I'd say we make a dang cute couple..

 Guys Kimbry did such a good job on our engagements. I loved it. 

We had a blast taking these, and we love every single one!!

Some of these should be ones that aren't on facebook. So They're a little random. 

 This boy is my best friend. My everything.

 Being around him is like being complete!!

We never stop having fun together. Really. 

 Haha. I love him!

 This is just him keeping me warm. And looking good.

 Forever. [:

 I was quite terrified. He was excited. haha.

 You had to be there... haha

And this is just to show you how cute we looked haha!. We're awesome. 

Weddings are stressful and hard. But we are forever and everything about us is simple. 

So. It'll be worth it.!

Christmas crafts have begun. [:

I made a wreath! Ornaments and bow were all found at the dollar store. Then I got a Styrofoam circle from porters, and some tulle and made a snowy winter-y wreath. Super easy and not too expensive. Just thought I'd share with ya guys. [:

This is what happiness is.

 Credit: Jamie Jespersen

 Credit: Jamie Jespersen

I am extremely happy today.
Maybe its because I feel healthy again
Maybe its because my newly remodeled room is clean
Maybe its the smell of my favorite febreeze scent.  (spelling?)
Maybe its the fact I have so many decorating Ideas for our apartment
Maybe its that I love the ring on my left hand's ring finger [:
Maybe its that I found spotify and have listened to good music all day
Or maybe its just because I get Garth forever. [:

For whatever reason I am so blissfully happy. My photographer canceled on me and I don't even MIND! Garth and I are taking a trip to the thrift store, and we are going to bake something. I don't know what yet. Then I'm going to get ahead on some homework.

Mostly I just want to share a thought with all of you.
I was thinking last week all about my life (big surprise I know...I'm always self-reflecting) , how much its changed, and what all my plans for myself have been. Its funny where your plans meet with reality. I'm so very happy right now, and so incredibly content. However, in all honesty, Garth was not part of the plan. Its funny how little we know ourselves compared to how well our heavenly father knows us. So grateful his plans are what happened in my life. I mean don't get me wrong, my plans were great. I would have been very successful. But I'm also learning I would have been miserable. This path makes me so much more happy, and feel so much more fulfilled. I just didn't know that then. Thats the great thing about the gospel. When you live it, you can feel a sense of direction in your life. And when you find a path, its not that you're letting go of anything you want or sacrificing your own needs, its that you're simply discovering something you want more, and need for your personal happiness. Grateful for a heavenly father who knows me and was looking out for me. Grateful for parents who taught me to rely on him and to never settle. Grateful for a fiance who is more than I could ever dream for myself. Grateful for siblings who are the only friends I have ever really needed in this life. And grateful for the opportunity to grow as life keeps going!

Loving life guys. Hope you are too. [:

Sicky

So its been quite an interesting week here in Rexburg
Started it off on Sunday with kyles talk at church and the linger longer after.
My roommate was sick that day and threw up twice so we just had a Lord of the Rings movie night that night.
Monday was class as usual.
Tuesday I worked and then I stayed up till 5am catching up on hw because I wanted time to focus on wedding stuff..So all my homework was done till Friday!
Then Wednesday I kept planning on sleeping but instead I rearranged my room did some group work and went apartment shopping. Garth and I signed a contract for a cute little two bedroom apartment (: so excited Haha. Then I had enough time to go home and sleep for a bit before work. However when I woke up I  knew I was sick. So I hurried and made Garth dinner before I called in work. As soon as I finished his tacos it was off to the bathroom.
Long story short I was throwing up from 6:30-2:00am. My lovely fiance counted 29 times. Lol. I'm sharing this because I want to express gratitude for Garth. After seeing me run to the bathroom and hear me throw up many times, to watching me crawl to the bathroom, all the way to eventually just holding a bowl for me as I became more and more dehydrated he still comes around! Haha. He even took me to the hospital at 2 and held me while I threw up in the middle of the ER. then he listened to them talk about my digestive system and cramps for a good 10 minutes and watched as they hooked me up to the IV. Then he drove me home..got me a gatorade, some sprite, and water. Plugged in my heat pad and tucked me in bed at about 4am. Such a sweet boy. Glad he still loves me after seeing me at my worst.

Today...all day

Today it rained...all day.
Today I walked everywhere ...all day.
I woke up early to actually spend time on my hair only to realize when I left that I should have just left the bed head and slept in. The never ending breeze and big drops of h20 invented a hairstyle all their own.
In my first class, with the teacher I despise, I actually defended the teacher I despise. One student would not stop arguing about pointless things in the reading. I finally had to raise my hand and politely point out all the ways he had been wrong. I also wanted to teach him that to win any argument you must come up with something better than stating the same point in various orders and sentence styles. However I refrained... and I don't think he was mad at me. The teacher, whom I despise, smiled at me though. (:

This weekend we get engagement pictures. Cross your fingers the rain stops and my cold goes away! Wedding planning continues slowly but surely. And house hunting inches ahead slower than a snail. But progress is progress my friends.

I still have the best fiance. He eats at my house everyday even when I'm too busy to cook with him...and never complains. Hes also brought me flowers not once...but twice!! Love him a lot a lot. (:

Anyhow just felt like writing for a bit..hopefully soon I will have engagements!!

Love the Gospel.

    Answers to prayers come in such funny ways. Seems like when I'm praying about something I want right now and feel pressed for time, God wants to teach me patience. Then when I'm praying to love someone but willing to take little baby steps he hits me with a brick and makes me change immediately. Funny how that works. Glad he knows what he's doing, because I sure don't.

I have so much to do. HW. FHE planning. Honey moon. Storage Unit. Work. Center Pieces. Find a place to live in the winter..oh and try to have a social life. [:

Don't worry I'm starting on the homework right AFTER this. I just wanted to give a little snippet of my favooorriiiteeee talk from the Relief Society Conference, and tell you all I canNOT wait for conference this weekend. Not just to go see everyone in logan but also because I just LOVE conference. Yeah yeah yeah. [:

So Here it goes: Uchtdorf never ceases to make me cry.
He spoke about the flowers called "Forget me Nots" And how for every one of the 5 petals there is something we women shouldn't forget.
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.
   Often we compare ourselves to others, usually we see our weaknesses and their strengths. We have to learn that one day we will be perfect, but TODAY we need to stop punishing ourselves.
2. Forget not the difference of good sacrifice vs. bad sacrifice
   Staying up late to prepare a talk is important. But MAYBE staying up late to hand stitch each sisters initial in handmade pot holders for your lesson isn't important lol
3. Forget not to be happy now.
   We tend to wait for our golden ticket, and we put our happiness on hold. Keep the righteous desires and wishes of your heart, but also remember to just stop and be happy.
4. Forget not the WHY of the gospel.
   Usually we know the how and the what, but we're promised that if we remember the WHY our lives will be enriched. He said the gospel is not an obligation, it is a pathway.
5. Forget not that the Lord Loves you


Beautiful!

Its just a Good day.

Oh College. Gotta love it.
Still miss the Fam.. but for me that just never goes away. Love them way too much.
Garth gave me flowers last week when he got a job and they are still very much alive and very beautiful. All shades of purple. My favorite color and the color of my room! Whatta thoughtful guy [:
This week has been kind of busy, this has been the first day I haven't felt I was going from thing to thing. Its the first day I haven't worked. Work is really nice for me because it gives me a chance to stop thinking about all the things on my to do list and just think about present tense. Although last night I started reading my English assigned poems at 7 and was still reading at 11:30 so that was kinda lame. Gotta love being an English major. There's only one normal guy in my class and it just so happens he is getting married the same day as me and going on his honeymoon the same days, possibly to the same place. haha. (Garth and I have 2 options and haven't chosen yet.) Hoping to this weekend. Still need to find a house and a storage unit.

But today I got a break from hw and went and helped Garth clean his house for clean checks and then I went running. I have made it a goal that since I can't run on Tuesday Wednesday and Sunday I will be on the treadmill for at least an hour the other days. Hopefully all goes well timing wise! Today was the first day and I already love it. Its a shame I don't have more than an hour to devote to that. But now I need new running shoes. I've had them forever and my feet are starting to feel it.

Tomorrow is the first day this semester that Garth and I get to go to Ballroom dancing class. [: Just something fun to do. Plus thats how his parents met, so I figure its kinda cute.. haha. So excited!!
And tonight I get my new temple recommend (mine expired) So sometime this coming week I will find time to go with Garth for sure! He works a kind of funky schedule, usually having long breaks in the middle of the day. Then he goes back to work at 4 until 8. But its nice because I usually get to see him for lunch, and then when I close he picks me up from work at 11:45 after he's done playing basketball. [:

We're cute. I know. haha.
Can't wait to be married and not have to live with anyone messy or moody or who takes long long long showers! It will be a nice simplicity that I'm looking forward to.

Keep your fingers crossed I can get my shift covered next friday and go see the family in LOGAN! [:
And also go to Salt Lake and do some bridesmaid dress scoping.
Thanks!

"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.."

Being an English major means a lot of reading. I don't think I care if I ever read another poem, and the Unit just started. The one I liked today was by Shakespeare all about how love is constant and doesn't change even when everything around it does.

So far this semester hasn't been too bad. Roommates are pretty cool. Really enjoying having my own room and living down the hall from my best friend. College would be boring without Jamie. I got pretty stinking lucky meeting her a year ago. She's even going to take my engagement pictures!! Speaking of the wedding I have to keep reminding myself to keep looking and planning wedding things! I'm so very ready to be married to Garth, it is not even funny. However, I'm not so into the planning. Thinking about it and homework and social life is a little much. I don't feel like there hasn't been one night this semester that I haven't done SOMETHING. Even if it was just cuddling on the couch with Garth to a movie. I'm enjoying the workload, its manageable but still enough to push me. I keep reminding myself why I chose this major. I LOVE IT. So long as I don't procrastinate its not too overbearing.Garth and I have made a lot of meals we both have never tasted. We started out with chicken curry over rice which is actually one of my favorites. But we've made a breakfast casserole (which supplied breakfast for many people for quite some time) a spaghetti casserole, some cookies, we just had a sunday pot roast and potatoes, we make breakfast a lot because its my favorite and last time we made homemade hashbrowns. Its been yummy. But its a good thing I have a treadmill here. Running has become a necessity. [:

I really miss my family and good old Colorado. Its the best place on earth, and I have the best family. My momma is one of my very best friends and I can't wait to see her soon. I'm looking for some good Christmas crafts (yes already) for my sister and I to both do. Its tradition. Any ideas let me know!
Missing Tink as well. CANT WAIT FOR THE DINNER!! [:

Anyways I still have the best Fiance ever if youre all wondering. You should probably be jealous of how many times I have had a foot massage this semester. Yeppers. Love him.

Making my room stylin!

So because I'm living in an apartment and can't paint my wonderful Fiance and I decided to get a wee bit creative!! I went and bought cheap fabric, heat adhesive paper, and found a pair of scissors!

Super cheap. All you do is:

lay out the fabric on a hard surface

Iron on the adhesive paper to the fabric (follow instructions on package)

Make sure you don't get it too hot, to check it shouldn't be sticking to whatever is below the fabric

Draw or trace the design you want

Cut it out

Garth and I then re-ironed everything to make sure the adhesive was sticking

Peel of the paper backing

And iron it on the wall!

I did peel of one leaf just to check and it comes off clean! 

[: 

Thanks to my lovely fiance for drawing the branch!

 Thinking about putting DREAM Below it off to the right

 The birds are my favorite part!!!

And now he is drawing a temple to put up on his own wall

All i can say is our future home is going to look awesome. 

[:

I can't help myself...

I can't help myself. 

Its fitting I'm marrying my best friend in the Winter. 

I love Christmas!

And there's only about 14 weeks. [:

SO excited to be married

and to celebrate the Holiday with Garth. 

AH!

My Girls

I just love these girls so much so I had to! 

[: 

 

Maid of Honor: Anna 

Bridesmaid: Jamie Lyn

 

 Bridesmaid: Kelsey Woodhouse

Bridesmaid: Tink

Everything is wrapping up!

        Here goes the last week of my life as a child! Super weird. Never again will I live with parents and rules! How weird is that? I'm nervous but I'm excited. Its going to be a really good semester. And I'm gonna have a lot of time to cook before I'm actually married.. which is good I need the practice.
              I've been doing a lot of reflecting this week. Its always interesting to have the opportunity to look back and see how life has shifted and how you have grown. I remember in high school always fighting with my mom. It took finally dating a boy she approved of for me to realize how much I could actually talk to her. Even though things with that boy ended in the craziest way she was still there for me, and she showed me that she'd been in my shoes. That's when I started to see my mom as my friend, not just a lady who gave me rules. I grew up with a brother who has always made everyone laugh. He was always really goofy and a little mischievous. Then he went on his mission and now he's just goofy. I know he has a good heart, probably the best heart there is. I think sometimes I lose sight of that because we are siblings and we pick on each other and when he was on his mission it was easy to picture he and I being all each other needed. I forgot that I'm a girl, and hes a boy, and we are siblings. Siblings get sick of each other, they pick on each other, and as a brother he has to be around at the moments I don't want him to be, and as a sister I have to be too emotionally involved in everything for him. I think while he was on a mission I forgot about all those natural dynamics, so its been a rough adjustment for me to make. My little sister is the coolest. She's going through a lot of growing lately so she's got those girly moods. However, in high school I told her every single thing about me. I never lied to her because I never wanted her to hear something and feel like she didn't know her own sister. I always wanted her to feel like we were open with each other and like she could tell me things. She knows my weaknesses, she knows my mistakes, and my triumphs. She knows what makes me happy, and she knows how far I have come. I will always love that bond we have, and I can't wait til she starts to realize just how much she is worth. I have always thought that is the best thing to provide for someone- a knowledge of their worth. I remember that's when I began to love being in Young Women's. I made it a goal to try to help the girls learn just how precious a righteous young woman is because I think that is a lesson that is taught less and less often today. Its funny to reflect on my relationship with Anna because although we spent so much time together young she's been gone for so long its just what is familiar. She taught me to love music, and she gave me my sarcasm. She's also taught me to be tough. To not be down for too long. I'm glad she's my older sister, and I know we will always be close.
I have always been a big reflector but these last six weeks I've been inside my own head so much trying to take everything in! I will admit I have been so stressed! Making the decision to totally let go of being a kid is scary. But in those moments I just have to remember that I'm engaged to my best friend. Who makes me laugh more than I ever have with anyone. I will always get to be like the second grader who gets butterflies when a boy looks at her when I'm married to him. 
And because of that, I know I can let go of those fears! [:

I'm really excited for Rexburg! I will be with my fiance everyday forever now. The long distance is finally coming to an end, and never coming back. The next chapter is slowly beginning!

A Weekend with the boy I love!

My fiance flew in on Friday night! I was so anxious all day. And then his flight was delayed. So Finally at about midnight I got to see him! And of course the rest of the weekend, I knew, would be pure bliss

[:

We got about a total of 11 hours of sleep over the whole weekend, minus our occasional naps. 

Saturday we got up nice and early to go to my Bridal shower! 

Then we spent 6 hours shopping and registering. It was a long day.

But it was so much fun to register with him! Everyone kept telling me he wouldn't enjoy it and it 

wouldn't matter if he was there because he's a male and won't have an opinion. But I have the best

man ever, and he spent hours just planning and picking things with me, and was just as excited as I was. And even though it hurt his color blind eyes, we picked all our colors for our home. haha. [:

He was a trooper, and made it the best day ever. I was crying on the way home we were laughing so hard. Then we took a short nap, got up and got all ready for our double date. We went with Tina and her boyfriend Colton. We couldn't go until about 10 because they work so we just went to Apple Bee's for appetizers and then came to my house and played Disney Scene it and ESPN scene it. It was fun. Especially to see them together, and have them meet my future husband. Tina is becoming my buddy who acts like a wife with me. Although she's not getting married yet we both always talk about home decor, our men, and marriage. haha. OH and cooking. I love it. And love her. So grateful she's on of the bridesmaids! I have a total of 4. Perfect number.

Anyhow, then Sunday we went to church and spent the day with the family.

Took the usual Sunday nap, made grilled cheeses, and played some checkers. 

Unfortunately Garth won once and I won once so -- we tied. 

Then Monday was another day full of stuff. 

We got up and went and picked up Ryan Powers from the dealership. 

Garth lifted and I got ready. 

Then we went to Boondocks. (We'd been wanting to go Go Carting)

We went Go carting first (And I beat him both times) --after he bragged about 

how he would annihilate me.

Then we did the bumper boats. 

This is the before picture.

 And you can't really tell but this is me soaked after

Garth is much more soaked than I am. I won 

again. haha. 

My squirt gun was angled in a way that

it just DRILLED him in the head

I was dying of laughter.

 This is us post being soaked. 

Kinda scary looking. 

Lots of mascara ran into my eyes. lol

Then we played putt putt. Garth beat me by a STROKE. Lame. 

Then, we did all the arcade games. Which.. I beat him at. Except we tied in air hockey.

It was such a fun and somehow relaxing day. I wouldn't have had fun with anyone else

like I did with him.

We just laugh together. I love it. 

And even after being drenched and no longer having any make up on, and my hair doing its fro-ish thing. He STILL made me feel absolutely beautiful. 

Whatta Keeper!

Then we came home and watched family home videos upon Garth's request. He was pretty excited. 

We got to watch the video of my dance recital where I hated my tutu and instead of dancing I just scratched the whole time. 

Then we made Jamaican Pulled Pork. It was really different.. but we were successful. The meat was so gooood! The sauce was just a little sweet. It has orange juice, jam, and mustard in it. But it was pretty good. Then, sadly, I had to take him to the airport. I hate to see him go. But when I was walking away from the security line he yelled my name, and I turned around thinking "oh no what did we forget"

And he just yelled "You're beautiful". 

[: So glad I get to marry the best man on this planet. 

It was a really good weekend. SOON I get to see him daily in Rexburg. 

2 weeks til then!

129 til the wedding. 

Long time. But it'll go by fast.

Bridal Shower

Cambria, Barrie, Me, Sharon. 

Barrie and Sharon are the wonderful ladies that planned the perfect bridal shower for me!

I go back to school on the 5th of September and I won't be home again until about a Week before Christmas and my wedding. So we decided it would be best to try to have it now, so that is why I had it so early. So we had a shower at 9:30 am on Saturday morning. Bagels, muffins, and breakfast casserole. Made me perfectly happy because breakfast is my favorite thing. Especially poppy seed muffins, bagels, and scrambled eggs. I am so grateful for everyone who attended and made it special. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and it helped it sink in that I'm actually getting married. (:

 This was the most awkward to open in front of ladies

(thanks Jamie)

Box of Lovin from my bridesmaid Jamie Lyn

(:

We played a game where I was to fill out answers to how I thought Garth would answer questions about himself. And he did the same for me. 

I was asked things like how tall would Garth say he is, what are his favorite foods, and all sorts of fun things. He did really really well. Knows me super well!
Everyone was very impressed. [:

 We are in our wedding colors!!

Thank you everyone for such a wonderful day! And I LOVE all my gifts. 

SO exciting to be getting all these things for my future home!

Home Home Home!

Its been a while since I've been able to make a post! I've been home in Colorado now for a little over a week which means this was the first weekend in months that I haven't seen Garth. Its been kind of weird communicating over text, lots of skype, and the phone. Our schedules don't really line up very nicely so its a little more difficult to really get a chance to talk. Its my summer break so I go to bed a lot later, and wake up later too. Saturday is usually a good day because we both have a chance to be up late or sleep in, and on the same schedule.
It feels like its been much longer than a week! I met with the caterer, and the place we're having the reception. I looked into table cloths and center pieces, and I even had the lady come look at the dress. I'm planning on wearing my Mom's dress, just revamping it a little. But this week I'm going to go look at some other dresses to make sure its what I want-- being as I have never tried on wedding dresses! And I have to make sure that neckline is going to look okay. Its hard to picture what it will look like altered so I'm going to go try on some of the things she said she could do. Its all pretty exciting, and its tough! Making lots of decisions lately..which I alwayyys hate doing. Especially by myself! I also registered at just one place for a few things because we are trying to figure out the best timing for my bridal shower.. and just in case I need to be registered at least SOMEWHERE. Can't wait til Garth is here to help me make some decisions. [:
But I've been busy busy busy!

I got to visit with Tink
Spend lots of time with the Fam
(We are watching all the Harry Potters too!)
See Max and Pete a couple times

and Tomorrow I get to see Anna and Tink at our traditional Mimis date. [:
The first week day home I was so ready and excited to go to the gym and to get wedding stuff done.. only to wake up at 5 a.m. sick and throwing up. So even though I got a lot done last week THIS week is the week gym and outdoorsy stuff gets to start. I went on a bikeride last week, but it just made me sicker. Hopefully all works out.. being as I don't have a car here. -_-
So pool for the first time this year today!
And I have decided that I'm going to make a Minkee quilt.
I don't really like the look of quilts so its just going to be a strip quilt, but it will be really cute and just fun to make. Still looking for that skirt pattern my mom has, to make myself one. But we will see.
As soon as I get time and a car it will be on to the scrap booking store to scrap book my Fiance's mission! Super excited to finally be starting, got the first batch of pictures today!
I have a couple tall candle stick holders I want to make, but I don't know how much time I'm going to have for everything so, gotta take it one step at a time.
ALSO I see my best friend Thursday!! Super duper excited about that.
Hope you're all enjoying the end of your Summer Vacations!
Mine has just begun! [:

Haha So glad I'm on break. I'm loving it.
Sorry for the play by plays.. this is essentially my journal so just bare with me [:

This is who Garth uses to replace me as far as cuddling goes:

Miss this boy!

Finals Week

So its finals week, which means a mixture of packing, spending too much money on food because we don't want to take time to make it or grocery shop, studying, falling asleep while reading, and a lot of exams. I'm in the process of doing what I like to call organized packing. Boxes of what stays and what goes, what I can pack now what must be packed later, those kinds of things. Packing is one of my least favorite things to do. Its these moments that I begin to envy Mary Poppins.

     As the semester comes to a close though you can't help but look back at it and think about how you spent your time. Most of my semester was spent packing and unpacking. Catching up on sleep and homework on Mondays and sleeping in and getting all dolled up Fridays. Friday-Monday morning I was usually around my fiance. He proposed this semester.. that was a definite highlight. Its been interesting to see how much has changed since then. Its like I have my family, my soon to be family, my future husband, and my best friend Jamie and I'm not really looking for anyone else. Being around them is a complete feeling, so I don't feel the desire to go searching for that in anyone else around this campus. Next semester will be complete. I will have Jamie Michelle Kyle and Garth all in one wonderful location. Plus it starts to snow and get Christmasy here next semester which always puts a smile on my face. I love fall clothing, and I love the snow! (only before Christmas..after it can leave).
But this Christmas I will be going through the temple and being sealed to the most wonderful man on this planet! I will also be celebrating will all my friend In Colorado, and all his family and friends in Iowa. I will also be able to escape the cold and head to the beach for my honeymoon!

 

Yeah! [:

This weekend I actually got a new engagement ring. You see we'd had a lot of trouble with a couple places when It came to sizing. Problems with discoloration, a warped band, too small all sorts of things. We got pretty frustrated and finally decided we just wanted to start over. So we actually went and picked out a whole new one, and because they were the ones who ruined it they let us do an exchange. Here are a couple pictures from the weekend.. I'll post pictures of the ring as soon as its sized! 

Garth was wearing his dads old suit. haha. 

Oh PS. These are pretty much the colors I want. Just so you all know. [: