, please click here. It would help us so much :)

Until next time..

P.S. I'm super stoked to start a new blog as a Mrs.
Mrs. Z to be exact :) The blog name I've chosen is pretty cute, but I've got a few others in mind.
So maybe I'll do a poll on my blog and see what people like.
Stay tuned!

The Night I Said Yes!

I've been thinking about a million different titles for this blog post. I was just going to do the proposal but thought that was boring, and in all honesty, I don't think people care what this post is called, they all just want to know the story and that's what I'm going to share with you RIGHT NOW! So let's just begin by saying that I'm going to record this for my own records so I'm going to add my thoughts during the event itself. 

I will be completely honest and say I had no idea this was going to happen tonight. I was SO oblivious to any sign given (even if it wasn't meant to be a sign). I was completely convinced it was happening next week. He, and my parents both had me brain washed, thinking he hadn't even talked to my parents yet, NOR did he have the ring yet... but I was about to experience the greatest shock in my life... :) A good shock though.

Today is Friday, and like any other day, I had work at the butt crack of dawn ;) And so did Brady. On Valentine's Day, Brady suggested we walk around Daybreak Lake and take pictures by the Temple like we did almost everyday the summer before he left on his mission. And I thought that was a cute idea, but we didn't do it. So around 2:30/3:00 he texted me and asked where we should go to dinner tonight since we didn't go last night. And I suggested Olive Garden and he said, "Let's go to the one at the district so we can take a few pictures by the Temple after." (insert sign #1) And I just remember thinking, Why in the heck does he care so much about taking pictures by the temple?? He hates taking pictures! But if that's what he wants then, okay! And boom. That's all I thought. And then, only a few seconds later, I started getting REALLY nervous and antsy. Those last two hours of work were just straight up horrid, and of course, I'm doing my very best not to get my hopes up so I don't go home sad. But that didn't work as planned.

I left work and went home to change because I'm sorry, but I'm NOT wearing my work clothes when I get engaged. Hahahahaha, then we met up at Olive Garden and my stomach just wouldn't stop turning. But I was trying SO hard to make sure it didn't look like I knew or had an idea, so I just pretended I was just enjoying the night. One thing I noticed (insert sign #2) he kept texting on his phone. Brady never texts anyone but me, and his phone is usually in his pocket but for some reason he kept it out and was using it. So I thought, wow! I wonder if he's texting someone that is playing a part in this event, or maybe he's just like truly using his phone this time. And again, I thought NOTHING of it. I can't stop laughing at how oblivious I was to everything there. Anyway, we finished up dinner and headed out. I suggested that we drive together but he said, "Lets drive separately (insert sign #3) so that more people can have parking spots." (What an excuse right??) And I just said, "Okay!" and boom. Thought NOTHING of it... AGAIN!!! Hahahahahaha seriously. I bought everything he told me. He also told me he brought his big brown coat because it was "getting cold outside." And totally bought that too.

Little did I know, he was using the car and coat excuse to gather the ring and lovespoon (explanation soon) and such. Ha! :)

We make it to the Temple, and I wondered why it was so empty, but I remembered the Temple was closed for cleaning, so that was alright. As we were walking towards the Temple he said, lets go to the front! And then he said, "Babe, remember when we were last here? Two years ago?" (insert sign #4) And I said yes, and then thought, Oh how cute that he would remember that! And again, thought nothing of it.

We walk to the front of the temple, and I noticed two other people walking towards the front at the same time, I thought, what if that's Amanda... she takes pictures... no that doesn't look like her. Maybe they're just at the temple too. (insert sign #5) and I didn't think a single thing of it. I grab my purse to get my camera to take our "few pictures," he says, "Babe, I have an early surprise for you!" And I'm like, omg. what!!!! And he pulls out the "Lovespoon."

Explanation

 Just as I start to read, I make it to the part where it talks of "given for .....Engagements....." and I just looked at him :O and he just kind of started to smile/laugh and he said, "Babe I have another surprise for you." And I just hugged him, I was laughing/crying/smiling all at the same time and I knew it was coming.

He pulled the ring out and I just started to cry. He got down on his knee, and asked me to marry him. That's when I noticed the camera taking pictures of us, and I knew it was Amanda, but I was just in so much shock and felt overwhelmed. 

I of course said yes and he laughed and smiled, and kissed me and we all started to laugh and I kept crying. I also kept saying "Oh my gosh. This isn't real!" Only a million times.

I couldn't stop hugging him either. I can't believe I'm engaged. I couldn't believe anything that was going on. I was TOTALLY taken by surprise. He got me and I had no idea it was coming today.

I am absolutely in love with my ring and of course, my fiancé. Ah. I just love saying that. Haha, we continued to laugh and talk a bit, but I mainly couldn't stop saying "Oh my gosh, this isn't real."

We headed back to my house where, coincidentally, my entire family was waiting for me. I walked in the door and said, "Where's mom?" And boom, they all started cheering me and my mom hugged me and I lost it again. We went into the family room and I told them everything, and it turns out, they all knew, the ENTIRE week!!!! I was so shocked. He said he bought the ring on Monday, talked to my parents on Tuesday night (while I was visiting teaching) and told my family he was proposing tonight. AAHHHH. Hahahahaha they're such good secret keepers. I'm just surprised because everyone had me convinced that he hadn't done a single thing yet, but in their heads they knew it was coming!! Hahaha so fun. We went to his house after and called our families and told our friends.

 It was an exciting evening and I've never been happier :) It turned out perfect and I'm so happy. It was better than I expected and I'm glad the only time I'm saying yes, is to this amazing man. I can't wait for eternity to start for us on June 26, 2013. It can't come soon enough. Gosh, I don't even know what more to say right now other than I'm just so happy. (Oh, I'll add this, we chose a Wednesday because it's not as busy during the week at SLC.)

There is so much work to be done, so please, any advice/help/suggestions.... send them my way :) And I hope you all come to my wedding so I can see your pretty faces and you can meet this wonderful man of mine.

I'm extremely blessed to have him. Someone who is taking me to the temple, to be sealed for time and all eternity. It's one of the greatest things my Heavenly Father has offered me here on this earth. I'm going to be with my best friend. Finally. I'm going to be apart of his amazing family, and he'll be apart of mine as well. I'm going from A to Z... but that's alright. I've been dying to be a Ziegler since we were dating. I know it will be one of the greatest days of my whole life. 

I can't believe I made it. I made it through 2 years after so many trials and hardships. I made it. We made it. We did it!!! And finally, I can't believe I'm finally making it to the temple. This is why I got so emotional. I have dreamed, literally dreamed, of entering the temple. That has always been my life goal, and I get to accomplish that with the love of my life. I'm so excited for our lives to start together. I'm really looking forward to not having to go home without him. So silly but it's true.

We have so much love and support from friends and family and I just wanted to say thank you. We both really appreciate it so much and could not have done a lot without it. I, of course, will keep you updated on progress and anything else really awesome that happens. I may or may not add more to this blog post as I might remember things I forgot, but as for now, that's the proposal story.

4 months, 1 week and 3 days left of being an Allen.

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 :)

Grandma Bronson

I feel like as I get older my perspective on things change.
Like the things that used to drive me crazy when I was little, I love more than anything now. Or how I thought my parents were totally out to get me, they're my best friends now. How I felt they were so unfair and didn't understand me, they are the only ones who do. I truly appreciate my parents and all they did for me when I was younger, and still to this day. I gave them something hard to work with but I'm grateful they never gave up on me. They truly loved me unconditionally and I am so grateful now, that I have parents who didn't back out on me, who have kept their end of the deal because it is their earthly calling from our Father in Heaven, and that is so important to me.

But today is my Grandma's birthday (my moms mom). She passed away when I was about... 3? or 4? I can't remember, I was so young. I only have one vivid memory of her, it was when her hair color starting changing and she started losing it, I asked her why she had different hair and she responded, "Because somebody stole it from me, and they haven't given it back yet." That's the only memory I have of her. The next would be at her funeral, when I noticed her hair color was back to normal. I remember telling my mom, "Mom! They gave her hair back!" And I just thought that was so great.

Sometimes I feel angry that a sickness took her away at such a young age. I didn't have the privilege of getting to know her like some of my other cousins, but it's okay now, and I understand more than I did back then. But boy, what I would give to see her again. To get to know her. My mom talks so highly of her, and same with her siblings. I grew up listening to stories of my Grandma and the crazy, silly things she did. And I love them. I love each and every one of them and I get so happy every time my mom shares a story, even if we've heard it a million times. And let me tell you why I cherish them so much...

First, because it's my grandma, it's all I have of her, but mainly because the things that happened to my grandma, or things she did are the EXACT same as my mom. I cannot tell you how much my mom is her mom. She looks like her, and when I hear stories I just KNOW my mom would do that. I see my mom do silly things every day. I get to tell others silly stories about my mom. She is such a fun, selfless, loving person. She sacrifices so much. I can't even begin to explain it. I truly have the best mom in the world.

I want nothing more than when I have kids, to be EXACTLY like my mom. She is everything I want to be and more. She does so much for my siblings and I. She always says she hopes she's doing her very best, but in reality, she's going the extra mile every single day for all of us, including my dad. She's amazing. She is someone I can talk to about literally anything. I can go to her for comfort, advice and we just connect.

I am so grateful to have been blessed with the mom that I have. And even though I never knew my grandma, I know that one day, I will get to meet her and get to know her. But for now, I'm grateful for her daughter, who is just like her; who is amazing in every way. I'm so grateful that I get a piece of my grandma in my life every single day. And I cherish every moment I have with my mom.

I love you mom, thank you for everything. And a happy birthday to my grandma! Can't wait to meet you someday!

Dance Besties

One of my best dance besties was married today :) I'm so happy for her!! We became really good friends when we danced together on Varsity! We did everything together and I miss it so much! We have so many fun memories:) So I'll share a few pictures from memory lane for ya!

Sometimes I miss dance so much, but I'm really glad I had such great friends to make it such a wonderful experience for me. Even thought SCS no longer exists, it still does in all of our hearts and I'm so grateful for our teachers and our director. They made part of my childhood the greatest! :) So happy for Roni, that she's found someone to share her life with :) I hope we stay in touch because I miss her!! We had the greatest "jiggle dance," but please, don't ask us to perform it for you ;) Hahaha and our moms became good friends and it just was a great time in my life :)

 We had a party at my house. A sleepover which consisted of food, laughing, and prank calling.

Such a blast! We were the besties :)

 We left dance to get halloween candy, and took longer than we should have.

But it was fun. Oh well :)

 Team dance pictures:)

 Nationals in Vegas :)

 Oh just one of my favorites:)

And this is us today :) It's been crazy how long we've known each other, but I'm so gosh darn happy for her! :) Love you Roni Foxy Mama!!

- Gramma Gertrude

Entering the House of the Lord

Happy February everyone! :)

This morning, I woke up a whole hour and forty minutes before I needed to be up. What better time than that to dive into the scriptures and catch up on what I haven't read this past week. It's amazing how easily it is to forget to read your scriptures... yet so easy to remember to read them as soon as you wake up. I'm so glad that thought always enters my mind when I wake up.

This morning, the only scripture that stuck out to me, as there were many, but this one just added to what's been on my mind these past few days is 2 Nephi 12:3.

"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Isn't that so wonderful? I mean really. That's what happens when we attend the Temple. We learn of God. We learn of his ways, his teachings, what he wants us to do in this life, and then we will walk that path doing absolutely everything we can to remain faithful to him, so we can, one day, return to him forever. The Temple is a wonderful place to receive answers. It is the holiest place on this entire earth. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many of these gorgeous Temples. To be blessed enough, and worthy enough to enter in and do the work of the Lord for those who have passed on, and one day, enter for myself :)

That is my biggest desire right now, and I'm really having a hard time not thinking about it. Entering the Temple is literally all I think about. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just wanting to enter in because everyone else has, or I'm still the only 20 year old girl who sits next to the 12 year olds doing baptisms; and getting asked if I'm endowed every time I go. It's a bit rough but I have to remind myself this is still amazing work, and for any other work in the Temple to be done, baptism must come first. It's really special. The Temple is such a humbling place, it makes me forget my complaint of not having been endowed when I go.

I know what is inside the Temple. I know what awaits me. But.... do you want to know the BEST thing about the temple?

It will ALWAYS be there.

The temple isn't going anywhere. The temple is eternity. The blessings which are inside, still await me and always will until I make it through. It will still be amazing, it will still be wonderful and spiritual and prolly the best experience of my life. And maybe the time for me to go isn't right now, or maybe it is. Whichever, the Temple will always be there for me, no matter how long it takes for me to enter in, readily making sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven.

So, to satisfy my current desire while I pray about it daily, I'm currently reading a book called Prepare Now for the Temple by Brittany Mangus. It really is one of the best books I could possibly read. She wrote it for sisters who are getting married or going on a mission, but still says this book is good to read if you're not doing either. She starts off the book by pointing out our desire to enter the Temple. Do we truly know the work we are doing? Are we truly prepared to enter in? It's just amazing and I'm grateful for this book.

So while I wait for my answer of when I can enter in, I will continue to enter, and do the work of baptism and know in my heart that no matter what I'm doing in the Temple, at least I'm at the Temple. It is where the Spirit dwells and I can receive answers to my prayers. I know these Temples to be the house of the Lord, and for those of you who are endowed, please continue to enter in his house. You will blessed immensely. It is the one place for escape from this world. I say this in his sacred name, Amen.