Happiest Day.

So... it has been awhile. Yep. Try a solid 10 months.
Life kind of happened, in the most unexpected, exciting way.
Do you remember that one time I started doing the challenge of 50 First Dates?
Some of you may know that I started dating a boy I met doing the 50 First Dates. You can read all about our first date {here}

I never, ever, ever would have thought that this   is the boy that I would end up with.

But Heavenly Father has a way of adjusting and tweaking our plans, don't get me wrong He likes us to make plans and have goals. But the big man always knows what is best and he will lead us down that path.

I have been fortunate enough, to date this guy for well over a year. Our first date was in May of 2012, I think that is when we started dating.. he begs to differ, he would say it was when we "officially" started dating, in September of that same year. 

Regardless of the amount of time, my heart is oh so happy that we did take that time to get to know each other. We have been through a ton and have been on so so many adventures together. 

Family Camping Trips

My friends date nights

His friends - trips to St. George and Lake Powell

Concerts

Jazz Games

Real Games

Movies

Hiking, lots of it

Christmas

Halloween

Birthdays

Job Changes

Semester, after semester, after semester.

The loss of loved ones.

Some health scares (on my part)

Now I get to call this guy mine forever. I love him with a different kind of love, I didn't know I was capable of. It is an unconditional kind of love and I know that is returned 100-fold. I am so blessed to have him in my life, he makes me better, he knows me way to well, and he is my best friend.

So in just a few short weeks. I am going to change my name. And I couldn't be happier.

I am seriously, one lucky girl.

Crusin' 2013

I haven't posted for in forever!!!  I have been pretty busy and promise to update everyone soon-ish.  So, the first update I would like to share is of the cruise, I went to the Caribbean with my friend Alison and a BUNCH of other LDS kids... there was about 400 of us total in our group along.  Seriously so so so so much fun, if you are wanting to get away from the cold.  Go on this cruise.

So here are some of my top favorite pictures of the cruise, enjoy!!!

Guys, I country dance... super legit.

Yes.. a sweet little 12 year old wooed me into shopping where ever he told me too, little Oscar.

Alison was willing to give the goods to get a ring for a lot cheaper.... this is just one of 4 kisses, one of which, was almost on the lips.

Getting on the boat!!!!!  {Alison, Me, and Whitney, our other cabin mate}

Just so perfect.

Cowboys and Indian Night.

We were prepared to re-inact the sting ray photo bomb.. instead we got the picture below. 

Evidently, I truly am afraid of sting rays.

This has to be the most awful picture of the trip.  Definitely my favorite.  It looks like we saw a train wreck or just finished a triatholon.

Me, Alison, Springer, Whitney, and Ashtyn.

Dolphin kisses. Pure Joy. 

Snorkeling in the Grand Cayman Islands,  so attractive.

The beaches in Honduras.

I seriously love this place... miss it, going back so soon.  

80's Night

Loved this guy, he is a doctor, he started coughing so we thought we would help him.  He totally appreciated it. 

Circle chairs with our best friend Dusty.. so magical.  Favorite spot on the boat. EVER.

Cabin Mates, all together.

Ugly Christmas Card Pictures 2012

 Every Christmas season our family does Ugly Christmas Card Pictures.

We are just that classy, 3 years running now.

My parents, brother in law, and my man even came to join us for them.

The wonderful, talented, super fabulous and sassy Missy Allen at Missy Allen Photography took these amazing pictures.  I love her and her photography, you can check it all out here.

Anywho, enjoy these few little lovies.

I know I did.. to the point of tears on my face.

My Madre and Padre.  Yeah my parents are way legit.  My dad even glued hair to his head. So Awesome.

Me.

Aubrey and my BIL, Tyson.

Liv

Josh

Gabster

And my most favorite-ist of me and my man... he makes my heart happy.  Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

"What really matters is that he will love you, that he will respect you, that he will honor you, that he will be absolutely true to you, that he will give you freedom of expression and let you fly in the development of your talents.  He is not going to be perfect, but if he is kind and thoughtful, he knows how to work and earn a living, if he is honest and full of faith, the chances are you will not go wrong, that you will be immensely happy.
-Gordon B. Hinckley

50 First Dates? Yeah... I might have failed.

So remember that one time I had the dare/challenge... nay, the priviledge of trying to go on 50 first dates in a year? 

Well, I almost made it, by the beginning of September I was a meer 9  away, yep.. only NINE.

But a funny thing happened along the way and I met a boy, a cute, wonderful, shy-man-boy.  Who makes my heart so happy. 

I think the best part is though.. I found him on my 50 first date challenge, you can read all abou that date {here.}

Although this boy was only date #29, he left an impression on me, so we kept seeing each other, definitely not alot, he is kind of brillant and in school all day, every day.  But we would text, see each other at church, go on dates, and hang out with his friends.

And as the timing would have it I realllly started to like him at the end of August and in the middle of September when he surprised me and took me to concert of a band I really like and had never been able to see and even made me a pb & j because he knew I would forget to eat.

He totally made my heart melt.

So me and this boy are dating {much more on him, but for a later date}I don't know if any of this would have happened had it not been for me putting myself out there and going on 50, 41 first dates.

But still the things I learned about myself and what I wanted were all worth it.

I have learned patience.

What I can handle in a relationship.

That if I truly want something, I can make it work.

I know I am of great worth and should be treated like a princess, I should be as much of a priority as I make them in my life. 

I loved and lost love.

What qualities in a boy/man I want.

Oh so funny people were met and I didn't care to be myself, because that is the best version of me.

It was a wonderful experience, I got LOADS of free food, new experiences.. yes there were dates I just wanted to end and others I hoped I would see them again. 

But through it I was able to gain a greater perspective on what I want and what I need to be for myself and that man/boy.

And that my friends made the journey all worth it.

Love.

Dang you Nicholas Sparks.

So... I am a bit peeved, I finished another Nicholas Sparks novel, you know, the new one.  {I am a sap for a romance and I wont deny it I love his books.}  So I read the "The Best of Me."
I hated it.
That is all I will say about it, that dang Nicholas Sparks never lets them to be together and if he does they have to face some tragic accident where they need to emotionally come together or deal with this heart ache.
I have read all but three of his books.. if you haven't read them I will warn you now, I am not giving anything specific to a certain book away but seriously?
There is a total of 17 books, I have read all but 3 of them.  Here is what I tallied up ready for this?
-In 5 of the books they don't end up together.
-1 main girl dies
-3 main guys die
-A Dad dies
-A dog dies
-Ex-husband dies
-LOTS of deaths prior to what is going on in the story
-In 11 of the books they are dealing from the heart ache of a losing a loved one whether it happened prior in the story or during the story.
-4 they keep in touch/fall in love through letters and only 1 of them end up together but that is years later and she didn't even get the letters.. so really out of the three who corresponed with one another, NONE of them ended up together.
-If they do end up together.. the chick or guy is running away from something in there past.
-And in 6 maybe seven of the books they actually end up together.  Lucky sons of guns.

So...in conclusion to my rant of his latest book.  I have a love/hate relationship with these books, but I guess he is just showing a far off taste of reality that relationships are hard work and regardless of the fact that you try to make it work, sometimes it doesn't.

So thank you Mr. Sparks for another reality check...

Date 41

So... this date I waited two years for.. here is a little back story as to why I waited 2 YEARS for a date.
So rewind to August 2010, I am a recent single, who has become a home body and my cute cousin Ashley started having me go Country Dancing with her.. it was a good way for me to get out there again without getting out there again.
Ash and I were just dancing away when these two guys came up to us asking us to dance.. Cade asked Ashley and so that left me with the other guy, Mr. C.
He had no idea how to country dance, I was the same way, so we were just out of control.  I was having so much fun, this guy had to be at least 25.  So we sat and started talking for awhile after and Mr. C told me how he was leaving on his mission next Wednesday (mind you, it was Thursday at this time.)  So I said, wait how old are you?  Mr. C told me 19.. I was freaked out, this boy was 2 years younger then me and I guess in return he thought I was 18.  So we decided I was going to go to his farewell and write while he was on his mission.  Yep, just like that we decided it.  We were going to be best buds.
We talked non stop till his farewell, I was there till dark that Sunday and then the next day we went boating.  I said goodbye not sure what the next two years would hold but thinking I might see Mr. C again.   We wrote his whole mission, but after him making comments about hating my ugly Christmas cards because it creeped him out writing didn't come as often and then he thought I got married.  He later apologized for the Christmas Card comments (Nicholas Sparks hit it on the nose.. nothing ever works when you try to keep in touch writing letters.)
So he got home, I couldn't believe that he was home, he asked me to come to his homecoming, so I went it was good to see him.  But he was SOOOOOOO awkward.  We didn't talk much at his homecoming the rest of his family was way more excited to see me then he was. 
It also proabably had to do with the fact two days after getting home, him and his ex-girlfriend were already back together.
So I wrote him off, I was never going to speak or see Mr. C again, which was fine, yeah, I was disappointed after a two years of writing and all I got was a hi and thanks for coming.. yep.. good seeing you to pal.
But alas, this is not the end of the story quite yet.. I got a call from a random number and a text, come to find out it is Mr. C calling to see if I could go on a date.  But since I didn't answer his call or his text (I was already on a date, I wasn't going to answer the phone) he had to ask someone else.   NBD.  Didn't really care...
So a few weeks later he asked me to do something again, this time I said yes we were going to do dinner and I was going to help him pick out clothes.. YES, I was so excited to dress a recently returned missionary.
So he came and got me and we went to Cafe Rio.. the conversation kind of struggled in the beginning, it was me asking alot of questions him answering.. but never any questions in return.  Finally as the shopping started we both started to relax, he told me he hated my hair when it was shorter.. which I really at this point didn't care, he was entitled to his opinion.  But he then opened it up to me telling him anything.. like an evaluation. (This wasn't the first time though, when he asked me out for the date I called him out on treating me like crap at his homecoming.) So I told him straight up, he had not asked me once what I had been up to, yeah we wrote for two years but he didn't know everything, he agreed he hadn't. 
So then his questions started coming, it was comfortable hanging out with him.. but I had/have experienced alot in the last two years.. our levels of maturity and where we were in life were on complete different pages. Our date ended with a hug at the door after lots of shopping and me helping him totally look good. He is so welcome for my assistance.
It was good to see him, good to go out with him and good to have the door shut behind me.  I have no regrets, I enjoyed writing him.. he was the first missionary I have ever written the full two years, it was an accomplishment.  But I am glad that is where that story ended.. there is so much better for ME out there. Not saying he is a bad person, just someone better for me.

Date 40

Seester lined me up on this date, it was one of those we had been planning on since she married m BIL.  This was one of Tyson's really good friends.. who happened to see my at my sister and BIL's wedding.  He wanted to go out and I was totally up for it.
So he came and got me we went and got some a-ma-zing sushi chatted it up. Got frozen yogurt.  Then watched Ace Ventura while eating Arby's.  Yeah we ate alot.  It was wonderful.

Little Things the Make My Heart Happy.

-That boy somehow finding a way to text me while he is working in the Phillipines, just to say hello.

-When going walking EARLY in the morning with my Mom and just having Mommy Daughter Heart to Hearts, perfectly skies, LOTS of stars.

-Curly Hair days.

-Pulling out my leggings with fleece.. on the inside!!!  It is fall, almost.. I can feel it!!

-Pumpkin flavor everything.

-Cruises, can January please get here sooner?!!!!

-Going to the Temple, I love love love that place, I have such a testimony of the great and spacious building and the work that goes on there.  Families are forever, I am grateful to be part of a forever family.

-Heinrick.

-People who tell me I have a Utah Accent

-Attending school and institute.. continuing my education has been the scariest and most rewarding decision.  I am so excited/nervous/unsure/happy about school, here it goes to the next four years!!!

Date 39

One of my very best friend's and her husband wanted to line me up with a guy who goes by Dragon.. I was totally up for it.  I just wanted to have a good time and it was an added bonus I got to play with my bestie.

So we met up and went out for sushi.. you know when you can tell something is off, that there is no interest there?  Yeah that was happening on this date.  Don't get me wrong Dragon was.. nice.  He liked to make everyone laugh, but he didn't really care to talk to me.  I was trying to make conversation and get to know the guy I am on a date with.

After dinner we were supposed to go to Boondocks, but unfortunately since we finished dinner so late it was closed, we drove around for a bit and ended up at my besties house.  Right when we pulled up to the house, Dragon's phone started ringing and he picked it up.. that was an awkward moment.. which I tried to brush off as not a big deal.. but it happened three more times.  Which he then picked up the phone every time.  {He said it was for work because he works for a congressman.}

So after the fourth call and the "sneaky reading of texts" he said he had to go and was so sorry.  So we both left at the same time that night.. when Dragon and I were walking out.. he said he was sorry and he knew it would be a busy night and so he shouldn't have said yes to the date.  To which I replied your fine remember your a big deal {he kept saying that through dinner, funny, but now I used it sarcastically.}"o it is understandable how you would need to keep answering your phone on a date." He said something along the lines of being a big deal and about his pontiac... and so I finished up with saying "Well yeah, I mean you kept looking at your text messages trying to be sneaky."  Apparently he didn't realize I caught him on that.. so he asked "You saw that?"  and I said "Yeah.. it isn't hard to miss."  He apologized again gave me a hug and said maybe we can do this again sometime.  I smiled, nodded my head and walked to the car.

And that my friends, was the first date in this WHOLE series I can say right away I knew without a doubt this was the worst dates. 

Date 38

Another guy from my singles ward.. he went to BYU Idaho when it was Rick's.. yeah a bit back in the day.  {That was the only clue he gave me to figure out his age.}  Mr. M is a whoot.  This is to document our first date, but we have actually been on three now.

For our date we went to Panda Express, just to pick up something really fast before we went to the game... yeah we went to a football game.  It was pretty exciting especially seeing it was Jordan High School football y'all!!!  Haha I had not been to a game since.. um... high school!!  But Mr. M and his dad go to the games all the time so he wanted to take me and show me what the excitement was about.  It was a really good game, so much excitement.. there was a fire in the furnace room at East High so the game ended a bit soon. See what I told you?  Exciting!!!!

After the game we went and got frozen yogurt and chatted... it was a good date with good company!!!!

State Fair

Oh the State Fair, it has been my dream to go for quite some time now.  So last night I rounded up Chris {C not J} and Bohme to come with me.  When we were pulling up to park at the State Fair, the boys asked me if the State Fair was trashy.  Which I replied, "No, I think it is kind of trendy now, not so much trashy."

NO. LIE.  I took ten steps from my car and some drunk guy is peeing on a car.  Chris and Bohme then asked me, "So... remember that one time you said it was trendy and not trashy."  Yeah.. I might have been mistaken.  

But don't worry the classiness of the fair only continued throughout the evening, including a man drinking a jug of tampico of which he informed us was filled with vodka and pineapple flavoring.  Classy sir, truly classy.

But I still loved it, I sadly never got my deep fried treats.  But I got to ride the rides which I laughed so hard I cried.  Completely wonderful.  Until next year Mr. Fair.

Reason 6,569 that I love the temple:  There soap smells like pina colada.

I watched it...

Last night I watched the GOP Republican Convention last night.  Seriously, I loved it.. watching history in the making, it made me giddy.  I have the opportunity to make a decision, to help shape my future.  Usually I am not one to go around preaching my political views, I have mine, I stand by them, and believe in them.  And I have never felt it necessary to rub it in others faces.
BUT on this occassion I have to admit that I honestly was moved to tears by some of the people who spoke.  I already have read alot on the new republican candidate Mitt Romney, but hearing even more stories, from the horses mouth was so impressive.  And did anyone else catch the opening prayer on Thursday night?  The guy was totally LDS and set such a lovely tone for the night.. yeah.. not everyone did amazing, but some speechs were phenominal.
Although some people didn't feel Mitt Romney got his point across I felt he did a good job, I believe in what he is about and I have seen what he has accomplished for so many various things in our country.  So here are so highlights I hearted, oh so much. 

There were tons more.. I am a sap and totally cried, the spirit was felt at this convention I am sure.  Probably something that most have never felt before... regardless of if Mitt Romeny wins or not, he has made an impact for the better.

Tilby Manor - Weekend Adventure

I have the best friends in the world.
Adventures Galore.
Food.
Tubing the Weber River.
Sleeping on the deck.

The famous quotes.

"I was born in the darkness"

"Where's the trigger?'

{The protocol of what to tell an intruder}

"Call him DB"

Mr. Chris C in the middle of the night waking me up telling me that something had grabbed his blanket.

Me waking him up as well to tell him that I heard something in the bushes.

The Weber River was epic.

Running into trees.

Trying to save each other.

Me and BJ almost getting swept up by the river, but thanks to Ben {Brooke got lucky with this guy.}  He saved us.   Your my hero Ben.

Going through crazy rapids.

Shoulder Kiss

Michelle's picture {I completely stole it}

I have the most amazing friends in the world.

We had some bonding in the cabin.

It was needed.  I love these girls with all my heart.

We are bonded in the weirdest and most wonderful ways.

Here is to 10 years.

I can't wait to see where the next 10 years take us.

Loves ladies.

Oh Happy Birthday!!!

As my birthday approached, I wasn't looking forward to the number coming with it..... I know some might think I have no room to complain, I mean, I was/am only 23.  But my birthday came and went and it was absolutely wonderful, I honesty am humbled at the amount of love that was shown to me.  It meant the world to me and made me actually look forward to this year and wear the new age of 23 proudly.

I like to think that I had a weekend celebration for my birthday.... it started out with a early morning walk followed by a cupcake for breakfast.. yeah chocolate peanut butter cupcake.  It was so worth it, {note to all, I have NO regrets of how much I ate on my birthday.. it was A-LOT}

When I came up to go walking in the morning, the upstairs was decorated with a banner of my name and a streamer.  My little sister Gabby is the official decorator of Birthday's... so in addition to the decorations I received a custom homemade poem/saying from Gabby, yep folks it is an original.

I spent half of my day at work, the lovely girls there thought it was a good idea to suran-wrap my desk, computer, keyboard, phone..etc.  And as time would have it, I needed to check three patients in.  We had bagels for breakfast, chocolate rum cake {my favorite} Cafe Zupas for lunch, then to top it off my oh so cute sister brought me a Jamba Juice.. a tradition done yearly by her.. I heart her so much.

Following a day of "hard work" I went shopping with my Mom, some of the sibs, and Daniella, a foreign exchange student from Germany.. we went to the mall and found all sorts of little lovelies... I even grabbed some navy blue pink polka dot pants and mustard skinny jeans.  PP would be sooooo impressed.

After a few hours of shopping we ventured home where we got some Chin Wah to-go, we ate way to much and were going to burst out the seams.. so we took a small detore to opening some gifts and then even though we still were super full ate marzipan cake.  Which needless to say is the. best. cake. in. THE. world.

Then to top of the birthday weekend, one of my very best friends was married in the Draper Temple.. I literally was with her from sun up to sun down.  From doing her hair, seeing the sealing, helping with decorations, the luncheon, pictures, reception, catching the bouquet {straight up, second one this summer} then cleaning up the reception.  It was exhausting and wonderful, I loved it oh so much.

 It was a wonderful weekend filled with happiness and love and completely joy and sassiness.   Thank you to all who made my birthday so very special, there are to many to name just know I love you and appreciate you being in my life more then anything else.  You have made all the difference.